Page 15 of Lie with Me
Since I refuse to spend another hour curling my hair, I resign to just throwing it all up into a bun, exhaling disappointedly as I secure it in place.
“What’s wrong, shortcake?” CJ asks as he fixes his own hair next to me in the bathroom mirror. It’s shorter now than it was in Hawaii, the waves much more tame and manageable. The haircut makes him look older, more mature, but still delicious. CJ in New York seems more refined compared to the CJ on Maui, especially when he’s wearing a tight black sweater that outlines his biceps and snug stonewashed jeans.
“Nothing.” I pin the last piece of hair in place. “I just wanted to wear my hair down today.”
“I sort of ruined that, huh?”
“Sort of.” I smirk playfully.
“Well, if it makes you feel any better . . .” CJ slips his hands around my waist from behind me and rests his chin on my shoulder. “I happen to like your hair up. It gives me easier access to your neck.” He tickles me with kisses.
“Quit it.” I giggle and squirm.
“Not a chance. Now that I have you, I’m going to take advantage of every second.”
“Does that mean we’re going back to bed?” I glare at him in the mirror.
He returns my expression. “As much as I want to say yes, I don’t want to get blamed for ruining your hair a second time.”
“You are so considerate,” I jest.
“Aren’t I?” he returns.
I roll my eyes, unable to wipe the smile from my face.
“I’m a gentleman, believe it or not, and I would like to take you out.”
“Out where?”
“I was thinking a museum. Then a late lunch. Then after that, a show and then dinner.”
“Sounds like a good time.”
“I promise it will be.” Something salacious flashes in his dark brown eyes.
“Let’s go then,” I suggest. “We’re burning daylight standing around here.”
He releases me. “Wait here.”
I stand alone in the bathroom with my wet clothes hanging on the towel rack. I really wanted to wear that outfit. My entire ‘be sexy’ plan has gone right out the window. At least I still have my boots.
“Okay, turn around and look at me,” CJ requests.
When I turn, I see he’s holding a plastic plumeria flower. A lump actually forms in my throat.
“You kept it.”
He nods as he clips it in my hair. “There. Perfect.”
I glance in the mirror to see he placed it right next to my bun; the same place I wore it when I pulled my hair up. I don’t know how to respond honestly. It’s such a small gesture but says so much.
“Ready?” CJ takes my hand.
“I am.” I clear my throat and rein in my emotions. This is temporary, I remind myself.Temporary.
I pull my boots on by the door before CJ helps me into my coat. As soon as the door closes behind us, CJ curses under hisbreath as he feels around the breast of his jacket.
“Hang on.” He goes back inside and then returns a few seconds later holding his pocket watch. “You’d think after twenty some odd years, I would stop forgetting it.” He slips the silver watch into the inside pocket of his coat.
