North Island

Chapter 7

Allie

The morning sun shines through my office window as I organize files, clean, and add personal touches to my new area.

My head is still spinning from last night, not sure how to react.

Brady came to visit me, something about him made everything I was avoiding talking about, slip off the end of my tongue.

While I don’t know if I regret it yet or not, I feel lighter.

We shared another beer and lightened the conversation last night before he left, talking about hockey, winter on the island, traveling, nothing too deep after my confessions.

He left me with a kiss on top of my head once the sky was dark.

I went to bed knowing a whole new side of Brady Woods.

My phone pinged with a new message from Kylie. Are night at the pub on Saturday I learned she owns the only and only hair salon on the island and she begged me to let her do my hair.

I sent her a text confirming my Friday hair appointment with her and I guess afterwards we’re going to a restaurant with her fiancé and Brady.

Friday

The week goes by quickly. I’ve updated all our software and transferred over all the data to the new system. Kathrine stopped by on Wednesday and I showed her my changes so far and she was very impressed. She decided that she was going to work from home using her laptop doing payroll and the employee schedules so I didn’t have to worry about that. She wanted me to put my focus into the website next instead.

This morning Brady had sent me a text requesting to meet this afternoon so I can update him on the changes as well.

I haven’t seen or talked to Brady much this week, knowing his schedule, it’s been booked with flights. Tourist season has been bringing people in from the mainland and keeping our little airport busy.

I would see him in the break room getting coffee in the morning and we’d make small talk then, mostly regarding work.

I try to remind myself he’s not avoiding me and he’s busy. At least that’s what I hope.

A knock on my office door frame pulls my attention. Brady filling up the space, he looks good today with his army green t-shirt, cargo work pants, and a ball cap backwards with sunglasses on top.

“Hey” he smiles at me, it’s breathe-taking.

“Hi” I match his contagious smile

“So, how’s your first week been? Mom called me last night, said she was very happy when she left after visiting Wednesday. I decided I needed to come and see for myself if it’s as good as she said.” He saunters over to the chair. His elbows resting on his knees with his hands together.

I smile at his mothers compliment.

“Well, of course. I was going to track you down to show you, but I knew your schedule was busy this week. So I’m glad you texted me.” I admitted

“It’s never too busy for you.” The tip of his mouth curved up.

I shift in my seat trying to ease the nerves.

I angle the monitor towards him and begin rambling on about the new implementations. Answer all his questions.

“Wow. That’s so much better than what mom had going on.” He leans back in the chair and put his hands behind his head.

“Next I’ll be working on the website. Total revamp. I was going to ask you if I could come out and take some pictures on the planes with my camera.” I added

“I think it’s a great idea. How about next week we go out on the plane and you can get some pics from above too.” He insisted

“Really?” I chimed at his statement

“Really.” Him and his damn smile

“That would be awesome.”

“Well I gotta go work on a plane. But I’ll see you tonight?” He asked walking out my office backwards

“Of course.” I gave him a wink.

I finished my end of day task and left for Kylie’s salon.

Pulling up to the address she gave me, I see she runs her salon out of garage turned business, beside her home. Similar cottage style like mine with a well manicured lawn.

Stepping into the salon, Kylie is at the sink and is washing was looks to be combs and bowls.

“Hey!” I called over the running water

“Hey girl! I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Take a seat in the chair to your right.”

She chimed, turning off the water

Taking a seat in the salon chair, I could see Kylie approaching from behind.

“So how’s working with Brady going?”

She begins brushing through my hair.

“Good. Had a good productive week and I spent the afternoon chatting over all the new software.”

“I’ve known Brady my whole life and him and Jake are pretty close. He’s actually one of the groomsmen in our wedding next month, not sure if I told you.”

“No you didn’t.”

“Yeah, Jake and I wanted him to be apart of our wedding, but I have a slight issue now.” she frowned

“What’s wrong?”

“A girl I met in beauty college was supposed to walk down the isle with him at the wedding. We were friends during school, but haven’t talked much over the years. I found out last night that she can’t make it to the wedding, so now we have more groomsmen that bridesmaids.” She bit her lip and blew out a breathe.

“I’m sorry, do you know why she can’t make it?“ I feel bad for Kylie

“I think she’s changed since college. I’ve see her twice since I moved back to the island. We’re not that close anymore and she didn’t give me a reason on why she can’t make it.”

“That’s shitty.” I snapped

“It is what is it. I’ll figure something out. Anyways, I want to try something with your hair other than just trimming the ends.” She looks at me through the mirror

“Okay, what do you want to do?” I’m pretty simple. My hair is a dark chocolate brown.

“I want to go a little darker on your hair, almost black, then I want to add some carmel highlights through it. I think it’ll make your eyes pop.” She’s grinning ear to ear analyzing my hair.

I normally don’t do anything with my hair, so I never thought about her coloring it.

“You know, what the hell, sure. Maybe I need something different.” I smile back at her.

“Ahhh, yes, thank you. I’m so excited. I think you’ll love it.” She runs over to a cabinet pulling out different items.

Kylie takes her time doing my hair, first coloring it a dark, dark brown, and then taking strips hair adding highlights. Once she unwraps the foils, she takes me to the sink to wash out the color.

Back at the booth, she brushes and drys my hair with me facing the opposite direction so I can’t look in the mirror. She insist I need to be surprised.

Finally she had some curls.

“Done!” She sang “you ready to see?”

“Yes girl, the suspense is killing me.”

Kylie twist the chair so I can now see the mirror. Damn, this girl did good. My new ebony hair with caramel highlights that stand out. So different than anything I’ve ever done, but it looks so good. She was right it really makes my eyes pop. She added soft curls that bring out the highlights even more.

“Kylie, thank you. It looks amazing.” I stand up and hug her.

“I’m glad you love it. You look beautiful.”

“Alright, so we’re going to meet in an hour at Lana Grill?”

“Of course. Brady’s going to swoon when he see’s you.”

“He might be hot, but I need my job.” I countered

“Do you forget mom and dad worked together..?.” She raises her eyebrows

“Yeah, but that’s different. They were married. What if we try it and it doesn’t work out. Then I’m f****d. Also I don’t even know if he likes me.” I went on

“That’s not what I heard.” She laughed

“What?!”

“He was talking to Jake about you one night. They were out back sharing a beer. He said that he really liked you working there and that you’re hot, but didn’t think you were looking for a relationship right now.” She claimed

I don’t say anything regarding Brady back, I give her some money even though she insisted it was her treat to me and left to get ready for dinner.

Brady was a great guy, we flirted, and he possibly liked me more than just the girl in the office, but he’s right. I’m not sure what I want. Just getting out of a relationship, I feel like I’m finding myself all over again. I don’t want to put Brady through that.

After taking Asher for quick walk after arriving home, I began to get ready for dinner. I search my closet, picking out an off the shoulder black top with a pair of frayed blue jean shorts. Applying makeup for more of a night out look than my daily work look.

I arrived at Lana’s Grill, the place is packed and Kylie raved about the food being delicious. I get out of my SUV and Kylie meets me in the parking lot.

“Hey, I thought I’d come get you since it’s busy.”

“Oh thanks, lead the way.”

She grabs my hand leading me up to the restaurant that offers indoor and outdoor dining. A small cover band plays country music in the corner of the outside deck.

Following Kylie, I spot Jake first then Brady. His wide eyes lock with mine.

“Hey guys!” I grinned

“Hey, you don’t mind if we dine outdoors, do you?” Jake ask me

“No, of course not. It’s a beautiful night.”

The sun has just set in the sky and the warm air wraps around me with a light breeze. I look from Jake to Brady who’s still staring at me, but hasn’t said a word. Maybe he doesn’t like my hair or something. Then hostess leads us to a table on the deck overlooking the water and pink sky.

Waiting on Jake and Kylie to settle in their chairs before I sit, I feel a large hand press on the small of my back.

“You look breathtaking tonight.” Jake huskily whispers in my ear, sending goosebumps across my skin.

I turn my head to look at his face

“Thank you.” I rasp back, not finding my voice

He pulls out a chair and motions for me to sit.

The night goes on, we drink, and finish our delicious meals. Now we just sit here talking under the night sky. The place has emptied out and the band is still playing. Some people are dancing in front of the impromptu stage.

“So Allie, Jake and I were talking after you left and I want to ask you something.” She announced

“Okay?” I draw out, nervous for her question

“So you know how I told you about me being a bridesmaid short earlier. Well I know we just became friends, but I’d like you to be one of my bridesmaids. You’d walk down the isle with Brady.” She clapped her hands

I sit there stunned unsure what to say. I’ve never been any wedding and attended very few. Her wedding is only a couple weeks away.

Brady’s leg nudges mine

“Say yes” he says looking at me

“Yes” I keep my eye focused on Kylie

“Yay!” She jumps out of her chair and rounds the table to give me a hug.

“Thank you!” She pulls away, keeping her hands on my shoulder.

“You’re welcome, but like I need to get a dress asap.” I laugh

“Yes, so I have Ana’s dress she was going to wear. You’re more than welcome to try it on first. All the girls are wearing a gray dress but different styles.”

“Okay, I will try on her dress first.”

We continue laughing and talking until the waitress gives us a kind reminder than closing in 30 minutes. We all head out and Kylie and Jake take off to his truck saying goodnight. Brady stays beside me and puts his hand on the small of my back like earlier. I can feel the heat spreading from my back to down in between my legs. Since when does a man’s simple touch turn me on.

“Where you parked at?” He questions

“Uh, right over there I think.” Pointing to the back right of the parking lot.

We start walking that way, but I see his truck parked on the other side of where Jake’s was.

“Isn’t that you truck over there?” I look back at it.

“Yeah, but I want to walk you to your car. It’s dark out.” He leans in closer to my ear

I let out a laugh. “Is there crime on this island I don’t know about?”

“No.” He smirks

“Hmmm” I huh flirtatiously

“I really like your hair.” He compliments

“Thanks, it was Kylie’s idea. She’s really talented.”

The breeze picks up and it’s a little chillier than before and it sends a shiver down my body.

“You cold?” He wraps his arm around my shoulders and tugs me closer to his side.

I can feel the warmth of his body radiating off of him.

We finally make it to my car and I turn to him. “Well thank you for making sure I made it to my car safe without anyone harassing me.” I teased looking around the empty parking lot.

“You’re welcome, I kinda need you at work.” He teases back

I smile and shake my head, I turn to grab my door handle when his hand grabs my arm and I freeze.

He turns me back around to face him, but he doesn’t say anything, just looks me up and down.

“God Allie, you’re beautiful.”

I see his eyes land on my lips and I’m still frozen.

He reaches up and pushes a side of my hair behind my ear. My heart is hitting my rib cage of anticipation that he may kiss me, but I don’t know what that will do to us at work.

“Allie, I’m going to kiss you.”

My lips part and he cups both side of my cheeks with his hands and crashes his lips down on mine.

The kiss is an all consuming want. I stumble back against my car and move my hand around to the back of his head, pushing my finger through his silky hair.

His kiss deepens the kiss and I part my mouth enough to let his tongue in to play with mine. One hand moved to my waist, gripping my hip and the other beside my head resting on the car.

He pulls away and gives my jawline, nipping on the bottom of my earlobe.

A small moan slips from me and his nose rubs against my temple.

“f**k, Allie.” He pulls back and looks into my eyes. I wonder if he regrets it now.

I flutter my lashes, and kiss him on the cheek. “Goodnight Brady.”

I get in my car and leave, him still standing where I left him.