Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
As soon as Jason and Ava had left, Ryan had slid into the booth opposite me. We had spent a frustrating fifteen minutes talking about the hair salon. He wouldn’t say why he was asking all these questions, just that they were a part of an “ongoing investigation.” I tried to be as helpful as I could, but some of the questions seemed pretty stupid. Were there any recurring deliveries? Were there any massive improvement projects that involved contractors? No and no. As far as I could tell, the hair salon was functioning as it had for the past six years. We invited clients in and cut their hair. There wasn’t anything else going on.
I took the exchange as an opportunity to study Ava’s ex. He was cute, in a small-town, innocent kind of way. I knew all about how he had cheated on Ava with the high school prom queen, who was now a semi-alcoholic divorcée with two kids. It was the same old story, depressing because it was so common. Ryan hadn’t been able to keep it in his pants, and Ava deserved better.
When I had finally finished primping, I dressed for work and climbed into my car. I was no longer alone up here on the mountain. It wasn’t my secret retreat anymore. Even though Jason wasn’t physically here, I was reminded of him at every turn. The tire marks from his truck were easy to identify in the dirt. I would have to get used to having a roommate, I thought reluctantly. It would be so much easier if he wasn’t so hot and confusing.
I eased off the brake and pointed my car down the hill, coasting until I reached the main road. At work, I found Ava reading a magazine. There were no customers yet.
I hurried over to talk to her. “Tell me about last night,” I demanded before I even sat down.
Ava folded the magazine back onto the end table in the waiting area. “You first.”
“Ryan was a perfect gentleman,” I said quickly, “though I know he is not.”
“Did he ask about me?” Ava wondered.
I shook my head. “Did Jason ask about me?”
“No,” Ava said. “He was more concerned about things going on in the salon. He asked me if we had any major renovations recently or if we received any shipments.”
“That’s what Ryan asked me,” I said.
“Jason was talking about those four women who died of the drug overdose,” Ava rushed on, her eyes haunted with worry. “You don’t think they had something to do with our salon, do you?”
“No,” I said to put her fears to bed.
“Then why were they asking all those questions?”
I sighed. “Maybe they’re asking all the businesses on Main Street.”
Ava scowled. “I don’t think so.” She looked up at me, an idea forming in her mind. “What if you ask Jason at the cabin? Get him to open up to you. Find out what’s really going on?”
“I don’t think…” I hesitated, trying to figure out a way to explain the messed-up situation at the cabin. “We don’t have that kind of relationship.”
Ava looked surprised. “What kind of relationship do you have?”
“It’s complicated,” I sighed.
“Girl, I’m about to get some popcorn,” Ava laughed. “Spill.”
“We had sex,” I blurted out.
Ava squeaked in delight. “How was it? Oh, is he as big as he looks?”
I blushed. “Bigger.”
She clapped excitedly. “What happened? Where were you? How many times? I need all the details.”
“Once,” I said, “but it was…” I remembered being thrust up against the hallway wall, grinding my hips into his. “The best sex I’ve ever had.”
“That’s wonderful.” Ava put her hand over mine. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I’m not so sure…” I let my attention wander to the shelves of product in the waiting area. “I think it might have been a mistake.”
Ava nodded sagely. “Mind-blowing sex is often a mistake.”
I laughed.
“Seriously,” she said. “Think about it. Do women have mind-blowing sex with their husbands? Probably not.”
I sighed. Every marriage was different, and I was willing to bet that some women were completely satisfied when it came to marital relations. “I just don’t know why he wanted to talk to you last night.”
“I don’t think it was Jason’s idea,” Ava said sadly.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Did you see how Ryan completely avoided looking at me?” Ava winced, uncomfortable even with the memory.
“No.” I shook my head. I had been so focused on Jason I hadn’t paid any attention to Ava or Ryan.
“It was like that last week too,” she said sadly. “I guess it’s really over between us.”
“Good,” I said.
She sighed.
“Seriously, Ava.” I adopted my “mom” tone. “He treated you horribly. I can’t understand why you would want to get back together with him.”
“He has a good job…” Ava began, looking down at her hands. “And he’s cute.”
“Ava…” I moaned, wishing I could make her see the light.