Page 29 of Unlikely to Stay
“Oh, they didn’t,” she said quietly, mentally cursing herself for the breathiness of her voice.“Thanks for coming in and stopping them, though.They weren’t listening to me at all.”
“Those two can be a bit…difficultand stubborn,” Brant said with a smile.“Fortunately, I’ve dealt with them a time or two in the clinic so I usually know how to deal with them.”
“Well,Idye their hair on a regular basis so you’d think they’d listen to me, too.”
Brant raised his eyebrows and held up his hands at the bite in her voice.“Wasn’t trying to make you think I was better than you.”
CC shook her head.She looked like a royal bitch.“I bet Madge was just being nice because she totally plans on bidding on you at the auction.And I’m just warning you, she’s bidding on multiple men.If she wins, be prepared to wear a toga and feed her grapes while fanning her with a banana leaf.”
Brant’s eyes widened and his face drained of color.“What?”
“Before Kelda came in the shop, Madge was telling me about all the young hotties she was going to bid on and her dream of having men serve her grapes and fan her with banana leaves while they were dressed in togas.Andyou, sir, were one of the men she planned to place a bid on.”
“Are you serious?”
“As serious as their fight about the cotton candy hair.”
Brant plopped down on CC’s purple couch and put his head in his hands.“I don’t know if I can do this.”
CC bit her lip to keep from laughing.He looked extremely distraught.Brant ran his fingers through his hair, leaving it standing on end, and let out a deep sigh.CC longed to follow the trail his fingers had left.His hair was thick and CC couldn’t help wondering
“I don’t suppose you’d like to bid on me and save me from the toga disaster, would you?”he asked, locking eyes with her.
CC’s breath caught in her chest.Looking into those chocolate eyes of his, she almost said yes.Maybe evenwantedto say yes.But she knew that way of thinking could lead to nothing but heartache on her end.He was smart and educated…she was just…she was just CC.Hairdresser to the old people of a tiny town.
“I don’t plan on bidding on anyone,” she replied, trying not to notice Brant’s shoulders drop in defeat.“Dating really isn’t my thing.”
“Swear off it since your friend set you up with a gay guy?”
“Something like that.”
Brant rose from her couch.“Well, now that your shop is empty of crazy old women, I guess I’ll head to Sadie’s for the special of the day.”
“Ah, the onion burger.One of her best.”
“Agreed.Want to join me?”
CC shook her head.“Thanks for the offer, but I have an appointment coming in about ten minutes,” she lied.
Brant smiled her way before opening the door.“Maybe another time then.”
“Hey, Brant?”she called.
He stopped and looked back at her.“Yeah?”
“Thanks for helping.”
Smiling softly, he replied, “Any time, Colleen,” before heading out the door.
CC sighed as she watched him go.No one ever called her Colleen anymore with the exception of her mother.And if she were being honest with herself, she didn’t mind the sound of it coming from Brant Billings’ perfect lips.