Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
I nod, putting way too much value in the words from this woman that I’ve never talked to before. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
She nods and tucks her head back under the dryer just as Ally comes from the back room. She doesn’t look at me, instead staring at the floor in front of me.
I take the opportunity to look at her. Her eyes look tired, and I know she’s not resting like she’s supposed to be. I’m glad she went out with Natalie and her friends last night, but it looks as if she’s paying for it today. I take in the expanse of her belly, and my hands itch at my sides, wanting to touch her. Her long red hair curls down her back, and even now after all these years, she takes my breath away. She’s always been beautiful to me, and I hate that she’s self-conscious now that she’s put on weight. She doesn’t realize that she’s beautiful this way too.
Ally finally walks over to me after straightening up her station. “Hey, Austin, my schedule is full today. My next appointment should be here any moment. You want me to see if Olivia or someone has an opening?”
I get up from my seat and stand to my full height. “I’m your next appointment.”
She looks down at her phone in her hand and then back at me. “You’re Kennedy?” She shakes her head and gestures toward her station. “Why did you book it under your middle name?”
I wait until I’m seated before I respond. “Because I thought you would find a way to cancel my appointment or something if you knew it was me. You’ve been avoiding me.”
Her cheeks turn pink, and she looks guilty as she peeks at me in the mirror. “I haven’t been avoiding you.”
She grabs the apron and lays it over me, securing it at my neck. I keep my gaze fixed on her in the mirror. “You have been, and I’m trying not to take it personally and to give you time…”
She starts to speak, and when she sees the curious gazes from those around us, she leans in, her back to the room, and says what she has to say so low that I have to strain to hear her. “Give me time? You’re telling everyone that we’re getting married and this is your baby.:.”
She puts her hand to her stomach protectively, and I don’t fight off the urge any longer. I reach my hand out and cover her hand with my own, curling my fingers around hers. “Ally, I know you hate it when I try to tell you what to do, so I’m going to ask you. Will you please marry me and will you please let me be the father to your baby?”
She gasps and bites on to her lower lip. She wants to say yes, I know she does, but I also know that she’s not going to give in so easily. She’s already shaking her head. “I can’t, Austin. You know I can’t.”
I hate to be told no, and I don’t have to hear it often, but coming from Ally, it sucks even more. “I know you can. All you have to do is say yes.”
She raises up and steps away from my touch. Her hand feathers through my hair, and then she nudges me on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s wash it.”
She walks away, and I get up to follow her. She’s washed my hair every two weeks for the last few years so I know the drill. I get into the chair and lean back. I suck in a breath as she leans over me, her pregnant belly pushed into my shoulder. “I’m not done with this conversation, Ally.”
She smiles at me, and it’s the first real smile I’ve seen on her face in a while. “I know you’re not. Trust me, I know we’ll probably talk this to death, but can we do it somewhere else?”
She lifts her eyes and looks around the room, but my eyes never leave her face. I know what she sees. Everyone is watching us. It’s like this everywhere we go, and I know a lot of it has to do with the fact that I’ve made sure to tell anyone that will listen that Ally and I are getting married. Honestly, it wouldn’t be that big of news since we’ve always been seen together. I’m sure half the town thought we’d end up together anyway. No, the reason they stare is because Ally is still without a ring, and it looks as if she’s not going to be giving in any time soon.
“Fine, we can talk about it later. What time do you get off?”
She’s washing my hair, and I try to ignore the way her hands feel on me. When she doesn’t answer, I ask her again. “What time? I’ll bring over dinner.”