EIGHT
“I want long layers starting just above my ear, and a face frame.”
Olivia combed through her client’s long honey brown hair, picturing the cut in her mind’s eye. She didn’t know what it was about cutting hair, but it soothed her. The feel of the scissors in her hand, the rhythmic scraping sound of metal as it cut away old growth was the best therapy she could imagine.
It was so much better than serving drinks to a bunch of rowdy, drunken men.
As she got to work, she found herself thinking about Spencer. She was glad he’d chosen to talk to her this morning. Being his girlfriend had been tough, but she’d learned things about him that served her well now. For instance, she knew he was closed off. He didn’t share himself openly with anyone. Which was why it had been so easy for him to slip under everyone’s radar for so long. He’d certainly had her snowed.
When they’d first started dating, Olivia never questioned his absence. It wasn’t something a new girlfriend was supposed to do, and she didn’t know him well enough to feel comfortable questioning him about his whereabouts. If he suddenly said he had to leave, she let him go. It wasn’t until they had been together awhile that she started voicing her concerns, and even then, she wasn’t certain there was anything to be worried about. Spencer had an explanation for everything, and she wanted to believe him.
One night, when he’d returned to her apartment battered and bloody, he’d said he was jumped, which explained his empty wallet. But as things like that began to happen with more frequency, and she began to ask more questions, he’d grown agitated. It drove a wedge between them, and eventually, it lead to them breaking up.
Through it all, she never would have guessed that Spencer was getting in deep with a loan shark. It surprised everyone when the truth finally came out, especially his best friend, Jami, who had trusted him implicitly.
It just went to show that no matter how well you thought you knew someone, you could never really know them. Still, for all his faults, all his sins, she couldn’t stop herself from caring.
Spencer had a hold on her. She didn’t know how to explain it, but she couldn’t bring herself to walk away. Ally constantly encouraged her to see other people, to branch out and explore what the world had to offer, but it was all just filler. Spencer was the only person who could hold her attention, and so she was giving it to him, freely and without conditions. He was trying to change, and she intended to be right there beside him, every step of the way. She’d meant what she’d said in the kitchen: whatever he needed. All he had to do was ask.
The bell over the door chimed, informing her of the arrival of a new customer. Glancing up, Olivia smiled, happy to see her friend stroll in, her growing belly leading the way.
“Hey, lady. What are you doing here?”
Ally grinned as one of the hairdressers signed her in. “Jami’s next door shopping for vitamins, so I thought I’d pay a special someone a visit. Do you have time to squeeze me in for a cut?”
“Sure do. What are you looking to do?”
She fingered her long, mahogany locks. “I was thinking something different. Something daring.”
“A buzz cut is daring.”
“Not that daring,” Ally laughed. “Jami would have a heart attack if I came back looking like his brother instead of his fiancée.”
Olivia shook her head, laughing. “Take a look through those books,” she said, pointing at the shelf stacked with books full of photographs of the latest trends. “I’ll just be a few more minutes here.”
Once she was finished with her customer, Olivia waved Ally over to her chair. “So what did you come up with?”
Handing her the book she’d been leafing through, Ally pointed to the opened page. “I like the cut of that one, but I don’t want to go too short.”
Olivia studied the short, severely angled bob in the picture. It was a gorgeous cut, one that hugged the face and accentuated the jawline. Ally would have no problem pulling something like that off, but in the length of time she’d known her, Olivia had never known Ally to change her style. This was a major step for her.
Laying the book down at her station, she gathered Ally’s hair behind her shoulders and met her eyes in the mirror. “I think I can give you what you want. About here okay?” she asked, estimating the finished length with the side of her hand pressed just above her shoulder blades.
“That’s perfect.”
Getting her scissors ready, Olivia began sectioning her long hair. “Does Jami know you’re doing this?”
Ally grinned. “Nope, but he will soon.”
“Oh, you’re bad.”
Turning her away from the mirror, Olivia got to cutting, taking the first few inches off in a few large chops. Then she went in for the finer details. It didn’t take long to get the shape down, and by the time she finished the last few snips, she was in awe.
“Ally, my dear,” she said with barely contained excitement, “you look stunning.” Turning her friend in her chair, she aimed her at the mirror and allowed her to take her first look at her new self.
Gasping, Ally sat forward in the chair, running her hands over her sleek new bob. “Oh my God. Jami is going to die.”
“I hope that’s a good thing,” Olivia said, her smile brilliant.
Turning, Ally looked at her with glossy eyes. “It’s such a good thing. Liv, you’re amazing!” Hair clippings sheeted from the gown as Ally stood and grabbed Olivia around the shoulders for a hard embrace. “I feel like a new woman. Thank you so much!”
“You look like a new woman.”
They both turned, startled to find Jamison standing a few feet away. His expressive brown eyes absorbed his fiancée, throwing off so much heat, Olivia nearly broke out in a sweat. One look and he’d said everything. He loved it.
Longing twisted inside her as Olivia watched her friend cast the gown aside and throw her arms around her man.
“Okay, okay. Enough with the smooch-fest,” she admonished, pushing the happy couple by the shoulders toward the door. “If this goes on any longer, I’ll have a line of women at my door hoping a fresh bob will bring them a bounty of muscled male.”
“What about my bill?” Ally reached into her purse, but Olivia stayed her with a hand on her arm.
“On the house.”
“Are you sure?”
“Consider it an early wedding gift.”
Hugging her again, Ally broke into tears. “Thank you. I really love it.”
Patting her back, Olivia laughed at her hormonal friend. “I’m glad. Now go enjoy the rest of your day.”
“I’m going to tip you so hard,” Ally said while wiping under her eyes.
“Already taken care of, babe.” Jamison flashed her his trademark bad boy smile and whisked Ally out the door. When Olivia turned back to begin cleaning up her station, she saw a folded fifty dollar bill stuffed in her tip jar.
***
It was late when Olivia arrived home. Not knowing what her schedule was, Spencer prepared for any variation. After spending a few hours hunting down some new clothes and other basic necessities, he’d made a run to the grocery store to pick up a small roast for dinner. When he’d gotten back to the apartment, he’d thrown dinner into the crockpot, made the sign of the cross and prayed it would turn out well, and set to work cleaning.
He was lounging in front of the television when Liv walked in the door. She came to an abrupt stop, and he took satisfaction in the stunned look she wore as she scanned the room.
Slowly closing the door behind her, she stepped out of her shoes. “You cleaned.”
“I did.”
She inhaled deeply. “You cooked?”
“I tried.” He smiled sheepishly. He’d never done much cooking, but the recipe card he’d found in the meat section at the store made it all look simple enough. At least it smelled good if that was anything to go off of.
Laying her purse down, she hobbled toward the kitchen. He stood, following after her.
> “How did shopping go today? Did you find everything you needed?”
“I found a few things. Thanks again for lending me your card.” All of his personal effects were lined up side-by-side with hers in the single bathroom. He’d never shared that kind of space before and found it to be strangely domestic. And appealing.
She waved him off. “No problem. I’m happy to help.”
Leaning against the doorframe, he watched as she opened the lid, steam billowing out, and poked around inside with a large two-pronged meat fork.
“You didn’t have any yet?” she asked, replacing the lid.
“I was waiting for you.”
Turning, she eyed him steadily. It reminded him a little of how Dr. O’Valley studied him, and he crossed his arms over his chest, fully aware that it was a defensive gesture. “You’ve changed.”
His shoulders stiffened and he swallowed, unsure of what to make of that. He was so used to rejection and accusation, being ready for a verbal altercation was almost habitual. “For the better, I hope.”
“I’d say so.” Walking up to him, Olivia stared at him in a way that made him feel two inches tall. “Cleaning, cooking…what else have you been up to while I was gone?”
“I took care of the laundry. Your clothes are folded and waiting on your bed.”
Her light brows rose higher, crinkling her forehead. “Is that right?”
He nodded, and his lips twitched. “Since when do you wear pink panties?” She’d always been more of a black lace kind of girl.
When she stood up on her toes and leaned into him, he stopped breathing. The touch of her lips against his cheek scalded him, and when she dropped back down, he could do nothing more than stare down at her in wonderment.
“Thank you…for everything,” she said, clearly deciding to ignore his question. “It’s very sweet, and very much appreciated.” Moving past him, she headed for her bedroom, calling over her shoulder, “Make up a couple of plates, would you? I’ll be right back.”
A wash of warmth spread through his chest as Spencer retrieved two plates from the cupboard and began laying tender chunks of beef and vegetables onto them. He’d missed spending time with Olivia. With her, there were no expectations, just acceptance. Only ever acceptance. He’d never experienced anything like it in his life.
Setting their dinners out on the coffee table, he folded himself on the floor in front of it and waited for her to return before digging in.
“This is really good, Spence.” Liv shoved another bite past her plump lips and closed her eyes, moaning softly in satisfaction.
“You like it?”
“Oh, yes,” she said, giving him a dreamy look. “I haven’t had a home cooked meal in too long. This is so much better than pizza.”
Spencer chuckled as he recalled the numerous pizza boxes he’d seen when he’d dumped the garbage in the bin out back earlier that afternoon. There must have been five of them, nearly one for every day of the week. “You must really like pizza.”
“I’ve burnt-out on pizza,” she said, cutting a potato in half and dragging it through tomato juice. “This is exactly what I needed today.”
“I’m glad. I honestly wasn’t sure it would turn out. I didn’t want to disappoint you.”
Wiping her mouth on a napkin, she gave him a sidelong look. “Spence, you could never disappoint me. Not when you’re clearly trying so hard.”
“Mmm.” He was afraid to tell her that he wasn’t certain how long he could keep it up, but decided he liked that look on her face too much to say anything.
Laying her hand on his knee, Liv gave it a gentle squeeze. “Wheel of Fortune is on. I bet I solve more puzzles than you.”
He laughed, shaking his head as he remembered the game they used to play.
When they’d first gotten together, they used to stay in a lot and soak up as much time together as possible. When they weren’t divulging personal stories, or making out, they liked to pretend they were contestants on the show and challenge each other. Whoever won the most money by the end of the game had to perform a lap dance. He lost a lot. It made for some interesting memories. Tonight was the perfect night to recapture some of that magic.
“You’re on.”
NINE
“Are you almost done in there? I need to get ready for work.”
Olivia shifted impatiently outside the bathroom door. After slapping the snooze button one too many times, she was officially running late for work. Even though she’d cut back her hours at the bar, the constant demand to move, move, move was wearing her down. But what else could she do? Bills needed to be paid.
The water to the shower cut off, and a moment later, the door swung open. Steam poured into the hall and beyond that, Spencer stood. Olivia couldn’t stop herself. Her gaze raking over him, she took in his tall, muscular frame sprinkled in water droplets. One of her fluffy burgundy bath towels hung low on his narrow waist, bringing her attention to the sexy V between his hips.
Good lord, he was gorgeous. Her insides erupted into flames at the sight of him.
“Don’t you ever take a day off?”
His question jerked her from her musing, and Olivia looked up into those fathomless blue eyes. “I would if I could afford to. So, are you almost finished in here or not?”
“I still need to shave,” he said, rubbing his fingers across the shadow of light brown beard growth covering his jaw.
She loved that bit of growth. It reminded her of all the times she walked away with beard burn on her chin and other, more intimate places after a hard make out session.
“Can it wait?” she asked, refraining from reminding him that he didn’t have anywhere pressing to be. “I need to grab a quick shower.”
Stepping back, he motioned her inside. “Don’t let me stop you.”
“Spence,” she said darkly.
“What?” Plugging the sink, he filled it with water. He met her eyes in the mirror. “I’ve seen you naked before. Lots of times, if memory serves.”
Folding her arms, she said impatiently, “That’s not the point. We’re not together. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“Says who?”
No answer was forthcoming, so she glared instead.
“Precisely.”
Sometimes, she swore Spencer deliberately tried to be annoying.
With a casualness that irked her, he picked up a can of shaving foam which, she noted, had been placed directly beside his toothbrush which was now standing in the holder beside hers, and began coating his cheeks. “There’s plenty of hot water left. Stop being a prude and get in the shower before you make yourself later than you already are.” Settling in, he dragged the razor down his cheek.
Growling, Olivia stormed into the room, huffing as she tossed back the curtains and turned on the taps. He had a point, which was partly why she was upset. She wasn’t sure what the other reason was, but she suspected it might have something to do with her not being as opposed to sharing a bathroom with him as she should be.
It wouldn’t be smart if she fell backwards for him again, even though that’s exactly what she wanted to do. He’d left her in a vulnerable spot in her life—a spot she was just starting to come out of before he showed back up.
“Keep your eyes forward,” she snapped as she tore her pajama tank and shorts off.
“What?”
Glancing up, she caught Spencer watching her in the mirror. “Eyes forward!” Olivia shouted, covering her breasts with her arm. Leaping inside the shower stall, she whipped the curtains closed.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize what you said at first.”
“I’m supposed to believe that?” Olivia snorted. Reaching for her rose scented shampoo, her hand stilled as she noted even more of Spencer’s personal effects alongside hers. He had a bottle of Axe body wash and a similar bottle of shampoo, their clean male scent still fragrancing the humid air. She didn’t know what she expected to have happen once he’d moved in with her, but she didn’t expect to be…h
appy about it?
Her mouth curved. Yes, happy. She actually liked having his things mingling with hers.
Good lord, she was losing her mind. Spencer had always been sweet, but she’d never fooled herself into thinking he was the kind of man who would stick around for the long haul.
“If it’s any consolation, you look even better than I remember. Have you been doing squats?”
Squirting a giant glob of pink shampoo into her palm, Olivia scrubbed her scalp. “Shut up, Spence.”
“What, you don’t like compliments now?”
“It’s not appropriate,” she repeated with exasperation. Whether they got back together down the line or not, she told herself there had to be a line now. For her own self-preservation, she needed to remember that there was nothing more going on than a friend helping another friend in a time of need. Spencer had a lot of work left to do in order to get better, and it wouldn’t help matters if she started placing expectations on him. Life was hard enough.
“So then it wouldn’t be appropriate to tell you that I’m hard right now, right?” he called over the noise of the running water.
“Spencer!” What the hell had gotten into him?
“Right. Gotcha. Not appropriate.”
She swore she heard him laughing. Dunking her head under the water, Olivia clamped her mouth shut and rinsed the suds from her hair. Spencer was a cheeky man, always cracking jokes, but she couldn’t help from smiling. It was an unfortunate side effect of being in his presence.
Spencer was gone when she stepped out of the shower. With efficiency, Olivia toweled off, dried her hair, and twisted it up on her head, securing it with a lobster clip. Dusting on a thin layer of foundation, she went heavy on the eyes, finishing with a bold red lipstick. It was a lot of makeup for daytime, but it was perfect for the dark, smoky atmosphere inside the club.
After dressing in the required uniform—a short, black mini dress—Olivia hurried into the kitchen to put together a sack lunch. Spencer was already there, shirtless—a look she was beginning to realize must be a normal thing for him. She’d never had the opportunity to pick up on those sorts of things before.
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