Page 10 of Chasing Home

And I’ve done everything in my power to avoid taking another trip to Johnny Land since. This sudden appearance has thrown a massive cowboy-sized wrench in my plans.

“I’ll let ’er know you’ll be calling. She’s home for a couple weeks now before she heads off again,” Johnny replies, and I can hear the grin in his voice.

Is it dimpled? Like it was that night?

Doesn’t fucking matter.

I keep my eyes down and set the bottle on the desk before reaching for the debit machine and putting in the price. That tingle you get when you know someone’s watching you hits me a beat later, and I know without having to glance up that it’s not Anna looking at me this time.

Maybe he won’t even speak to me. Who’s to say he hasn’t forgotten all about our dancing? I’ve done a great job of keeping to myself since that night, and he seems like a smart guy. Smart enough to read and understand the signs I’m showing him.

“You get sweeter with age, handsome. I appreciate it,” the customer adds.

I wish I knew her name. She probably mentioned it earlier, but I’ve always been terrible when it comes to remembering them.

“I have your shampoo,” I blurt out, the debit machine already extended over the raised edge of the desk.

Thank God for the soft music playing throughout the salon. Without it, the silence as the woman walks to the desk and takes the machine from me would have been too much.

I lift my stare to hers and give my best customer service smile. “Was there anything else you were wanting today? To book an appointment, maybe?”

“No. I’ve got all I came for,” she tells me kindly before turning to flash another grin at Johnny. “Thanks again. I’ll see you around, I hope?”

I can’t help but look at him as he grins right back at her and waves. There’s nothing but a calm sincerity in his eyes.

“Sure thing. See you.”

The machine beeps, and I print off her receipt before handing it to her along with the shampoo. She takes them both and strides out the door, her designer purse hung over the crook of her elbow.

Dropping my gaze again, I bend at the waist and start fidgeting with everything in the top desk drawer, waiting for Johnny to leave. I don’t know what he came here for, but the sooner he walks back out the door, the better.

Anna, the little traitor, doesn’t say a damn thing as I try not to run and hide. If I had to guess, I’d assume she’s not even around anymore. Most likely hiding in the back room like the scheming woman she is.

I feel it in the air the moment he takes a step toward me. His boots clap on the floor with every step until a moment later, they come to a stop. I swallow, accidentally slamming the drawer shut after dumping the debit machine inside of it. Once I’ve reinforced my blank expression, I stand straight and meet his waiting eyes.

The soft blue shade of them reminds me of a winter morning sky. Maybe comparing them to one of my favourite things is what had me lost in them only a month ago. Refusing to go there again, I blink and divert my stare to the blotches of deep brown freckles over his face. A safer space, but one just as beautiful.

Johnny is a gorgeous man. I’d have to be blind not to recognize that. Rugged and pretty all at once, he’s wrapped into a package with a bright red bow on top that begs me to tug on it and explore what’s beneath with eager hands.

I focus on his chin and the small dimple in the centre of it when he speaks, avoiding looking at his naturally pouty lips.

“Good morning, darlin’,” he says, all deep drawl and confidence. “Long time no see.”

“Good morning,” I reply stiffly, ignoring his last sentence.

“How are you?”

“Fine. How are you?”

I watch his lips curl from where I stare at his chin.

“Peachy. Got a good night’s sleep and managed to push my start time at the ranch this morning just in time to make my appointment.”

Right. He works at Steele Ranch, Anna’s boyfriend’s family ranch. That’s how he knows every single person in the friend group I’ve found myself being welcomed into.

“Appointment?” I ask, confused.

“My hair appointment, Rory,” he says cheekily.

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