Lexi remains relatively quiet for the rest of the game. I try to tease her out of it, but this problem isn’t one I can easily fix for her. Not with money or a little attention.
What she wants, I definitely can’t–or am not willing–to give her.
* * *
Lexi
After the game, Bobby drops me off at the apartment without walking me up or coming in for sex.
I can’t decide if I’m disappointed or relieved.
It’s only been three weeks, and already this situation with Bobby is getting painful. My heart isn’t supposed to be involved at all. I wasn’t supposed to fall in love. This is a temporary situation. I’d hoped I might stay here a few months to save on rent money and pay down my medical bills. But it’s only been a few weeks, and I don’t know how much longer I can make it. Every day, I get more and more comfortable. Let him see the real me. Learn to trust him.
But Bobby Manghini isn’t available. He’s made it clear I’m not wife-and-kids material. No amount of wishing he would stare at a baby we made together with the same reverence he had at the baseball game would make it happen.
This relationship is purely transactional—he takes care of my financial needs, and I make myself available. Nothing more. Nothing less. The sooner I get back on my feet and can walk away, the better.
I take the elevator up to the apartment and put on a swimsuit. I might as well take advantage of all the luxuries while I’m here. I go up to the rooftop pool. Once again, no one is up there with me. I climb in the pool and float on my back, watching the sky turn pink and purple as the sun sets.
I’m falling in love with a made man. He’s wrong for me in so many ways, and yet, I just can’t seem to help myself.
ChapterFourteen
Lexi
The next week, I sit at a hotel conference table across from members of the interview panel.
“Have you ever taught anyone else how to cut or color hair?” the interview panelist asks me, tapping his pen against his teeth.
I expected this question and prepared a dance around it. “I consider myself a mentor to all the other stylists at the salon where I cut. They are always calling me over for a consult, and I’m the one who they trust to cut and color their own hair.”
One of the panelists smiles at me. “Who cuts and colors your hair?”
“I do,” I admit.
“You don’t trust anyone else?”
“Well, not really. Not to do it the way I want it.”
The woman smiles and jots something down, but I have a feeling I just scored a point.
“All right, Lexi, now we’re going to put your slides up on the big screen, and I’d like you to stand up and explain how you achieved each of these looks and why you chose this design for the client.”
I draw in a shaky breath and stand. The photo of Gina appears on the large screen at the front of the room. I walk over. “I chose this look for Gina because of her high cheekbones. I wanted something to highlight, rather than hide them. The jaw-length layers frame her face, and the bold color gives it a bit of spunk, which fits Gina’s personality.”
I turn to look at the panelists, who appear attentive, if not encouraging. “To achieve this look, I cut the baseline into a diagonal forward and tapered the nape with some graduation. Then I cut some textured, round layers in and over-directed the front to the back layers. For color, I colored the nape area darker and paneled some light and dark color pieces in the front to accentuate the diagonal forward haircut.”
I continue through the rest of the slides, gaining confidence as the panelists asked questions I can answer.
“Thank you, Lexi, that will be all for today. If you make it to the next round of interviews, we will ask you to pick one of these looks and teach a sample class to hair stylists. You should hear from us by the end of the week, either way.”
“Thank you.” I shake hands with each of the panelists before I exit.
When I reach the sidewalk outside, I pull out my phone. The number I call up first belongs to Bobby.
When did he and Gina trade importance in my life?
I shake my head. If I don’t watch out, I'll get in too deep with him. He said he'd do anything for me. It seems I share the sentiment. I'd do anything to please him. Things I never dreamed I would let a man do to me. Orwanta man to do to me.