Fat Cat Liar

I stifle down a giggle, knowing Lawson has this effect without trying.

“You must be Haley. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Lawson gives a small wave.

“You must be Lawson, and I’ve heard the same.” She recovers.

Lawson’s hand lands on my shoulder, and he massages the area gently. “Good to know.”

“I’m heading out, unless you need me.” She moves her eyes to mine, which are loaded with curiosity.

“No, we’re good. I’m on my way out, too.”

“Okay, see you Monday afternoon.” She scoots around us. “Nice to meet you, Lawson.”

“You, too,” he calls after her.

I move into my office and start packing my bag, closing my computer, and grabbing my notes.

“Tell me about this space,” Lawson asks, and when I glance over my shoulder, he’s examining the pictures hanging on my pride wall.

I continue packing and tell him my process, explaining that hiring Haley will eliminate my need to have contract hair and make-up professionals. Then I explain that she’s shown interest in helping me expand the business, and I’m training her to build the operation.

“I wish we would have known about you when my mom was sick.”

I freeze, hearing the familiar sorrow in his voice, and spin slowly to face him. “Your mom was sick?”

“She had a rare liver disease. They found it too late. She had no chance of finding a match for transplant.”

“Oh, Lawson.”

“We had time, though, knew she was going to die, and we used every second of that time with her. My dad took a sabbatical from work and spent every day with her.”

“When did you lose her?” I question softly.

“About two years ago. Every chance we got, we celebrated her. Birthdays, holidays, even fucking Arbor Day. We all planted a tree on their property in her name. She loved that. But she would have loved a day with you. Dressing up, make-up, hair—all of it. That shit would have thrilled her.” His voice is full of raw emotion.

I swallow the lump in my throat and look at the floor for a second, thinking of what to say.

“I’m sorry you lost your mom,” is the only thing that comes to mind.

“I’m sorry you lost yours, too.”

I close my eyes, forcing down the sadness of knowing he lost someone dear to him. When I open them, he’s standing close.

He gently tips my chin up to his face. “I didn’t mean to make you upset.”

“I’m not upset, but I wish it wasn’t something we had in common.”

A comfortable silence falls between us for a few seconds, his eyes holding mine as his thumb rubs lightly over my jawline. There’s something behind his gaze that I can’t read, but I assume he’s thinking about his mom.

“Can I take you to dinner now?” His eyes clear and he drops his hand, the moment broken.

“Sure.” I grab my things and motion for him to lead the way.

Once in his truck, the solemn mood from a few minutes ago is gone as he asks me about my day. I tell him the few clients I’m working with that contracted my services for upcoming events around the city. This is a different side to my business, and one of the reasons I hired Haley. As word has spread, men and women are contacting me for assistance. When I tell him about a well-known news personality that has asked I help with his on-air wardrobe, he looks over with a raised eyebrow.

“Is that the guy women are going crazy over?”

“It sure is. He’s coming in next week for our first face to face.”