Page 29 of The Sasquatch and the Hairdresser

There’s something between me and Hal, a connection I can’t describe. It’s too soon to say if it’s anything that could become love, but I think it might be more than friendship. My libido has never been real strong, but it’s been totally MIA since everything went down with Damien. I can tell Hal’s interested in me, but I haven’t gotten “fuck me” vibes from him, which is a fucking relief. He’s not the kind of guy who’d pressure or force anyone into something they don’t want, and that’s probably why I’m so comfortable with him. He’s… kinda great. But my heart’s still raw from being burned to hell and back.

Ugh. It’s like I’m some angsty teenager again, trying to figure out all the weird emotions messing around inside. All I know is that when Hal carried me to bed after I fell asleep on the couch last night, being in his arms felt like where I was meant to be. Yeah, I know, super fucking cheesy, but I own it. I haven’t been able to think about much else all morning. That means something, right?

—Skylar Wright’s Personal Journal

Skylar

“You’re looking well,” Dr. P says as soon as she sees me on screen. She arches an eyebrow. “Dare I say, even rather happy?”

I grin. “Yeah. It finally feels like I have control over my life again, and I’m moving in the right direction.”

I give her a quick update on how things are going with the salon and how I’m going to be helping out with the Harvest Festival. When I finish, Dr. P studies me quietly for a long moment, then smiles.

“Tell me more about Hal. You’ve mentioned him a lot. I’m sensing there might be a connection there.”

“Dammit, Doc. You’re way too fucking observant.” I grumble. “You beat me to the punch.”

“Comes with the profession, I’m afraid,” she says. “Now dish the deets, as you young folks like to say.”

I run a hand through my hair and pop a Craving Crusher, courtesy of Hal, to curb my sudden nicotine craving.

“It’s fucking complicated.”

“These things usually are,” she replies with amusement.

That makes me sigh. “Hal’s real fucking cool. He runs the B&B and is probably the sweetest, most caring guy I’ve ever met. We’ve become friends since I moved in, but lately I’ve kinda sensed there might be something more there. Or the potential for it, I guess.”

“Hmm. And how do you feel about that?”

I roll my eyes. “Way to bust out the generic shrink line on me, Doc.”

“It has its uses.”

I snicker. “Yeah, yeah.”

She waves her hand to get me to continue.

I sigh. “I like Hal. A lot. More than I’ve liked anyone since the early days when I first met Damien.” I frown. “But with Hal, it’s different. I don’t know how to describe it. It’s like—well, when me and Damien got together, I’ve realized I was more attracted to his promises of love and devotion than to him, right? But it’s not like that with Hal.”

Dr. P nods encouragingly. “What is it like then?”

I think about that, my mind replaying recent interactions between us. “Warm, special. I can talk to him and he listens. He’s genuinely interested in what I have to say, and I feel the same about him. When we’re not together at the house, I think about him a lot and look forward to when I’ll see him later. We have fun together, but I’m also, I dunno, at peace when I’m with him, not on edge. There’s no pressure of any kind.”

“It sounds like Hal is definitely a safe space in your life. But is that all he is?”

I’m startled by her words and really consider what she’s asking. Then I shake my head. “Hal’s so much more than that. He’s smart, and cute, and so fucking kind. Like, I just found out he basically has his own free Meals on Wheels service where he makes food for some of his elderly neighbors once a week.” I shake my head in awe. “He’s amazing and inspires me to be a better person and give back too. I’ve spent so long just trying to survive that I couldn’t see very far past my own troubles. But here, now, it’s like my vision has expanded. Part of it’s this town and the safety I’ve found here, as well as all the welcoming residents, but a lot of it is Hal.” I swallow thickly. “He’s special to me, so much that I’ve noticed I get a bit jealous when Hal’s giving others attention.”

Especially macho half-minotaur police chiefs.

Dr. P scribbles something on her notepad.

“Jealousy is a natural human emotion so long as you don’t let it control you or your behavior. What’s important to figure out is why you’re experiencing it.”

Much to my chagrin, I start tearing up all of a sudden. I know the answer. I’ve known since it happened, but I haven’t wanted to fully face it.

“It’s because I don’t want to share him with others. Fuck. I want to be his number one person and have him be mine.” I wipe a hand down my face. “But I’m scared shitless about getting into another romantic relationship.”

“Why? Like you’ve said, Hal isn’t anything like Damien.”