Page 93 of Hard Hat Hottie

It will take commitment on my part to really slow things down. Heck, we might even need counseling. Although, something tells me that Charlene could moonlight as a couples’ counselor.

“What color are we thinking for these nails?” she asks.

Reaching up, I remove the cucumber slices to find her shaking several different colors of nail polish in each hand. Yet it’s not the ones she’s displaying that have my attention. “Fire engine red,” I answer as I peer at her distinctive nails.

She smiles brightly at me. “You got it!”

“Did you paint Carolyn’s nails that color?”

“I sure did.” Her smile is so bright. I’m glad Harrison and his mother had this fireball in their life.

“I did too,” I mumble, remembering that fateful day.

“Yeah? I’m hoping she’s showing them off to everyone up there,” Charlene says, looking up at the ceiling for a moment before uncapping the vibrant polish.

“Charlene?” I whisper.

She leans in. “Yes?”

“I’m scared.”

Placing the little bottle off to the side, she stands and pulls me in for a hug. As she lets me go, I find my green apple mask all over her hair and face.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be silly. Gives me an excuse to pamper myself along with you a little.” Our laughter is interrupted as Shay saws out the loudest snore I’ve ever heard. We both giggle.

“Well, she did have to work late last night.”

“Catch a cat nap where you can, I say.” Wiping the face mask off her cheek with a towel, she sits back down in her chair. But before she begins painting my nails, she looks up at me in earnest. “Harlow, I’ve been through a lot with men too. Not the same as you. But it’s taken me a long time to put myself out thereagain.” She pauses. “It’s not easy trusting someone after you’ve been hurt. I’m scared too.” She pauses as she fiddles with the towel in her lap. This incredibly vivacious woman hides her pain where no one else sees. “I want the fairy tale.”

“You’ll get it, Charlene. I have no doubt.”

Looking back up at me, she gives me a hopeful expression. “You will too. I can be your fairy godmother. If you’ll let me.”

I laugh. “What do you mean?”

“Give him another chance, Harlow. I know you’re scared. So is he. But isn’t that how the best fairy tales are supposed to be? Overcoming all odds to be together?”

Sitting back in my chair, I consider her question. That and the fact I’ve been dying to go to him all week.

Charlene finishes polishing my fingers and my toes before she stands. “Let these dry for a few minutes. Kick back and relax. Maybe not as much as her.” She snickers, pointing an elbow at Shay. “I’m going to put on some music. Do you need anything?”

“No, thank you.”

“Okay. I’ll check on you in a bit.”

Laying my head back, I close my eyes and try to enjoy the remainder of my afternoon. All of a sudden, the melody of a song I haven’t heard in years starts to play. I can’t recall the singer’s name, but she croons about not taking life for granted. That when you’re given the opportunity to sit it out or dance, you should dance. I hang on every word of the chorus, more certain by the end of the song that I’m giving this thing with Harrison another go. Scary or not.

A few moments later, Charlene escorts me to a sink in the back to wash the mask away.

“Charlene?”

“Yeah?”

“I want the fairy tale too.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

---