Page 14 of Second Time Around

She’d said the same thing to him at the salon. “Fine. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

He nodded and then turned and walked away. This time, she kept her eyes glued to the menu in case anyone was watching.

Damn him for looking so good after all these years! He still had a thick head of touchable hair, a great bod, and a dazzling smile with all his teeth. She’d run into some of their classmates over the years, and not all of them had been so lucky. Not only that, but he’d uprooted his life in Chicago to be closer to his mom during her illness. She had to give him points for that too.

It had been so much easier to paint him as a villain from a distance. Since he’d been back, she’d only seen his charming, generous side. If only he’d stayed away…

A few minutes later, he sidled up to the table. “Have you decided?”

She’d been so lost in thought, she’d barely looked at the menu, but she pretty much knew it by heart.

“I’ll take the turkey sandwich and a lemonade.”

“Healthy choices.”

“I’m saving some calories for dessert.”

He smiled. “It shouldn’t be long.”

“Thanks,” she said and turned her head to look out the window.

Luckily, he took the hint and left her in peace. However, he soon returned with her lemonade and slid into the chair across from her.

“I’m not your only customer.”

“No, but everyone else is taken care of. I have some time.”

Maybe I don’t. Who am I kidding? I have nothing else planned today.

“So, what else have you been up to besides becoming a successful hairstylist?”

“Beck…”

“What? I’m just making polite conversation.”

“Are you?”

“What other motivation would I have?”

No matter what his motivation was, it was her choice as to what to do with it. He could bribe her with brownies and play nice all he wanted, but that didn’t mean she owed him anything. In the meantime, she decided that a bit of small talk wouldn’t hurt. He was giving her a free lunch, after all.

“I bought a house,” she blurted out.

“Good for you. Where at?”

“Not too far from here.”

“In Rochester?”

“Um-hmm.” She refused to provide any more details than that.

“I’m renting right now, but I’ll buy a place if I decide to stay.”

“You might not stay?” She hadn’t considered that, but it made sense. If his mom made a full recovery, he might return to Chicago, which would be for the best, at least for her.

“We’ll see.”

“I heard about your mom, and I’m sorry.” She’d meant to say something at the salon, but she’d been so discombobulated that she’d forgotten.