"You are so ridiculous," I replied with a laugh. Kacie threw her arms around my shoulders and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
"What's up, lovely? Isn't Silver Fox home today?" Silver Fox was the name everyone called Richard because, well, it was pretty damn accurate. Combine his silver hair, prominent features, killer body and heart stopping smile, and you'd be lucky to still be standing after he left the room.
"Yeah, he's home, but I just wanted to stop by to see how things were going." Kacie's amusement wasn't hidden from her eyes. My excuse was pathetic and we both knew it. This place was always just fine in Kacie's hands when I wasn't here. Thankfully, she never pried further into my vague responses.
"Things are lovely, but since my client didn't show up for her appointment and you don't have any since you never have clients on Fridays, let me play with your hair!" My hand grabbed hold of my long, thick, dark chocolate hair.
"What are you going to do to it?"
Kacie shrugged her shoulders and pulled me to the chair at her station. "I don't know, but you obviously don't want to go home right now, so does it matter?"
Okay, so maybe Kacie didn't have to pry because she always kind of knew something was up anyway. "Guess not," I said, giving Kacie the reigns to do as she pleased.
Less than an hour later, my hair had been washed, blown out and formed into big Victoria's Secret model style curls. Kacie even went the extra step of removing my make-up and reapplying colors to my olive-toned skin, bringing out the flecks of green and gold in my hazel eyes. She whipped off the cape, took a step back, and gave a single nod at me.
"Pleased?" I asked with a smirk.
Her shoulders bobbed up in a casual manner. "What can I say … I am a master of hair."
I burst out laughing before I could stop it. "Well, I love it." I stood and flipped my hair around to see the dimensions.
"As do I, now go home to your yummy fiancé before I take your place." Kacie gave me a wink and a quick slap on the bum.
There was no point putting up a fight-she was right, it was time to go see my man. I waved goodbye to the other stylists, gave Kacie's cheek a peck, and drove home to the second man I ever loved. While thoughts of the first threatened to break through once more.
As soon as I reached the door to our duplex the wonderful smells of Richard's cooking took hold of my senses. My mouth was watering before I even knew what was brewing in the kitchen. The warmth from the home cooking, smooth jazz music playing throughout the speaker system, and the smile on Richard's face made me regret not coming home right away. He poured a glass of red wine before walking over to greet me. As yummy as that wine looked in his hand, it didn't hold a candle to my Silver Fox. Standing a few inches taller than my 5'6, his body was lean but toned to perfection, and his face rivaled that of Clooney. Emerald eyes warmed as he looked over my new do, and when he flashed that beautifully perfect smile, I felt the butterflies in my stomach begin a very active dance.
"There's my darling, or should I say, my Bella Donna?" Even though Richard didn't know any Italian, I still melted at the fluidity of just those words.
"I missed you," I said, tracing a line from his temple to his chin when he was in reach. He pressed a chaste kiss to my lips in return.
"As did I, Beautiful. You're just in time though, I made your favorite."
"Mmm … my favorite?" I asked.
"Homemade pizza, with all your favorite toppings and red wine to wash it down."
"That sounds wonderful, baby." I took the glass from his hands as Richard wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me over to the breakfast bar. As I slid onto the bar stool, he went back to finishing dinner.
Watching Richard move about the kitchen was one of my favorite things. He looked perfectly at home as he moved about; cutting the pizza, dishing up our plates and serving it. There was no doubt in my mind that Richard was meant to be a family man. Six months ago when I officially moved in, the first thing he did was take my hands in his and tell me he had always dreamt of that moment. Having the career of his dreams, and buying a home that he would one day fill with his perfect family. That was when he told me that I was the only woman he could ever imagine having everything with.
It was then that I saw it too. Not that I hadn't been able to see Richard as my future as well, but it was different. After the … well, just after, I gave up on the idea of a family. There was something about him though, and I couldn't just step aside and let some other woman swoop in. I wanted to be Richard's woman, and it became clear that he felt the same.
"Bon Appétit." Richard placed the plate in front of me, bringing my thoughts back to the present.