Page 41 of The Sasquatch and the Hairdresser

It’s like coming home. Like warm sunshine after the long, cold winter.

Just like heaven.

Thank you, Robert Smith, for your seriously insightful love songs.

“Sometimes I want to hug you and never let go too,” I whisper.

“Me too,” he murmurs into my chest.

That’s all the encouragement I need.

With all the flair of one of the many romance heroes I’ve read about, I pick Skylar up and cradle him in my arms. Sweeping him off his feet—sasquatch style!

Ryder would be so proud.

I grin. “Let’s go inside and talk. We have a lot to talk about.”

CHAPTER NINE

Dear Journal (NOT a fucking diary!),

I never expected to catch feelings for anyone here in Mystic Hollow. Shit, I didn’t think it would ever happen at all. But who wouldn’t fall for Hal? It’s a miracle he’s single in the first place. The guy’s a real catch. Kind, sweet, caring, and so passionate about this town. Every day he’s living his best life. Nothing fancy or complicated, just volunteering in the community and running his B&B. And he’s so peaceful and satisfied in his world. I’m so fortunate that I get to be a part of it.

I’ve been through the messy and chaotic side of life, and I don’t want to return to any of that. Maybe I’m turning old before my time, but I just want to slow down and honor the fact that I’m fucking alive. I came way too close to death far too soon. Here in Mystic Hollow I’m learning to appreciate the little things. A daily routine, friends I can trust, a room of my own, good food, a warm bed to sleep in—and at the center of it all, I’ve realized, is Hal.

He’s like a shining beacon of belonging drawing me in. He’s ignited hope in me and made me start thinking about the future in ways I’ve avoided for a long time. All without even trying, that’s just how fucking amazing he is, Hal’s worked his way into my bruised and battered heart. So he needs to take some responsibility, dammit!

—Skylar Wright’s Personal Journal

Skylar

After sweeping me off my feet—in more ways than one—Hal just can’t help being… Hal. I don’t even try to hold back a big-ass grin when he decides to make us some hot chocolate for our little chat. It’s so… him, all the way.

He hums happily at the stove as he makes our drinks and then we carry them into the living room and sit together on the couch.

It took every ounce of courage in me to tell Hal how I feel. In all honesty, I couldn’t tell how it landed at first. He seemed dazed and confused, and I started wondering if I’d made a huge mistake.

But when we hugged, all the worry faded away. Damn if that hug wasn’t fucking perfect. I didn’t want to let go. None of my exes were ever much into holding each other like that. For them, it was always about getting to the main course, whereas I wanted to cuddle and kiss, and I’m beginning to understand that I would have been happy with only that.

With Hal, I think that might actually be possible, but I need to be honest with him about a lot of stuff from the get-go. He’s mentioned some difficult times being an outsider in his own family and among other sasquatches, but I’m pretty sure Hal hasn’t seen some of the darker shit that I have. And part of me wants to keep it that way.

So long as he stays here in Mystic Hollow, he’s sheltered and protected from harm. It’s also one of the reasons I want to stay here. I’ve seen enough bad shit to last me a lifetime. In Mystic Hollow, I can breathe without looking over my shoulder all the time.

I set my empty mug on the coffee table and steady my nerves. I need to tell Hal at least some of the truth about the last year and how I ended up in this town.

I swallow hard.

You can do this, Skylar.

I turn to him. “Can I tell you a bit more about what happened to me with Damien?”

“Only if you want to. If you’re not ready, that’s okay. But I’m always here to listen anytime you need to talk about anything.”

I smile sadly. “Fuck, man. I wish I could’ve met you sooner, Hal.”

“Me too,” he murmurs.

After a couple of deep breaths, I begin to talk.