Page 8 of All of Me

I look to Mom who gazes at me knowingly. I shake my head trying hard to keep the tears at bay. Damn them! I need to escape. I need to get away from the music and the memories of him. So, I rush outside into the street, where the wind smacks my face only making it harder for me to breathe. My heart hammers while I lean against a pole and try to suck in a long, deep breath.

Mom steps outside to comfort me, placing her hand on my back. I turn and hug her tightly. She holds me while the emotion of being without my soul mate becomes too much to bear.

“Oh fuck,” Mom murmurs quietly. “Jeni, let’s go back inside.” She ushers me toward the door of the salon with a strong push.

“Why? What’s going on?” I raise an eyebrow at her sudden frantic movements.

“Jeni, just go inside. Please,” Mom begs as she looks past me.

My chest tightens, but I spin around, following her line of sight down the street. Mike’s car has pulled up at the restaurant next to the salon. Mike steps out to open the back door. Aiden slides effortlessly out of the vehicle, and a young, very thin, ridiculously pretty brunette gracefully joins him.

My eyes widen, and my bottom lip trembles ever so slightly.

“Jeni, go inside.”

I continue to look at Aiden and the gorgeous model-type who’s accompanying him. Aiden’s cleanly shaven. His hair is disheveled but in that good way that I loved, and he looks deliciously gorgeous. He edges his hand down on her lower back and walks with her inside the restaurant.

A loud grunt escapes me as jealousy floods every single fiber of my being.

Who the fuck is she?

Mike’s eyes shift, turning and focusing on me. He smiles, nodding his head once as Aiden walks into the restaurant with his new girl without even noticing me.

“Didn’t take him long,” I whisper, my face contorted in disgust.

Mike frowns, something registering on his face, then he turns, rushing inside the restaurant after Aiden.

“Mom, I have to leave.”

“Of course, honey.”

I run inside the salon, grab my bag, and hurry back out to the street to jump into my car. Shoving the keys in the ignition, Mike and Aiden quickly rush out of the restaurant looking directly at me. My hands shake, a cold sweat invades my skin, so I cast my eyes down, start my car, then slam hard on the accelerator, speeding off before they can reach me. Glancing in the rearview mirror as I drive away, I see Aiden in the middle of the street watching me. Clear defeat in his features. My heart pummels in my chest as I turn dramatically down a side street, then pull up with such force, my tires smash into the curb. I let out a heaving breath as I shove my head in my hands, flopping onto the steering wheel.

How could he move on so quickly?

Aiden was a mess when I left, and now he seems fine, and I’m the mess? Guess this is what karma feels like. I’m so damn stupid. Of course, he’s going to move on. He is, after all, one of the most eligible bachelors in all of Mornington Vale, and there are a swarm of willing women out there ready to latch on.

I smack the steering wheel in frustration a few times, then flop back in my seat. Eventually, I calm myself and gather enough strength to make my way back to Sarah’s. Slowly, I walk in the front door and down the hallway. Music’s playing in the living room, but Sarah and Chris are nowhere to be seen.

Immediately, I know where they are—damn, I so don’t want to hear that right now. Walking to the bathroom, I strip down and take a long, hot shower, letting the water cascade over my body. I see the image again in my head—Aiden and that pretty bitch, with his hand on her back.

Eventually, my frustrations get the better of me, and I slide down the wall into an emotional ball on the shower floor.

Who’s the fool now?

My head is pounding, and I have sore, puffy eyes. I can’t decide if I’m going to work today or not, knowing I won’t be of any use to my mom with the mood I’m in.

My phone beeps, and I check to see who it is.

Mom: Morning honey, just wondering if you’re coming in today? We could really use a hand if you’re able, it’s going to be hectic. I love you so much. xxx

Instantly, guilt overruns me about wallowing instead of being where I am supposed to be. Getting out of bed without another thought, I hit Reply.

Jenifer: Hi, Mom. Yes, of course, I’ll be in. I love you too. xx

In a rush, I get ready and make my way to work, feeling weighed down with the lingering emotions.

Walking casually into the salon but with my head down, Mom rushes over, throwing her arms around me. “Hey, honey, how are you feeling?”

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