Page 14 of The Curve
3
Atticus
Okay, she’s impressive. That’s an understatement. Yesterday was a great day, not because of the setting and the cause, not just because all the kids were happy. It was the company I kept. It was the most fun I’ve ever had just talking with someone one on one. She’s interesting and complex. Her questions thoughtful. She listened intently to my stories, and when she talked about herself it felt genuine, like she was sharing things that had been hidden for years or buried with the passing of time. And not once did she look at her phone. She looked me in the eye. I could condense my impression into two words:Me likey.
There was no posing or preening to get my attention. She had it. It was as if I was talking to my best friend. We clicked. She’s got a magnetic personality, if that’s a thing. I don’t think I’ve ever described a woman that way. And then there was the crushing sexual tension that hung around us. Never have I wanted a woman so much.
I like the confidence she has. I guess when you’re alone you either get strong or wither. When you’re the mother, father and the grandparents to your child, it must be overwhelming. But I never got the sense she was crushed by the weight of the job.
There’s a depth and sweetness to her and Mallory’s relationship that makes it feel whole. Whatever she’s done to raise her has been done well.
When I tried to kiss her goodbye at the door she pulled back. That hadn’t happened before. She wasn’t about to change her original decision about how she sees our future. I’m notdating materialaccording to her. Is this for real?
Said she could only envision us as good friends. That way Mallory could keep me as her friend and wouldn’t have me coming in and out her life as a romantic interest might. And the fact she made a new friend in Paige complicates things further. Charlotte wants to preserve that connection.
Another kind of man would think he’s screwed and move on. But that’s a quitter’s mindset. I’m not going to take no for an answer. She doesn’t know I’m as stubborn as she is. When something I want is in sight I go after it until it’s mine. Going after Charlotte will be my mission. Without even one kiss I know this woman is something unique. And if it takes me till next year, so be it, because every beat of my heart says I gotta have her.
I’ve come up with this master plan to break her will. It almost makes me laugh thinking about it. Step one, thanks to Paige, was to call Mallory and get the information I wanted. When she and Paige exchanged numbers yesterday I had already started thinking about how I’d get her mother to see me differently. Although, I don’t really think that’s the problem. I sense she sees me that way already. A man can tell. I just need to chip away at her resolve. It was encouraging that when we talked, Mallory was on board and didn’t seem to mind the idea.
It’s all swimming in my head as I drive toward my first appointment with Ms. Bay. She doesn’t know it because I used an alias. Jack Dawson, Leonardo DiCapprio’s character’s name from her favorite movie,Titanic. She wasn’t the only one listening yesterday. I’m her twelve o’clock haircut.
There it is. I pull into the parking lot next to Corals Hair Salon, a small older looking building on the edge of downtown Memphis. Parking the car between a Ford Focus and an older Prius, I head for the front door. A tinkling bell sounds as I walk through. It’s a small room, with just four stylists chairs and a desk in front. Right away I spot Charlotte. Her back is to me, and she’s lining up her instruments. All the other eyes are on me. The two female hairdressers, their clients and the lone male who’s reading a magazine in the fourth chair. They recognize me. Maybe not the older woman having her hair sprayed, but the others.
The middle aged woman with big red hair, orange lipstick and long nails points a finger at me. “Hi there honey. I’m Coral. And we all know who you are!”
With that Charlotte turns. Her expression is priceless. Disbelief mixed with a little joy. She presses her lips together as if she’s trying to hold back a smile.
“Want a haircut? I’ve got an opening,” the guy says tossing the magazine to the top of the teetering pile next to him.
“Thanks, but I have an appointment with Charlotte.”
She looks at her book and smiles. “Come on back, Mr. Dawson. I’m ready for you.”
I head for her chair.
“Before you leave, think we can get some pictures?” the blonde with braids says as I pass.
“Sure. I think I’ve got some caps in the car. I could sign them for whoever wants one,” I offer.
“Could I get one for my grandson, honey? You’re his favorite Maverick player,” Coral says through the Bobbi pins in her mouth.
“No problem.”
“When you gonna be back playin’?” the dude says.
“Soon I hope.”
“We’ll be watching.”
“Thanks, man.”
I take a seat in front of where Charlotte stands and watch her in the mirror.
“Morning,” I say offering my best smile.
“Morning to you. This is a surprise.” Her eyebrows lift for emphasis.
She leans in and starts touching my hair. Running her hands over the back of my head, feeling the texture. Wow. When her fingers brush the skin on my neck my dick jumps.
