Page 42 of The Ruse of Romancing
Mason
I found myself whistling as I parked my car and headed into Ed’s.
While my hair wasn’t quite ready for a cut, I wouldn’t mind a good shave and a chance to catch up on the latest with the Gossip Gang.
I had time to kill before I needed to pick up Dani, and I was too anxious to spend the day at home working.
Tonight, I was taking Dani to my grandparents’ house where I’d come clean and make everything right.
And while a part of me worried what the drive home would be like if she got angry and wouldn’t forgive me, I was hoping getting away from Cascade Harbor would give us both a clean slate to build new memories without lies between us.
The bell above the barbershop door chimed, revealing that, despite how much had changed in my life over the last week and a half, everything else in town seemed to have stayed the same.
“Oo, looks like someone got some action last night,” Clyde called from his perch next to the window as I walked into the shop.
He and the rest of the Gossip Gang watched me expectantly.
The trio of elderly men had somehow managed to dress in matching red shirts with jeans, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was by chance or if they got a kick out of being color coordinated.
Art smacked him with his newspaper. “More like someone is going to get some action tonight. Who’s the lucky gal?
I haven’t seen you lurking around town wooing the ladies as much as normal.
Find a new stomping ground?” Art waggled his bushy white eyebrows in a gesture that should never be made by a man his age.
“That’s none of your business,” I said, settling in to wait for Davie who was working with another client.
Charlie gave me a sheepish but hopeful look from where he sat in his barber chair, clearly waiting for some work.
“Never again, Charlie,” I said kindly but seriously, rubbing the back of my neck. “I don’t think I’ll ever recover from the last time.”
The Gossip Gang chortled at this pronouncement as Charlie blushed a deep shade of red.
“It was an accident,” he muttered, looking up at the ceiling and rocking back and forth in his chair.
“An accident that never should have happened,” Davie said as he walked past Charlie to ring up his customer before calling me over to his chair.
“What are we doing today? If I take any more hair off, you’ll be bald.
Or are you wanting to rock the hairless look?
It hasn’t done much good for Clyde over there. ”
Art and Marty found this hilarious, elbowing Clyde, who took the teasing in stride and laughed along.
“Just a shave,” I said as I rubbed a hand along my stubbled jaw. I’d been good at keeping it shaved the first couple of days after Charlie’s mistake, but I’d been so busy the last few days with Dani that I hadn’t given it much attention.
Davie got to work as I listened to the rambling chatter of the trio of old men. There’d been some kind of drama at bingo night involving Spencer and Maisie, the thrift store owner, that I’d have to ask him about the next time I saw him. I’d just started to tune out the chatter when I heard my name.
“You know that girl staying at Mason’s duplex? Apparently, she’s got herself a man, but no one knows him or has seen him.” I tensed at Marty’s casual comment, hoping Davie didn’t notice. “Do you know who it is, Mason?”
“Can’t say that I do,” I said, hoping they’d lose interest in the subject and move on.
“I’ve seen that girl around town. She’s a looker! Told my Benny he should take a crack at her, but you know Benny. If it requires him getting off my couch, he’s not moving,” Clyde said.
“How do you know she’s dating someone?” I asked trying to keep my voice casual as I attempted to ascertain their source of information.
If anyone happened to see me out with Dani, everything could come crashing down before I spoke to her tonight.
Maybe I should have talked to her last night, risked the explosion without all of my careful planning.
“You see her out and about or something?”
“Boy, you need to have Davie clean out your ears while he’s shaving your face.
Didn’t you hear Marty say no one’s seen who she’s dating?
Apparently, he’s also a tourist, or at least that’s what I heard Joane telling Spencer at the bookstore the other day.
Sounds like a recipe for disaster if you ask me.
Two tourists sparking up a romance.” I could hear Art’s disapproval from my spot, tipped back for Davie to work.
“Or it’s a recipe for a real good time,” Marty said, causing the other two to break into laughter and start telling stories about when they were younger and dating.
I relaxed. It sounded like my secret was safe after all.
But glancing up at Davie’s face, I caught a disappointed, knowing look that made me think I hadn’t been as careful as I’d thought.
While I knew Davie wouldn’t say anything, I left the barbershop feeling unsettled and determined.
I would tell Dani the truth tonight, no matter what.
She had the right to know, even if it meant she ended this fledgling romance between us.
As I walked to my car after my shave, I heard my name and turned to see Spencer running my way from the bookstore.
“I was going to call you, but I’m glad to catch you in person.
I just scheduled a major children’s author for a signing at Seabreeze Reads because her original venue fell through, and I’d like to get your designs printed and hung before she comes later this month.
What would you think about upping the timeline on those art prints? I’ll pay extra, of course.”
I smacked my forehead. I’d been so lost in design ideas for Dani’s covers that I’d almost forgotten about Spencer’s commission.
“I’ve been crazy busy with another project, but I’m hoping to work on this the next couple of days.
I’ll be staying out at my grandparents’ with minimal distractions.
” I hedged. I would be at my grandparents’, but the distractions would be anything but minimal, for better or worse depending on Dani’s reaction.
Spencer studied me over his glasses for a moment, his forehead creased in concentration.
“You seem different lately,” Spencer said, tapping a finger on his chin. “I can’t figure out why though.”
I ran my hand through my hair. “I mean, the haircut happened over a week ago but I’m still getting used to it.”
Spencer shook his head. “That’s not it. It’s almost like you got a big promotion, which doesn’t really work when you’re self-employed. Or like you got a girlf—” He broke off, staring at me, eyes wide.
“You’ve got a girlfriend, don’t you? I haven’t seen you around town with a different girl every day. In fact, I’ve hardly seen you around town at all.” His words came out in a rush, and he began pacing, waving his hands around as he talked. “The last time I saw you was in Portland with that—”
He stopped and turned to look at me, his face frozen in a look of horror so comical I’d likely be using it for inspiration in future projects.
“Please tell me it’s not...” Here he trailed off, seeming unsure how to finish his sentence.
Taking pity on him, I clapped a hand on his shoulder.
“No, I’m not dating Eustasia from Portland. We did not suit.” He didn’t need to know that we didn’t suit because we never actually met.
“Oh good.” His shoulders slumped in obvious relief. “So, who’s the girl then?”
I bit my lip, wanting to tell him but needing to come clean to Dani before sharing my feelings with anyone else.
“She’s not exactly my girlfriend, though I have been seeing someone and there’s interest there.
Let’s just say she’s a tourist, but there’s something different about this one,” I said, my voice full of hope as I thought about Dani’s heart, courage, kindness, and humor.
Things I would have never learned if I hadn’t let down my guard to get to know her as a friend, something that had quickly shifted into more almost without me noticing.
“Really? Mason Stuart breaking all the rules.” Spencer clapped a hand on my arm before turning to head back to his store. “I’m happy for you, man. Just don’t let that woman distract you too much. I need that commission soon. ”
Spencer disappeared into his store, and I walked to my car, praying that Spencer’s excitement wasn’t misplaced and that I really could make a relationship with a tourist—with Dani—work.