The Unforgettable Infatuation

Chapter Nine

Another week passed quickly, spent with me going shopping with Delaney for warmer clothes, shopping for things I want for my apartment, texting Kathryn about how I am, calling Mom and Kyle about how I am, and working. I had my job interview the day after I got my truck done and my boss had me start right then and there.

Most days, okay, every day, it's really hard to get myself to get out of bed. It's October 26th and Delaney has been begging me to go out with her and Travis for Halloween.

I'm almost certain it's a trap because Travis is best friends with Tyler, and I really don't want to have to see him. It will just hurt too much.

I agreed to go to some Halloween party for Delaney tonight. I've spent all day talking to customers and thinking of a way to get out of it.

I love this salon so much though. The workers are so nice and funny. It's close to closing time. I get off in about a half hour. It's already seven thirty and we close at eight.

"One more and then you can go." My boss, Rose says. I nod at her, fixing my hair in the mirror. I have my long bangs pinned back today, my blonde hair left in it's natural waves. I wear minimal makeup because I woke up late and didn't have time to do a lot.

"Here, can you take him?" Rose asks me, nodding towards the waiting room.

I follow her head.

Oh dear god.

Lie. Say you feel like you're going to throw up.

But I can't, because Tyler looks up from the magazine in his hand, his eyes locking on mine.

Shit.

"Casey?" Rose asks. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." I say, my throat hoarse. My heart is pounding and my chest hurts and my body feels lit with desire, and I mentally curse myself for still getting all fucked in the head when he's around.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I walk over to Tyler. He stands up when I get close enough. I stop a few feet away from him, shoving my hands in the back pockets of my black skinny jeans.

His eyes flit to the doors for a moment.

"Casey." He says. I take a deep breath and open my mouth to speak, but I can't. I literally can't, so I just point to the chairs in front of the mirror and turn around without a word, walking to my station.

He follows me. I grab the black smock. His eyes are full of hesitation.

"I can come back tomorrow." He says softly, his soft eyes studying me.

"It's okay." I force out. I fake a smile, but I know he sees right through it. He lets out a small sigh and sits down. I put the smock around him and button it in place, surprised at how steady my hands are. He watches me in the mirror. "Do you know what you want done?" I ask. His hair is long right now, almost long enough to gather it into a ponytail. I run my fingers through it slowly. I feel his whole body tense and he shuts his eyes. Pressing his lips together, he opens his blue-gray eyes, locking them with my blue ones in the mirror.

"Surprise me."

I hesitate, studying his hair in the mirror. His gaze is on me so carefully as I tilt my head to the side.