Say It

Chapter 5 (Kacey's POV)

I finally got Kat over to give my hair a much-needed haircut. My hair is my favorite feature, but I tend to forget to get a regular trim. By the time she gets her hands on it I'm saying goodbye to at least four to five inches.

We are about halfway through when I get the courage to ask her the question that has been nagging at me ever since I left Reeds. Kat is almost brutally honest, so I know she won't sugar coat the answer to spare my feels.

"Do you think I'm annoying?" She stops mid cut and looks at me through the mirror.

"Why are you asking me that? You sound like an insecure girlfriend."

Okay ouch. That hurt my pride a little bit. I wince before setting her straight.

"Listen sassy pants it was just a question. You are just the most honest person I know so I wanted your opinion." I know she realizes I'm being serious, because she puts her sheers down and steppes to my side to look me in the eyes.

"Is this about a guy?"

I can already feel my face heat up and I try to prepare my voice to sound as normal as possible. "N-no, why would you say that?" By the way her eyes are twinkling like they do when she is about to embarrass someone, I know she didn't believe a word I just said.

"Hmmm, okay then. That's too bad. I thought there was finally going to be someone around here I actually like." She says with a little shrug of her shoulders. That little brat. I know what she is doing and it's not going to work this time. She returns to the task at hand and occasionally gives me a look that says, "spill your guts". 

"Okay fine. It's not necessarily about a guy but a guy is who may have brought to my attention that I'm a little annoying." That twinkle disappeared before I even finished my sentence. One thing about us Hensley girls we are fiercely protective over each other.

"What did he say to make you feel like that?" Kat always tries to look at the big picture of things and asks a lot of questions. Christy on the other hand is a mama bear through and through. She will rip anyone apart for hurting her or her cubs without questions and not feel the least bit guilty about it. She wasn't always like that, but life can change things. It is a quality I wish I had. I will defend my family with everything I have, but defending myself is another story. My dad say I should write "welcome" across my forehead with how much I let people walk all over me.

"It's not what he said. It's more the fact he doesn't say anything."

Kat starts laughing, the tension in her shoulder loosening. "Oh, you have a crush on a brooding silent type." I know my face is red with the heat I feel creeping down my neck. Is it that obvious? I mean who wouldn't be attracted to him? He has the longest eye lashes I've ever seen on a guy, and they fan over the deepest brown eyes. I'm pretty sure there is a dimple on his right cheek. He is at least a foot taller than me, taller than any guy I've ever dated. I'm 5'5" which isn't super tall. But I couldn't wear highs to my senior prom because I would have been taller than my date.

I was literally drooling watching him change my tire. I had to keep asking him questions so I could look at him and not feel like a creep. That's probably why he is so quite with me. He caught me checking him out and thought I was a psycho.

"I wouldn't say a crush. It's more like he has caught my eye." Good job Kacey make yourself sound more like an idiot.

Kat shakes the cape out trying to get all my hair into the floor and she asks, "Where did you meet him?"

"Reeds auto shop. He is the one who towed my car and replaced my tire. Then again when I went and got an oil change." Just thinking about him gives me butterflies. I have a serious problem. It's obvious he doesn't want anything to do with me, so I need to stop letting him have so much power over me.  

"What, he just doesn't talk to customers? Sounds like a bad way to run a business if you ask me." She isn't wrong if that was the case, but I heard him greet Mrs. Neal and let me tell you. That man has some southern charm. "No from what I can tell it's just me. His sister told me not to take it personally, it just takes him a while to warm up to people."

"How do you know his sister?" I see her eyebrow pinch together in the mirror as she sweeps up my hair.

"She was one of Lisa's clients. Her wedding is in a few months. With me taking over we have really gotten to know each other. Not that I knew they were siblings until I was getting my oil changed and she showed up."

"Wow, small world. To answer your question no I don't think you are annoying. I mean I'm sure everyone has moments when they get on other's nerves, but I don't think you as a whole are annoying. I wouldn't let him get to you." She is right, I don't need to get worked up about it.

"Besides it sounds like he is the one with the problem. You my second older sister are a catch, and he would be a fool not to see it." I stand to give her a big hug. "Thank you Katherine I really needed to hear that."

"Eww, don't use my full name." We both laughed.

After Kat left, I had to go to the grocery store to get food for the week. I also need some bathroom essentials. I hate shopping it takes too much time and if I don't go in with a list, I will walk out with one of everything.

I'm standing in the body wash aisle trying to decide if I want to change thing up with a new sent or go with usual vanilla and lavender. In the corner of my eye, I see a tall figure join me.

Curiosity got the best of me so taking a quick look. I see the one person who I can't seem to stop thinking about. He hasn't notice me yet which honestly, I should probably leave it that way. But before I can stop myself, I lightly touch his arm. His body stiffened under my hand making me regret my actions.

He finally looks but it took him a few more seconds for him to relax. "What are you doing here?" He asks with a strained voice. I pull my hand back and put some distance between us.

"Well, it's a store so I'm shopping. I just seen you, so I wanted to say hey." I try and give him a smile letting him know I wasn't trying to bother him. With a drop of his shoulder and a deep sigh he rubs his face.

"Sorry I just didn't recognize you. You don't look like yourself."

I didn't really know what he meant by that; he must have seen the confusion on my face because he continued. "I mean I've never seen you in jeans and a t-shirt. You normally are dressed up." Trying not to let myself over think, I start swaying my hips.

"Oh yeah, I try to dress professional when I work."

"Makes sense I guess." He says with no emotion on his face.

"If it was up to me, I would dress like this all the time, but my aunt said you want to put your best foot forward with clients. You know the saying dress to impress." I respond with a nervous giggle. I don't know why he makes things so awkward. If I wasn't uncomfortable, I could get him to warm up to me.

Stupid cold shoulder and stupid crush.

"Okay well I will let you get back to your shopping. Like I said I just wanted to say hello." I make my way back to my cart without a respond. The way things usually go when talking to him. I'm almost out of the aisle when I hear a throat clear, and Trent speak.

"Kacey, is the new tire holding up still?"

"It's doing great. Thank you again for fixing it and changing my oil."

"No problem." I don't know if I'm finally getting him to crack or he is just taking petty on me. With my best smile I say, "See you around, just Trent." Then leave to finish my shopping without looking back.

            Loading the last bag into my trunk I hear my phone ding. I pull it out and it's a text from Kayla.

            Kayla: "Hey Kacey, I know you said we can work on invitations at your office. But my mom said she would like to help; would you be okay with meeting me there? She said she would make us lunch."

           I love how close she is with her mom, and I think it's great Rose wants to be involved. I start my car and send a quick reply.

            ME: "Hey! That sounds lovely, just send me the address and I'll meet you there. Also let me know if I can bring anything."