“Actually, I have a two thirty,” she said. “Mrs. Patmore.”
He smiled. “I saw her on the street, actually. She was heading to that other salon.”
“She was?” she said with a gasp, hating that broken little sound in her throat. “Well that’s just freaking great.”
Allan brightened, stepping forward. “So you have time to take one walk-in, then?”
She gestured to the barber chair, feeling helpless. With her rent going up, she couldn’t really afford to turn a paying customer away. Maybe she could work extra hours. Run a sale on mani/pedi combos, work on her days off, bring in some extra clients…
“So how is work going?” Allan asked as she settled the cape over him and pulled out her scissors.
She began to cut, thinking hard. She could do Allan’s haircut by heart—she’d been doing it for him for years, even before she had her salon. Even when they’d been between engagements in the past, she’d cut his hair for him. Then he’d smile at her, buy her something expensive, then beg for forgiveness. Losing her had changed him, he’d tell her. It had made him rethink his priorities and what he wanted was her. And yet every time they’d get back together, she’d find out about another girl, and nothing would change.
And it all started with another haircut. Beth Ann gave Allan’s smiling face a wary glance.
“I miss you,” he said softly as she began to cut.
“Don’t, Allan,” she said. “I don’t want to hear it.”
“It’s true. We were good together. You know we were.”
If we were so good together, how come you kept cheating on me? she wanted to say, but bit the words back. Instead, she just continued to cut, lifting thick strands of his hair and snipping. Allan had always had thick, beautiful hair. Curse that it should be on such an unfaithful man.
“Huh.”
“What?” She glanced up at him, cutting carefully.
“Your dress. It’s rather low cut in the back, don’t you think?”
It was rather low cut. That was why she liked it. “Is it?” she said lightly. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“It’s not like you.” He frowned at her reflection for a moment, and then his easy smile returned. “You know what Mrs. D said to me last week?”
“No, but I’m sure you’ll tell me.”
“She told me that she missed seeing you with me. And you know what, Bethy-babe? I miss seeing you with me, too.”
“Allan, if you don’t stop it, I’m going to cut you a bald spot,” she warned, shaking her scissors at him.
“But…” He gave her a hurt look, one that had never failed to wring her heart in the past. “I don’t understand why you won’t give me another chance.”
“Because every time I give you another chance, you hurt me again, Allan. I’m tired of being hurt. It’s time that I have someone I trust in my life.”
And her entire body flushed just thinking about Colt. She had him, didn’t she? A man that pulled her into his arms and held her close, a man that protected her. Made her feel safe. Secure. Adored. She glanced in the mirror, saw Allan’s devastated look, and sighed. “This isn’t good, Allan. I’ve moved on. You need to move on, too.”
“I can’t move on. You’re the love of my life.” His voice dropped into a low whisper that cracked. “My life is no good without you, Bethy-babe. Please come back to me.”
She stopped. Put down her scissors. There was a dull ache in her chest. She’d loved Allan for so long. And when he was good to her, he was very good. But she didn’t matter to him. She had never mattered to him. She was just his favorite accessory. When her feelings were hurt, he hadn’t noticed. When he’d slept with other women, he’d thought that it was a problem that could be easily fixed with enough apologizing and gifts. He didn’t understand her.
“I need a minute, Allan,” she murmured, and headed to the back room.
“I’ll be here,” he called after her, his voice sad with longing.
That just made her feel worse. She closed the door to the back room and leaned against it, willing the guilt to go away. Beth Ann breathed deep, rubbing her temples. Allan pressed her relentlessly whenever he saw her. It gave her such a headache. She popped a few Tylenol, then tucked the rest into her purse, and brought it back into the main room with her. Colt’d be picking her up soon enough. She just had to put up with Allan for a bit longer and then boot him out of the shop.
When she emerged, he was still looking at her with sad eyes. “Will you take me back?”
“Allan, please. You know I can’t have a relationship without trust. I won’t do that to myself again. Ever again. And I can’t trust you. And I won’t be in a relationship with you anymore.”
He caught her hand, stared at her in the mirror. “Then let me rebuild your trust. One step at a time.”
“There is no rebuilding,” she said. “You lied to me one too many times. I won’t be with someone who lies to me and acts like what I want means nothing.”
“And I’m working hard to change my ways,” he said, and as she watched, he pulled a long, velvet box out of his pocket and held it out to her.
Beth Ann moved to the counter and threw her scissors down. “Good lord, Allan. Not again.”
“It’s for you. I thought of you and wanted you to have it. No strings attached.”
No strings attached, her lily white butt. Beth Ann shook her head, didn’t move toward the jewelry. “I don’t want it. Even if I took it, I’d just pawn it for money.”
He brightened, and she knew she’d said the wrong thing. “I can take care of you if you’re having money trouble. Let me help you.”
“I don’t want help,” she gritted. “Allan, please. Just stop it.”
He reached for her hand again, but she sidled away. “Not until you promise to come back to me,” he said stubbornly. “I’ll change your mind.”
“She can’t come back to you if she’s with me,” Colt drawled, and stepped into the salon.
She looked up in surprise. When did he get here? She hadn’t heard. He must have sat in one of the two waiting area chairs, listening to the conversation with Allan. She froze. What had he heard? Was he mad at her?