My assistants had stopped asking me if I was taking a ‘plus one’ to the endless events I attended, knowing that if I ever was, I would inform them immediately.
Staring out the window on the way to my office tower, I realized that I was grinning ear to ear. Katy was such a darling little treasure, and she had definitely felt the pull between us. There was no way a girl would let a man practically kiss her if she didn’t truly feel it.
CHAPTER THREE
* Katy *
I tossed and turned all night, wondering if I was losing my mind. The stress of moving, having extremely little money, and not very many people to talk to, had all b
een wearing me down.
But letting a total stranger kiss me at work? That was not something that I would ever do. Not in a million years. Yet there was something about him that simply drew me in.
Since I had no idea where we were going for dinner, I wore a simple dark blue dress, that miraculously stayed clean all day at the shop.
I added long dangling silver leaf earrings, and a couple of blue and purple beaded bracelets. There was no way I could wear heels that were very high because I was on my feet all day, but the low heel on my chunky black boots gave me an extra inch of height.
Thinking of how tall and wide Dan was give me a thrill. There was just something about a huge man that turned me on. But also, it was fascinating how direct he was. I had always been quiet, and I knew that I was a bit too nervous about things that shouldn’t affect me. But maybe if I were with a man like that for a couple of dates, I could learn how to open up a bit.
It was bizarre that I didn’t know a single thing about him. He seemed like some sort of businessman, I guessed, but there was no way to know, and Max wouldn’t say a word.
Checking my phone mid-afternoon, there was a text from Dan, confirming that he’d pick me up at six. I responded, telling him, “Okay – see you soon”. My date with him was really happening, but I certainly couldn’t let my hands shake from nerves while I was working.
It was reasonably busy at the shop all day, with plenty of walk-ins. I even had an appointment at five-twenty pm, with a friend of the long-haired musician. Pete also had quite long hair, and was equally paranoid that I would take too much off.
“That’s why I don’t use terms like just a bit, or just a trim,” I reassured him. Combing out his hair, I pointed with the scissors. “I think you need that much taken off to get rid of the split ends. Is that okay?”
He nodded, relieved. “Thanks, Katy. You obviously understand.”
I nodded, quickly trimming his hair and rounding out the shape across his back. “Hair grows slower for some people, I know how it is. I’ve heard some people swear that taking a multivitamin and biotin helps.” I shrugged. “If you really want to grow it faster, it might be worth a try?”
“Thanks – that’s a great idea.” He flashed me a huge grin as I finished, shaking out the cape around him.
“Hello, little one.”
I jumped a mile at the dark voice that appeared directly behind me. Spinning around, Dan was standing there in a tight black longsleeved t-shirt and black jeans that fit him so perfectly it was distracting.
“Hi,” I said, hearing my voice instantly get quieter. “I’m just finishing up.”
Dan nodded to Pete. “I see that my girl did another fabulous job.”
“Yeah. I think she’s going to become the go-to stylist for a couple of bands that I know.”
Dan’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, but I also saw the tension in his eyes. “That’s great,” he said curtly.
I went to the register and rang Pete through, giving him a card for the salon. “Please tell any of your friends to ask for Katy if they need a careful trim,” I grinned to him.
“Thanks so much,” he called out, giving Dan a nod as he left.
I cleaned up my station, grabbed my purse, and headed for the door with Dan quickly leaning to open it for me.
“Thank you,” I said quickly.
He took my arm and led us east. “How was your day?” he asked.
“Tasha seemed very impressed by my work. And it was pretty busy, thank goodness,” I said. “I don’t have my own clientele yet, so I have to depend on the walk-ins. Pete was my very first referral.”
“And you like those musician types?”