Page 44 of New Growth
I made it back to the salon, my heart still beating a little too fast.
My mind was in tatters because I couldn’t believe I’d agreed to…a date?I hadn’t gone on a real date in years.
Dating required trust. And trust? I wasn’t sure I had it in me to give it to a man anymore.
El seemed nice enough. But wasn’t that how it always started? They lure you in with a false sense of security—then, before you know it, they’re sleeping with your sister while you’re too busy grieving your dead father.
Chill.
I was getting ahead of myself. It was just coffee. Barely even qualified as a date. Just a casual way to get to know the mystery man who shared my name… and my taste for chocolatey caffeinated drinks.
Esther spotted me as soon as I walked in. “Finally! Girl, I thought you got lost.”
“I got held up.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You good? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I forced a laugh. “Ha. I’m good. Here.” I handed her the bag of desserts she’d requested.
“Yes!” She dug through the bag, pulled out a wrapped treat, and immediately took a bite of the pound cake, groaning in satisfaction.
“Mm, she does put crack in here,” she muttered, then turned her attention back to me. “You sure you okay?”
I hesitated. “Yes, I am.”
But was I?I felt off. Unsteady. Like something was set in motion that I wasn’t ready for.
I turned back to my workstation, pretending to focus on setting up for my next appointment. But my hands were slow and distracted, and my thoughts tangled. After a while, I discretely pulled out my flask and tipped a little into my coffee, watching the liquid swirl together before I took a slow sip, letting the warmth settle.
“Let’s get some work done,” I said firmly.
Introduction.
Iwasn’tsurewhyI had agreed to this.
I knew I wasn’t ready to date. Hell, apparently I wasn’t ready to get up early for coffee either.
Well, that wasn’t entirely true.
Despite my downing a bottle of wine last night, I still managed to get up on time. But instead of my usual routine, I lingered in front of the mirror, applying a light layer of makeup. It wasn’t much—just enough to smooth out my complexion, brighten my eyes, and make me feel like I had my life together.
My wardrobe choices followed the same logic. Instead of my usual salon attire, which was spotted with stray bits of hair product, I pulled out a clean, structured black work uniform with the EL’evations logo on it. All of it finished off with a neat hair bun, polished off with the good hair sheen we used on clients that I snatched up from the salon yesterday.
I didn’t know why I was doing it. Well, I did know why. I just didn’t want to admit it.
“Woah! You look very professional, E!” Esther’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts as she leaned against the kitchen counter of our shared townhouse, eyes sweeping over my outfit. “Local news visiting the shop again?”
I waved her off, forcing a casual tone. “No, no. Just felt like dressing it up today.”
She grinned. “Well, good. I like it. You look like the boss! The face of EL’evations.”
I forced a smile. “Thanks.”
But I didn’t feel like a boss. I felt like a schoolgirl dressing up to get the hot quarterback’s attention.
Who was I kidding?I couldn’t maintain this—not with everything else I had going on. Elliot hadn’t outright asked for anything more than coffee, but the interest was there. It wasn’t the first time someone showed interest, and it wouldn’t be the last.
The result will always be the same. I was too busy for this.
