Third Time's the Charm Read Online Free

following the moves on her yoga DVD didn’t make her feel
much better.
    It was Thursday, and predictably, Mrs. Peterson showed up at
ten in the morning at the salon. Liz shampooed and styled her client’s hair,
getting into the soothing routine. Mrs. Peterson even walked out with a smile
on her face. The door opened, and Liz looked over to see who the next client
was.
    Sloane stood inside the doorway, hesitating, and looking
around. His gaze caught hers, and he gave a faint smile. Josi, the lady at the
reception desk, greeted him. “Do you have an appointment?”
    Sloane glanced from Josi to Liz, then back to Josi. “Does
Liz have an opening today?”
    Liz froze. He was here for a haircut? Flashes of Garrett
entered her mind, and she felt her stomach twist. Garrett had been sweet and
mellow at first . . . She had cut his hair every four weeks, and then  . . .
Liz turned and walked into the back room, not wanting to hear what Josi told
him.
    Her throat was dry, and she couldn’t quite breathe normally. What’s wrong with me? He’s not asking me out, and so what if he does? I can
say no.
    “Liz!” Josi called, coming into the back room. “Someone
named Sloane wants to book you for your next appointment. I told him you don’t
have an opening for two hours, but he said he’d wait.” She wagged her
finely-tweezed black eyebrows.
    “Tell him you were mistaken, and I don’t have an opening
today.”
    “So you know this guy?” Her mouth drew into a smile.
“Someone you’re dating? He’s pretty cute.”
    “Please, Josi. Help me out. I’ll take on your Saturday shift
if you just do this for me.”
    Josi pursed her lips. “Is he a creep or something?”
    “No, not at all. I just . . .” She shook her head. “I’m
crazy and dumb, and I don’t know what I’m doing, so it’s better to keep away
from all males.”
    Josi laughed. “Okay, I totally get it. You have a crush on
him, but since you’ve sworn off dating—”
    Liz groaned. She’d been much too forthright with Josi about
her previous dating snafus.
    Josi disappeared through the door. Liz sank onto a chair
amid the hair coloring boxes and shampoos and conditioners. She let her head
drop into her hands. She needed to talk to Gemma. But first, she needed to
figure out a way to apologize to Sloane. She was a professional hairdresser and
shouldn’t let her weird hang-ups get in the way.
    The back door opened, and Liz looked up, expecting to see Josi.
    “Hey,” Sloane said, the door swinging shut behind him. He
shoved his hands in his pockets, looking a bit unsure of himself, which Liz
found absolutely adorable. “Just wanted to say I’m sorry for barging in and not
letting you know in advance.”
    Liz wanted to melt into the chair. Instead, she stood and
met his gaze. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t expect to see you . . . here. And
I just . . .” She took a deep breath. “This may sound weird, but Garrett used
to come in here to get his hair cut. That’s how we met.”
    Sloane lifted a brow. “Druggie-drummer?”
    “No, gamer.”
    “Ah, I get it,” Sloane said in a slow voice. “So if you cut
my hair, then maybe we’d start dating?”
    Liz’s face flamed. “I didn’t think that .” She was
mortified and couldn’t think of how to explain. Or maybe it was what
she’d thought.
    “Don’t feel bad,” Sloane said, taking a step forward. “I
really didn’t want to make you uncomfortable, but I have to be honest.”
    Liz snapped her eyes to his, her heart nearly pounding out
of her chest.
    “I did come here with the intention of asking you out. But I
thought maybe I’d see how it went first and how good of a haircut you gave me.”
    She stared at him, her mouth tugging into a smile. “So it
was dependent on the service?”
    “Which I know would be great.”
    Liz relaxed a bit. “And how can you know that, Mr. Branden?”
    “I can just tell.” He took a step forward.
    She held her breath. Her heart rate doubled. He was