"So tell me then!"
"It isn't just like he is sending you flowers, it is that you kept this from me. I am your best friend and now know very well that you and Stefan were once in love. I knew you recently had to confront him, so why would you want to hide this? Not only that, but since that first vase arrived, have you let anyone read the cards he sends? You aren't just hiding this from the stylists, you are hiding it all together."
"I don't want to talk about this, Kacie."
I turned away from her, crossed the room to my little locker and pulled out my apron. "This is your problem, Grey. You hide so much shit! All along I thought I knew you, the way I know the curves of Mark Wahlberg's sexy ass. Then new information just kept pouring out, and I am beginning to realize-I don't know you at all. If you have a past with Stefan-fine. Figure it out because that diamond ring on your finger means that you have promised to love another man for the rest of your life. And the Greyson I love would never do anything to hurt that amazing man. You need to figure your crap out because I will not stand by and watch as you let everything fall apart."
She didn't bother waiting for me to respond before stomping back onto the salon floor. The engagement ring on my left hand suddenly grabbed my attention, and I knew she was right. Richard was a genuine, wonderful person and the woman he proposed to would never ever hurt him.
The problem was, the woman he fell in love with had never dared to think about Stefan. But that had not changed the fact that she was still his.
The day passed slowly and incredibly awkwardly. Kacie and I hardly looked at each other and when another member of the staff would say something to us both-neither would respond. Our behavior was frustratingly juvenile, but I didn't know what to say to make things better. Finally six o'clock rolled around, Kacie and Kari were officially done for the day and I felt like I was able to stop holding my breath. The salon officially closed at 8:30 so when 8:00 rolled around and there were three stylists, myself included, standing around with no clients-I sent them home. Eloise was happy to finish out the night, while I busied myself with the nightly closing duties.
The bell chimed on the front door, and I paid no notice. Certain cuts or styles we wouldn't do after a specific time of night, in order to keep us all from going home extremely late. I was just about to throw on a pair of rubber gloves and take the trash to the dumpster when Eloise called out my name.
"Yeah?"
"We have a walk-in, if you have time to take him."
My eyes darted toward the wall clock before I answered, 8:15. There was just about nothing that could be completed with the amount of attention we swore to give every client. I set down the gloves and made my way to the front. Just because I couldn't do anything tonight didn't mean I was going to yell it out across the salon. Besides, I always tried to give the customers I couldn't help a chance to set an appointment before they left.
"I'm so sorry," I began, but as I came around the wall to the reception desk my heart stopped. My throat grew dry and my knees shook, making me doubt my strength to stand.
Stefan stared back at me, but this time there was no cocky smile, or know-it-all attitude in place. This was the image of a broken man. Unkempt hair, a beard that was much longer than he normally ever let it grow, and breathtaking deep blue eyes that looked almost lost in his beautiful face.
"We're closing." I said on the breath I had been holding.
"Please can you make an exception? Just this once?"
We stood there, watching each other, the only sound was our steadied breathing and the beat of our hearts. Vaguely, I was aware of Eloise's presence but I couldn't turn my focus away from Stefan.
"Eloise," I pried my eyes from Stefan, and turned my attention to her. "Why don't you go grab your things? I will finish up here."
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"I am, go ahead. I'll lock up after you so no one else stops in while I'm cutting his hair."
"Okay," she wasted no time running off to gather her things. Maybe she wasn't as nosy as others but she definitely knew when to concede and hurry.
Once Eloise was out of sight I motioned toward the back of the salon where the row of sinks sat. "While I wait for her, I'll get you seated."
Stefan nodded and followed me in silence to the chair. My entire body was tense and my heart was beating so rapidly, someone might think I had just been running for the last few hours. I unfolded a cape and fastened it around his neck. My fingers lightly brushed against the skin of his neck and an instant wave of heart coursed through my body from the point of contact.