Page 50 of My Heart To Heal

Out of the bath, I dry my hair, put on some PJs, and start to prepare some dinner for Jonah and me. When the door knocks, I inhale deeply and prepare to be grateful at the same time as I push him away.

‘Hey.’ I smile brightly as Jonah runs inside excitedly, and my gaze meets Nick’s. ‘Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome.’

His voice is soft and warm, and I hate that I can’t allow myself to fully trust him.

‘Was he good?’

‘Golden.’

I nod, thankful. ‘Thanks for this, Nick.’

‘You got it, Miss.’

Holding his gaze for a moment, I battle the temptation to invite him in, and I know he reads my hesitation.

‘Get some rest, okay?’ he smiles, and I exhale, ‘big day tomorrow.’

Winking, he backs away, and I swallow hard as I close the door.

I’mopening my salontoday. I am opening my very own hair salontoday.

I stare at my bedroom ceiling and process that reality. It’s here, the day is here, and I am so excited.

Reaching for my phone I check the time — it’s early. I could go back to sleep, but I know that is not happening, so I push up out of bed and head for the bathroom.

Jonah is still asleep, so I put on some coffee and enjoy the peace and quiet while I can. Today is going to be pretty crazy, and I can’t wait. I somehow managed to rent out my other station before we even opened, and I didn’t even need to advertise it. Kacey, a stylist I used to work with, got in touch to ask how my salon was coming along. We got to talking, and she said she was looking to make a move. She’s not going to live in Forest Falls, but we’re only forty minutes from her home, and that’s an acceptable commute for her.

So, we have a morning of celebration, followed by an afternoon of cutting hair, and I can’t wait.

‘Morning, mama.’ My bleary-eyed little man emerges from his bedroom, and I smile, opening my arms to him.

‘Good morning, my baby. You sleep okay?’

Jonah climbs onto my lap, and I hold him close. I know these kind of hugs won’t last forever. Truthfully, he’s getting a little big now, but I’m going to keep taking them for as long as he’s giving them out.

‘Yep, it was a good one.’

I laugh lightly. ‘Did you go to the bathroom?’ He shakes his head, and I kiss him there. ‘Go on, honey.’

How did I get so lucky? I have a beautiful little boy who, yeah, is testing me a little at times lately, but for the most part, he’s a kind, happy little soul. My life is so good right now. I can’t afford to rock the boat.

After breakfast, I get Jonah into the shower and am loading the dishwasher when there’s a knock at the door, his knock. My stomach jumps, and I brace myself on the counter for a moment before going over to open the door.

‘Mornin’.’ He smiles wide behind the huge bunch of beautiful bright flowers of orange, blue, and yellow.

‘What the…’

‘Just to say good luck, and I’m proud of you.’ He hands them over, and I stare at the flowers in my hands. Nobody ever gave me flowers before.

‘I…’

‘I’ll see you later, Miss.’ He smiles as I raise my gaze to meet his, but I’m speechless as he raises his earbuds to his ears and backs away. Then he’s gone, and I burst into tears right there on my doorstep.

What the hell am I doing? This man is not Bax. He wouldn’t hurt me the way Bax did, so why can’t I just let go and tell him I want more?

No. I can’t think about this right now. Carrying the flowers to my dining table, I wipe my cheeks and catch my breath. I have a son to get out of the shower. I have a salon to open.

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