The Beauty Within by Savannah J. Frierson Read Free Book Online Page A

size if Tyler had anything to say about it.

34
    Savannah J. Frierson
    But she didn’t, and she would do well to remember that. Besides, what was
    she thinking? As if someone like him could genuinely be interested in someone
    like her. They didn’t fit, and not necessarily because of the race thing. She
    looked like she and the couch were best friends while he owned a gym for
    goodness sake! What did they really have in common? What could they really
    talk about? She fascinated him, and he definitely fascinated her, but that was
    it.
    It had to be.
    She turned to face him and smiled, trying to ignore how close he actually
    was. “If you come back for a haircut, there may be a future apology. You are a
    man, after all, which means you’re bound to say something stupid!”
    The skin around his eyes crinkled in amusement and he shook his head.
    “You sound just like Inge.”
    “Your sister.”
    “You remember. That’s good. Many women I date don’t remember half the
    things I say. End up repeating myself. I don’t like mimicking a broken record!”
    “We’re not dating,” Tyler said, trying to keep her tone light despite how
    crestfallen she felt inside.
    “True, but even if we were, I doubt you’d be the type to forget. You pay
    attention to detail.”
    “You’ve got me figured out in three meetings?”
    “Hell no! I’m learning, though. Only someone who is very attentive could
    give such flattering cuts. It would be easy to give a standard boring style, but
    you actually make sure it works with the client’s unique features.”
    She raised an eyebrow at him. “You metrosexual? That’s the only thing I
    can say because you don’t seem gay at all.” And if he were, she’d go home, curl
    into a ball, and weep!
    He laughed, and she was glad he took the question in stride. “No. You live
    in LA and you learn things.”
    “Did you go to school out there?”
    “USC.”
    Tyler’s eyes widened. “Football! Though I understand that. North Carolina
    isn’t known for the gridiron; though why didn’t you go to Florida or Auburn or
    even Clemson if you wanted to stay ACC? Why all the way out there?”
    He chuckled. “A football fan.”
    Tyler blushed and shrugged. “From the crib. I used to sit on daddy’s knee
    and cheer, though it wasn’t until I was ten I actually figured out what exactly
    was going on!”
    Gunnar laughed and slid his hands in his pockets. Though his stance was
    relaxed, he radiated power to Tyler. “Why did you assume I played football?”
    She blushed harder. “Well…you don’t have basketball player’s body.
    Though you’re tall, you’re not that tall, and it just seemed like the right build.
    Or you could play baseball, but I don’t follow baseball that much.”

    The Beauty Within

35
    “It’s football,” Gunnar admitted, though his voice had gotten quiet. “Cor-
    nerback.”
    Before she could stop herself, Tyler touched his bicep in an attempt to give
    him comfort. He obviously didn’t play anymore or else he wouldn’t have
    opened a gym. He had to have been good if he went to USC to play football,
    and whatever had made him stop must have been painful.
    “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice as quiet as his.
    Gunnar’s hand came up to hers, pulling it off his arm. He didn’t let go im-
    mediately, however, instead squeezing it as if needing more of whatever she’d
    tried to offer. “Not your fault.”
    Tyler squeezed his hand again. His practically swallowed hers and she
    tried to dismiss how safe she felt right then.
    “I should go,” Gunnar said, the reluctance in his voice matching how slow-
    ly he allowed her hand to drop from his.
    “Okay.”
    She remained standing by her cart as he went to his jacket and slipped it
    on. He gave her a tiny smile. “See you next time, Tyler.”
    “You, too, Gunnar.”
    With a final nod, Gunnar left the shop. How she wished it were next
    Wednesday.

    Four

    “I know I’ve said this before, but I think it bears