Page 65 of Unlikely to Stay
“I’m surprised we’re not planning your funeral.A donkey braying is her ringtone and I’m pretty sure she goes to sleep with a CD of the sound.”
“No way.That’s surely a lie…no, Patty.What in the hell?”
“You know what they say.It takes all kinds to make a world.”
Brant shook his head.He understood the saying.He just didn’t think he would ever come across a kind with a donkey braying ringtone again.
As soon asthe clock read five o’clock, Brant headed to his office at the back of the clinic, changed into the pair of athletic shorts and t-shirt he had thrown in his backpack on his way out of the door that morning and stuffed his button down shirt and dress pants in the backpack.
“Headed to the gym?”Patty asked him as he almost collided with her in the hall.
“I am.I just hope she hasn’t changed her mind about letting me help her.”
“Well, if she has, she’s an idiot.”
“I’ll be sure to tell her you said that,” he replied, grinning.With a finger wave, Patty walked out the door, Brant following close behind.He decided to forego a ride in his Honda, opting to enjoy the beautiful spring day.Also to avoid inquisitive minds that might start asking questions if they saw Brant’s car parked outside of the gym for the evening.Even if what Patty said about everyone knowing he was helping Colleen the day before to be true.He didn’t want to add any fuel to the fire.
Whistling a tune, he willed himself not to jog to her salon.He knew she didn’t close until seven each evening but he planned on getting the key from her and building some of the walls for the dance and yoga studio.To his surprise, the lights in the shop were off and a sign was posted in the window and on the door.
Closed for a week to work on Parker’s state-of-the-art gym, the sign read.For emergencies, put a message through the mail slot.If I deem it a true emergency, I’ll call you with directions.Absolutely NO texts or visiting the gym to beg me to open the shop.Do so and you’ll have to drive to Lakeview for a month for cuts or colors.Yes, I’m talking to you, Madge and Kelda.
Brant chuckled.He had to give it to her.She had some balls to post a sign like that.Heading next door, he was again surprised.The windows were covered in tinting that let the light into the building but didn’t allow curious lookers on the street to see what was going on inside.Brant couldn’t help but think it might have something to do with the fact he was helping.
“You need a jingly bell above the door so you know someone is coming in,” he said as he entered.CC was standing in front of a table saw, a pair of clear safety goggles on her face, cutting a baseboard for the wall.
“What are you doing here?”she asked.
“I’m doing what I said.Helping.I told you, after hours I’m all yours.”He smiled when her cheeks turned red.She looked friggin’ adorable in the oversized safety goggles, her hair pulled back in a messy bun.She had donned a bright pink racerback tank top and a pair of lime green and pink running shorts to work.He gulped and willed himself not to stare too long.
Her arms were lean and toned, her shoulders sexy and bare.And those shorts…those shorts were way short and showcased defined calves and thighs.God…she was…looked…delicious.He wanted to do nothing more than push her up against the pillar and kiss her senseless.
Instead, he took a deep breath and said, “That’s a pretty ballsy sign you have in the window of your shop, Freckles.”
She held up her left hand and waved it around.“Not much I can do in the way of cutting hair right now soooooo….figured I’d get this place up and running.”
“Ouch,” Brant said.“Again, I’m sorry.”
Her face softened.“It’s okay.Besides, this gives me an excuse to take a break without all the old ladies in town knocking down my door.”
“Is your finger hindering you?”
She looked around the gym where wood and tools were scattered around the floor.“Does it look like it’s hindering me?”
“Touché.”
Colleen laughed.“I’m just kidding.Luckily, it’s on my left hand so it’s really only awkward if I have to carry a ton of stuff.Otherwise, it’s no big deal.”
“That’s a relief.I was feeling all kinds of guilty but now that I know you’re milking it…”
“Who says I’m milking it?”
It was Brant’s turn to laugh.“Just kidding.So…where do you want me?”
“Are you sure you don’t mind helping?I hate to take up all your evenings.I’m sure you have something else to do.”
Brant wanted to tell her he couldn’t think of anything he wanted more than to spend time with her but was afraid it would have her turning tail and running.She just now started being okay with being in the same room as him.“Freckles, the only thing waiting for me at home is leftovers from Sadie’s and an episode ofStranger Things.”
“I love that show!”