Chapter 9
1422 Words
I was working at the hair salon. And I had one more apt to go. Jenelle was off work that day. I was covering a lot of her shift for her. I made a lot of great tips that day though with her being gone to.
I did not mind a busy day. Because after I would be going on my hot date with Jesse. I could hardly wait for that to happen. I looked forward to my date with Jesse all week long.
Friday was finally here.
♥☆♥
"Your last apt is here Skyler. Then you are free to go" my boss announces to me.
"Thanks" I answer him.
I glance up to see who was there. There was Mark with a little girl. She had to be about twelve. He waves at me. I go over to greet them.
"Hi Mark, who is this?" I ask him.
"Meet Maggie. My daughter from my first marriage. She wants to get a haircut. Something more adult. But not to adult" he whispers to me.
"Dad!" she grumbles as she rolls her eyes.
"Right this way. Pleasure to meet you Maggie. I have heard a lot about you" I tell her.
I have her sit in a chair there. I show her a few hair styles in a book with Mark. So, he could see. That would give her a sense of style and Mark a sense of relief. Something they both might like. I find a good one. I point it out to them both.
"Here this one would be very becoming on you" I tell Maggie.
She was adorable like Mark. She seemed shy. She had glasses. And auburn red curly hair. She had to be about Stephanie's age. Jesse's niece. Maggie's brown eyes peer down to see the hair cut closer. She nods then looks over at her dad.
♥☆♥
"Dad can I get that cut?" she asks him.
He glances down at it. "Sure, if Skyler thinks it will go good with your hair" he worries.
"She will look fantastic" I promise him.
She smiles finally at me. I take her back to wash her hair then I cut it and dry it. Style it for her. I hold the mirror up for her to see her new do. She beams happily. I glance over at Mark who also seemed to like the hair style as well. Great. Win win here.
"What do you think Maggie?" I ask her.
"I love it thanks!" she brags happily. She hugs me.
"You are most welcome" I laugh.
I head over so Mark could pay for the haircut.
"Glad you are feeling better" I tell him.
He nods. "Thanks for the other night" he gratefully says. "I was wondering if you might like to come to the movies with us tonight?" he offers. "as a thank you for the other night"
"The movies? Oh, I can't" I sigh.
His face falls. "That is alright"
"I have a date with Jesse" I tell him.
"Oh" he sighs.
I smile. "Otherwise I would have loved to"
"Maybe another time?" he offers.
"Sure" I agree.
"How about Saturday?" he asks. "Maggie will still be here"
"I have no plans. Alright" I say with a smile.
"Saturday it is" says Mark. Maggie smiles shyly at me.
"Thanks again" she tells me.
"You are most welcome. I am glad we finally met" I reply happily.
After they leave, I clean up shop. I had to men wanting to date me. When some women had no one to date. I had to stop looking at the downside of things.
When I had two men begging for my time. That put me in a better mood. The phone rings there at the shop. I rush to answer it.
♥☆♥
"Skyler?" someone says on the other end.
"Jesse?" I ask.
"I am glad I caught you" he breaths out.
"Yes?" I ask.
"I can't make it tonight. Becky and I are going out. I will make it up to you. I am so sorry" he has the balls to tell me over the phone. I wince. This hurt. Like hell.
Like a band aid you knew you had to rip off. But waited till the last moment to.
"Oh, that is fine" I lie.
Tears water in my eyes.
"Are you sure?" he asks me.
"No go ahead. Not like this is some big thing. Go for it" I mutter.
"Thanks" he gratefully says. "I swear I will make it up to you" he vows.
"No worries" I lie as we hang up. The sting burned.
Tears fall. I so looked forward to this date all night. Now I was dumped. I knew how Mark felt. I brush my tears aside. Someone knocks on the door. I look up to see Mark standing there with Maggie. I go answer the door.
"I left my coat over there...." he stammers. "I am sorry"
"Oh, go ahead" I say as I try to hide my tears from them.
"Are you crying?" asks Maggie softly.
"No, I am fine" I lie with a laugh. "I had a hair get in my eye" I lie.
"What is wrong Skyler?" asks Mark as he holds his coat on his arm.
"My plans fell through" I admit. "no date" I laugh.
"Oh, Skyler I am sorry. My offer still stands. Want to go to the movies?" he offers.
Maggie smiles. "The littlest sea lion is playing" she says.
"You know what sure.... sure we can go" I agree. "I would love to"
♥☆♥
I leave with Mark and his daughter. It was not the date I was hoping for. But it was going to be a nice night. We go to Taco Bell for dinner. Maggie loved tacos.
I did not mind having tacos again that week. I did not have them that often. Then we went to the movies. Maggie was going to see the Littlest Sea Lion. It was a knock off from the Little Mermaid.
Mark spoiled us by buying everything you could imagine from the counter. All kinds of snacks. I spot Kimmy Gibbler, DJ's friend there working at the movies. She greets me before we wandered in. I spot them together. My heart sinks. I see Jesse with Becky and the girls. Of all people.
"Daddy there is my friend Stephanie" says Maggie. "can I say hello?"
"Sure, thing sweetie" says Mark.
We wander over to them.
Awkward moment.
"Hi there Steph" Maggie greets the girls.
"Hi Maggie" they answer.
"Hi there, Skyler, funny running into you here" Jesse remarks as his arm was draped around Becky's shoulder.
"Hi" I answer. "Mark invited me out"
"How lovely" he fake smiles at me.
"Aunt Becky won tickets to see this movie" brags Michelle.
"Wow how fun. Enjoy the movies you guys" I tell them.
I wanted to get away from them.
My heart felt like it was breaking inside. Aunt Becky. The cozy moment they shared right now. When we were supposed to be on our date. Mark sits us far away from the Tanner's. I try not to let myself look back over at them. It was going to hurt if I did. I sit beside Mark and Maggie.
"I am so sorry" Mark whispers to me. "we can leave" he offers.
I shake my head no. "No Maggie wants to see this movie" I say. "I am an adult. I will not act like I am in junior high here" I tell him.
Mark smiles. "Good!" he agrees. I smile back.
The movie starts. And I let Mark place an arm around my shoulders. The movie was a blur to me. I sip on cola and eat popcorn. Maggie was loving the movie. I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. When I come out, I run right into Jesse.
♥☆♥
"You look like your having fun with Mark. You must be so really devoted to me" he whispers at me sarcastically.
"I don't have to justify myself to you Jesse. You dumped me to be with Becky" I remind him. "our date was for tonight. You're loss!" I snap.
Anger rises in me. He glares at me.
Suddenly his arms grab me pulling me close to him. His lips fall to mine. I groan softly as I weakly give into his kiss. His lips felt so good on mine. So right. Where I belonged. With him. My heart gives away secrets they should not be.
"Dad said I could go to the bathroom" Maggie speaks up.
I gasp as I pull away from Jesse. Maggie was talking to Stephanie.
"I love this movie don't you?" Stephanie asks.
Maggie nods. "I love it"
I glare at Jesse then book it back to my seat. I felt shook by that heated kiss by the bathroom.
"Everything alright?" Mark whispers to me.
"Perfectly fine" I lie.
What a long long night....
• ❤︎ •• ❤︎ •• ❤︎ •• ❤︎ •• ❤︎ •• ❤︎ •• ❤︎
- Writer
