Page 25 of The Sasquatch and the Hairdresser

I definitely need to send out an SOS to Dr. P tomorrow. I don’t have a fucking clue what to do with how I’m feeling about Hal. All I know is that I can’t ignore it or pretend it doesn’t exist anymore.

Thankfully, Hal dives into a history of the Harvest Festival, and I relax once again. The sound of his warm, rich voice is soothing, and before I know it, I’m nodding off. Hal’s presence is like a comfort blanket, albeit a big, hairy, adorable one—and I kinda want him to wrap all of him around me.

Ordinarily, I don’t like falling asleep in front of others. It’s a vulnerable state that I don’t trust people not to take advantage of. Too many bad experiences in shelters after I ran away from home as a teenager have made me a light sleeper. But for the first time in more years than I can remember, I’m sinking into a deep sleep on a couch, Hal right beside me.

I don’t know how much time passes before it suddenly feels like I’m floating, and I rouse enough to find myself in Hal’s big, gentle arms as he carries me upstairs to my bedroom. I know I should protest, but being cradled by him is so fucking wonderful that I can’t make myself say anything.

When he lays me down on my bed, my heart lurches while he takes the time to remove my shoes and tuck me under the blankets.

“Sorry,” I mumble, fighting to keep my eyes open.

“Think nothing of it. Sweet dreams, Skylar,” he murmurs, then turns out the light, closing the door quietly behind him when he leaves.

Even in my exhausted stupor and with sleep pulling me under once more, I’m forced to admit to myself that Hal just might be starting to claim my heart, piece by broken piece.

CHAPTER SIX

Cryptids United in Delightful Dating and Love Encouragement (CUDDLE) Forum

SuperShySasquatch: Is taking it slow a bad idea? I don’t want anyone else to swoop in and woo the person I’m interested in, but I don’t like to rush or force anything, for him or me. Just consider me the quintessential slow-burn romance MC in the flesh.

IPutTheBrahInChupacabra: Isn’t there an expression, “slow and steady wins the race”? If it’s meant to be, going at your own pace should be just fine. Rushing things can also backfire. I speak from sad personal experience on that one. Besides, if this guy is genuinely interested in you, then he won’t be swayed by someone else unless you back off entirely.

SuperShySasquatch: Thanks, I think I needed to hear that.

YetiOrNotHereICome: Sounds like you might be more on the demisexual side of the spectrum, and if that’s true, then taking it at your own pace and developing the emotional connection is crucial. Without that, even if you did try to rush your romance, it probably wouldn’t work out.

LoungeSingerLizardMan: I like this slow and steady plan. Just remember, slow doesn’t mean you have to act disinterested. You don’t want to confuse him and make him think he’s being friend-zoned! I recommend embracing the spirit of old-fashioned romantic courtship. It’s a lost art, if you ask me. Everyone’s rushing to jump into bed without any anticipatory buildup. Woo him with your words and actions. Win over his heart and make him yearn for you. Just like in a classic love song.

SuperShySasquatch: Or a historical romance novel!

NessieNeedsLoveToo: Ahem. So, I must admit I’ve sometimes been guilty of the jumping-into-bed-too-soon behavior. But I’m older and wiser now. That’s not to say I don’t have sexual needs. I have A LOT of them. However, I’ve recently started to want the kind of love you’re all talking about.

MerMagicMan: Having a strong emotional connection makes the sex so much better when it finally happens. At least, that’s my experience. I agree with @LoungeSingerLizardMan. Few take the time to court each other anymore. I miss that era. Writing love letters or secret notes, serenading someone, using the language of flowers to convey feelings—ah, those were the days.

SuperShySasquatch: All right, friends. Give me all your best old-fashioned courtship ideas! I’m ready to start my slow but steady campaign to win this man’s heart.

Hal

There’s no denying it. I’m falling for Skylar—hard.

When I carried him to his room last night, holding him in my arms was intoxicating. It was physically painful to let him go when I put him to bed. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to lie down beside Skylar and cuddle him all night long.

Needless to say, by the time I got back to my own bedroom, I couldn’t sleep. Instead, I stayed up late on my advice forum, asking for tips on how to court Skylar. I don’t want to fall into a kind of passivity with no momentum yet again. In the meantime, I need a way to express all that I’m feeling right now. My heart is so full when it comes to Skylar.

With a burst of determination, I get up early after a restless night’s sleep and go to my desk, where I pull out some of my best stationery and my favorite fountain pen. I’ve always dreamed of writing love letters and poems to someone, so I’m prepared. Right now, I want to convey all these feelings I have in a special way. It takes me a solid hour, but I’m able to write a letter to Skylar that pours my heart out. I’m not sure when I’ll give it to him. I need to build up my courage to give it to him when the time seems right.

The sun is just beginning to rise when I quietly make my way downstairs, not wanting to rouse a sleeping Skylar. The poor guy needs his rest. He’s been working so hard every day to get his business up and running. I truly admire his fortitude and unwavering dedication. He’s basically starting from scratch and building the whole salon from the ground up. It’s awe-inspiring.

Even when I took over running the B&B, I didn’t have a lot to do to get things started. It was more or less a seamless handover. Sure, I gradually made changes in the decor of the house and lent my own personal touches by crocheting afghans and throws, embroidering the curtains, and so forth. But what Skylar is doing is a far more monumental undertaking.

Both Astraea and I have offered to help him numerous times, but he’s been resolute in wanting to do it on his own, and I can respect that. It’ll be his salon, after all, and I get the sense that he needs to do this to prove something to himself. So instead, I’ve been offering whatever silent support I can, mainly by keeping him well fed so he has the energy and strength to work the long hours he’s putting in.

I move around the kitchen, reveling in the rays of sunlight as they start to come through the windows. This is definitely my favorite room. I consider it the heart of my home. I’m not sure if this is the same for others, but having never had a traditional house, let alone a kitchen, I know it’s true for me.

Sasquatches usually prefer to live off the land in every way—roughing it in nature is the norm. Campfire cooking is the norm. When I was young, our family sometimes used temporary makeshift shelters or took up brief residence in caves when the weather was especially bad, but otherwise we slept out under the stars. The thick pelt of hair that covers most of our bodies keeps us very warm, but to me, that way of living never felt quite right.

Personally, I love having my own cozy home and being able to share it with others. There’s safety and belonging here.