Chapter 6: Don't Take Away My Dessert

Chloe

"You taking back your offer of dessert? That's not a nice thing to do to a woman who's had such bad day, you know."

Gone is the half smile, replaced with a full one. And damn if it isn't sexy.

"Now what kind of man would I be if I took away dessert? I'll meet you there, sound good?"

I nod once, still unsure what I'm planning to tell my overbearing friends. Okay, so overbearing isn't really the right word since they're just friends. My people who care about me.

I feel his eyes on me as I leave the office and I can't help the goofy smile spread across my face by the time I've reached the table where my friends are sitting.

"Sorry, ladies, I've gotta go see about a guy."

They all groan but Ari's the one who speaks up. "You've gotta be shitting me right now. You just gave us a line from Good Will Hunting!"

"And?"

"And the cheesy one, too! Besides, Chloe! What the hell?"

I shrug. "He invited you guys."

Choruses of "Ewww!" and "What a perv!" are shouted as they look to the door, as if he's standing there awaiting his, what, fivesome? Is that what it would be?

I burst out laughing. "No! Not that kind of thing. We're going for dessert at Balance."

"I'm so confused," my friend Elizabeth whispers.

"I really don't get it either," I admit, "but dessert sounds amazing and I'm tired of everything happening to me. It's time I take control of my own life and do something for myself."

"So?" Elizabeth starts, looking at our friends, "Do you want us to come with you?"

I shrug as if I could care less, even though I really don't want them joining us. "It's up to you guys."

Ari stares at me. She and I have been best friends since I moved to Liberty a few years ago and working at her salon. She's been my biggest supporter when it comes to me opening my own salon. The one that will never be. "I think we'll wait to hear the details tomorrow," she eventually says.

I grin and she winks.

Gathering my things, I give hugs and say my goodbyes to everyone before making my way to my car.

Time to get my life on track.

Starting with dessert.