by Bria Marche
“Are you sure, hon?”
“Yep. I’ll leave Saturday afternoon and be back Wednesday afternoon. Driving is a good way to clear my head. I like that alone time.”
“Want some Cheetos? You can stay for dinner. I’m making enchiladas later. There’s a good movie on HBO tonight, too.”
“Okay. It sounds like tonight is going to be girls’ night in.”
“Perfect. Let’s go snuggle up with the recliners.”
Chapter Sixteen
Sasha was thrilled with the way the sliders turned out. Not only would there be an abundance of sunshine coming into the kitchen first thing in the morning, but now she would have easy access to the back of the house. Having a deck was like extending the size of the kitchen, especially with summer coming. Sasha called Josh as soon as the guys left for the day. “Honey, you have to see how wonderful the kitchen looks now. I mean, it’s a mess but in a wonderful way. Cleaning and painting isn’t a problem. I don’t even care about that—I’ll have plenty of help. Having a deck now, and access to it, is amazing. You won’t have to drag the grill around the house anymore.”
“Take a breath, Sasha, before you run out of oxygen. I have a showing at five, then I’ll come over after that. If you and your parents don’t have any dinner plans, we can go out. I’m sure the kitchen is too much of a disaster to cook in anyway.”
“Yeah, there’s white dust everywhere. Tomorrow they’re going to plaster the walls around the slider, then I can paint. Sooner or later, we’ll have the kitchen back. Anyway, I’ll let my parents decide where they want to eat. See you later, babe.”
***
Dan drove the twenty-five minutes to Croton-on-Hudson from Tarrytown. White billowy clouds filled the blue sky. The sun occasionally peeked out, shooting its rays to the horizon and creating a beautiful spectacle. Bushes along the state highway were blooming, and the trees were leafing out. Summer was right around the corner. Dan envisioned being invited to parties on the deck he just built. Sasha had mentioned it a number of times. They seemed like a welcoming bunch, and since they were all in the same age group, it was even better. The only two going solo would be Tina and him. He thought back to the day he’d walked through the door of Hair Brained with Sasha. Remembering the look in Tina’s eyes almost made him laugh out loud. Man, that girl gets pissed easily. He winced at the way their shared lunch had played out. I can’t believe I left things hanging without asking for her phone number. I was so focused on not screwing things up with her, that’s exactly what I did. Stalking people isn’t cool, even though it wasn’t really what I was trying to do when I drove down her street. I can’t even call her to ask her out now. I’ll get her number from Sasha. She’ll understand.
Dan wondered why Tina was so different from most women he’d known in the past. Something, or somebody, must have made her clam up, he just didn’t know which it was. She seemed friendly enough, just guarded and somewhat aloof at times. But today, he’d seen a different side of her. He had to figure out how to connect with her on a more regular basis. He pictured her sitting on her porch alone, and it bothered him. He was very tempted to turn around and drive to Tina’s house, but that would lead to a whole round of questions and suspicions. Dan looked at his watch—5:02 p.m. I wonder if she’s had dinner yet. He grabbed his cell and punched the phone icon next to Sasha’s name. A prerecorded voice asking the caller to leave a message answered. Damn it. I guess I’m eating dinner tonight with Mom and Dad after all. I’ll get Tina’s number tomorrow.
***
A message taped to Sasha’s front door told Dan and his crew to go on in. No one would be home that day. Sasha had told Dan the week before where she kept the spare house key just in case he ever needed it. Her note explained that the dust lingering in the house was causing her father’s allergies to act up and that the guys didn’t need to worry about Kismet, who’d gone along with her to Josh’s house.
Dan’s heart sank a little, knowing he wouldn’t have the opportunity that day to discreetly ask Sasha for Tina’s number. He had no idea when he’d see Tina again, and their work was nearly complete. By the weekend, all they’d have left to do was build the pergola, then they’d be done and gone, moving on to someone else’s project.
***
Tina was thankful she had a full day scheduled. She hoped she’d be so busy she wouldn’t have time to dwell on the events of the previous day. Making the first move had been a big deal to her, and it had gotten her nowhere. Dan hadn’t asked for her number or set up anything beyond the casual greetings they normally exchanged. She’d struck out with a guy again. No wonder I can’t be bothered with men—they’re all morons, she thought as she combed out Lilly Martin’s wet hair.
Lilly shrieked. “Ouch, Tina, what the hell are you doing? It feels like you’re ripping all the hair out of my head.”
Tina looked at the comb, realizing it was full of poor Lilly’s tangled, torn-out hair. She’d forgotten to apply, and massage in, the conditioner she usually used on Lilly’s long, fine hair.
“Damn it… I’m so sorry, Lilly. My mind isn’t on work today. I’ll only charge you half price.”
“For half the hair you ripped out of my head? Thanks, I guess… but can you please focus until I’m done? I don’t want to go home bald.”
Vic gave Tina the shit eye and shook her head, knowing why Tina was distracted.
***
Dan had no idea what time Tina usually took her lunch break, but he didn’t want to miss her. This could be his only chance to do things right. Bill and Jeff could take care of the plasterwork for an hour on their own. Dan decided to leave for lunch at eleven then fill in at noon when the guys took their break. Three people plastering around the sliders at once was a bit too crowded anyway. He had to step up and get Tina’s phone number on his own. Even if Sasha did give it to him, it would make him look lazy and uninterested in Tina’s eyes. Yep, I have to do this myself, face to face. The timer he set on his watch went off at ten fifty-five. He needed an extra few minutes to wash up and look somewhat presentable before leaving.
“I’ll be back in an hour, guys. I have an errand to do. I’ll take over at noon.”
“Yeah, no problem,” Bill said as Dan headed for the door.
Dan ate his smoked turkey, lettuce, and Swiss cheese sandwich as he drove. The distance to Hair Brained from Sasha’s Victorian was only a few miles. He parked the van and checked himself in the vanity mirror before he got out. Dan took pride in having perfectly straight white teeth, the result of wearing braces as a kid. He didn’t want a stray piece of lettuce or turkey scaring Tina away when he gave her his signature grin. She hadn’t seen his grin often enough, but Dan intended to fix that problem immediately. He noticed Tina’s car in a diagonal parking spot next to Hair Brained. Good, she’s still here, he thought nervously. He felt odd being nervous. Dan didn’t recall ever feeling that way with Emily even when they got engaged, or worse, when he called the wedding off. That was a feeling of relief more than anything else. He knew ending a relationship before getting married was far better than getting divorced afterward from lack of love.
He saw Tina through the large windows before he entered the salon. With her back turned toward him, she had no idea he’d walked in. Tina was listening to an old lady drone on about her last appointment with the doctor. Intestinal problems and gas seemed to be her latest ailment. Tina grimaced as she glanced toward Vic and rolled her eyes.
Dan tapped the granite counter with his fingertips as he waited for Jennifer to end the phone call she was on. It sounded as though someone had just set up an appointment for a cut and color.
“Hello again. How can I help you?” she asked with an approving smile as she hung up the phone.
“Hi there. I was wondering if Tina has any openings for a shave in the next ten minutes.”
“I’ll ask if she can squeeze you in. Your name is?”
“Dan Mason. She knows me.”
Jennifer offered Dan a seat in the lounge area and excused herself t
o see if Tina could fit him in. He watched as Jennifer talked to her. The surprised look on Tina’s face as she spun around told Dan he might have a chance—at least, he hoped so. She motioned for him to come over as the old lady followed Jennifer to the counter to set up her next appointment in six weeks.
“Dan, what in the world are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be working at the Victorian?” She straightened up her work station and swept the floor beneath the chair.
Dan tried to read her face. Is she mad, surprised, or happy to see me?
***
Tina wasn’t stupid. She immediately saw through Dan’s ruse. His lame attempt at saying he really needed a shave, at lunchtime that day, was actually kind of charming. A subtle smile crossed her lips—she couldn’t help herself. He’d come to Hair Brained to find her and redeem himself, and she knew it. Tina checked the time. She had a half hour.
“You know, at some point you’ll need to learn how to shave your own face. This could get expensive… just saying. Now, get over here and sit down.”
He grinned, showing off those bright-white teeth. Tina’s heart skipped a beat or two. She draped the cape over him, fantasizing about the exquisite body that lay beneath it, and excused herself to heat up the towel. She returned, barely holding it by the corner, and dropped it on his face. He let out a loud grunt. “Damn it, woman, did you run that through the microwave five times?”
“Maybe… I was just checking.”
“Checking what?”
“You said guys don’t scream—they just grunt. I was checking to see if you were telling the truth.”
“Is there any skin left?” he asked, still groaning.
“Some… now shut your mouth so I can get this done.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Dan reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out his cell phone as Tina slathered shave cream across his cheeks and down his neck.
“Hold still.”
“One second here.” He held the phone at eye level. “Okay, give it to me.” He looked at her, his eyes dancing brightly, locked with hers.
“Aren’t you the cocky one? And what is it you want me to give you? Don’t you realize that’s a dangerous question to ask someone holding a sharp blade?”
“You’re right… sorry. Tina may I please have your phone number? Coffee together would be nice some morning, or even lunch on a Tuesday when you aren’t working.”
Tina set the blade down and wiped her hands on the towel. “Let me do it. I don’t need everyone in the salon hearing me give you my number. Do you have any idea how fast gossip travels from Hair Brained to every other establishment in town? Okay, I’ve got to finish you off.” She stared at him, stunned and embarrassed by her own words. She burst out laughing. “Oops… that wasn’t exactly what I meant to say.”
“Really? I thought it sounded perfect.” He chuckled.
Tina swatted him with the towel. “Beat it. I’m going to have to keep a fly swatter here for people like you.” She removed the cape and sent him on his way.
Dan looked back, smiled that smile, and made the hand gesture as if to say, “I’ll call you.”
Tina smirked, cleaned up the area, and called Carol over to the chair for her trim. There was nothing Tina could do to wipe the smile off her face. Vic gave her a thumbs-up as she applied the pinkish-blue dye to old Mrs. Bradley’s thinning hair.
Expecting a phone call that night already, Tina went home in a joyful state of mind. She sang along to the music playing on the radio. Classic rock always put her in a good mood. Tina called Sasha to hear if Dan had mentioned her when he got back to the Victorian after lunch.
Sasha answered on the second ring. “What’s up, girly girl?”
“So, how did Dan act this afternoon?” she asked as she started boiling the water for her mac and cheese.
“How would I know? Was there something I forgot to do?”
“He didn’t talk about me?”
“No, I didn’t see him. We spent the day at Josh’s house because of the dust. We just got home an hour ago. The guys were already gone, but the plaster is looking really good. Should I call him? Was there something he was supposed to tell me?”
“Never mind, you didn’t miss anything. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Go have fun with the family.”
Tina’s mood soured by the time she finished dinner. She rinsed off the plate that had held creamy macaroni and cheese and a hot dog and placed it in the dishwasher. The ketchup and mustard were put back in the door of the refrigerator. With more than enough emphasis, she gave the door an extra hard slam. Condiment jars rattled against each other and tipped over inside, but she didn’t care. Tina checked her phone several times, trying to convince herself she’d missed a call, but there weren’t any. The volume was on high, and the battery had a full charge. By nine o’clock, she accepted the fact that her phone wouldn’t ring that night. She reluctantly put on her robe and slippers and plopped down on the couch to find something on TV to distract her. The last thing she wanted to do was obsess over any man, especially Dan Mason.
***
Dan had forgotten all about his sister’s surprise fortieth birthday party. He got home at six and found his parent’s house decorated to the hilt and full of Heidi’s friends. She, and her husband Mark, were expected to arrive for dinner at six thirty. His mom shoved him down the hallway the second he walked through the front door. He was instructed to take a quick shower and dress nicely. He didn’t have much time to get ready and had no time to make the phone call he originally intended to make.
Two more days passed. Dan and his crew finished the plastering on Thursday and did their best to clean up some of the mess they’d created. Shop-Vacs hummed as they sucked up white plaster dust, hopefully leaving less work for Sasha to do before painting. Wiping the beads of sweat off his brow with his forearm, Dan carried an armful of maple trim boards into the kitchen. Today, they would install all of the finish framework around the sliders, the floor-trim molding and the crown molding along the ceiling. Their work in Sasha’s kitchen would be finished in a few hours. The painters were outside discussing colors for the railings, floor, and spindles with Sasha. She wanted the deck colors to match the Victorian—she just didn’t know which colors to paint where. Dan, Jeff, and Bill had stationed their outdoor work area along the side of the house now that there were power outlets everywhere. Later, they would dig out the area around the bricked, concrete slab to pour the footings for the pergola.
Chapter Seventeen
Tina busied herself preparing for the expo in Rochester. She and Vic discussed adding a new product line for the salon. They had research to do before Tina left on Saturday. She was elected to host a presentation showing the latest highlighting techniques and the hottest hairstyles the celebrities were wearing that year.
She stopped at Hair Brained on her way out of town late Saturday afternoon. She loaded the car with products and grabbed the hotel paperwork and schedule from Jennifer’s desk, right where she knew it would be. Before she walked out, Tina filled a water bottle and grabbed a four-pack of Merlot from the shelf in the back. She already had a small cooler with snacks and two sandwiches to tide her over on the five-hour drive. She looked around the salon, reciting silently all the things she needed and making sure she had them, then reset the alarm and closed the door behind her. She drove through the downtown area, heading toward I-87.
Tina thought about Dan as she drove, deciding to let go of the hurt feelings she’d had a few nights before. There was too much going on at the expo for her to obsess about anything else. She would get back to Dan next week. As hard as she tried, there was nothing she could do to stop the daydreams that floated through her mind as she drove. Tina pictured being a real couple with Dan, or anybody for that matter. The idea of it was so far from her norm she didn’t believe it could even happen. But the scenarios she imagined were wickedly hot and delicious. Tina hadn’t been intimate with a man since college. Wow, am I pathetic or what? I probably wo
uldn’t even remember how to get aroused, let alone do the deed. But the idea of sex sent tingles down her spine, ending conveniently in her quivering loins. Damn… either I need to get laid good and proper, or I need to get it out of my head and go back to my life as a male basher. Daydreaming about it isn’t going to hold me over for the rest of my life.
Tina stopped for gas and a bathroom break when she reached Monticello. She was angry with herself for choosing this route. The distance was shorter and there were fewer tolls than other routes, but winding roads and small towns slowed her down. At the rate she was going, she wouldn’t get to Rochester until midnight. She’d finished the sandwiches in her cooler a long time ago, and she was dying for a cup of coffee. The drive was monotonous, and darkness was creeping in. Tina continued on for another hour and a half, finally stopping for a break in Binghamton. She slowed at the exit ramp and turned east, driving two blocks until she found the all-night diner that had been advertised along the highway. A late meal and plenty of coffee should get her back on the road and alert for the rest of the way. A few truckers sat in the small establishment with their big rigs idling outside in the oversized parking lot. Tired faces turned in her direction as she entered through the smudged glass door. Four booths lined the wall, and nine stools faced the lunch counter. Tina chose a booth. It looked as though the truckers had dibs on the stools anyway. The waitress walked over with a pot of coffee, which to Tina looked like the elixir of the gods.
“Would you care for some coffee, ma’am?”
“Definitely. Thank you. I’ll take a menu too, please.” The young woman, probably in her late teens, went behind the counter to retrieve a menu. She wore her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail secured with an orange ribbon, no makeup, and a stained apron over her orange dress with brown trim. The color of the dress reminded Tina of A&W root beer. She was a cute girl but plain, possibly a look she gave herself deliberately to ward off any unwanted advances. The only other employee was the cook on the opposite side of the wall in the kitchen. Tina caught a glimpse of him now and then when he dinged the bell and yelled out that the order was up and waiting. He looked to be a middle-aged man, slim, with gray hair and a fatherly appearance. I bet he’s her dad, and this is a family business. Tina yawned and browsed through the menu.