Page 98 of The Sasquatch and the Hairdresser

Hal calls me his penguin. Big, adorable man. But I’ve finally started to believe that he’s right, and that I deserve to be with him. Whatever force brought us together, destiny or bizarre coincidence, I’m so fucking grateful. Hal makes me a better person, one who has hope again and trusts in others. I’ll never be quite as trusting as he is, but that’s okay. I don’t think anyone can be. My sweet sasquatch needs someone like me to look out for him and make sure his generosity isn’t taken advantage of. And believe you me, I’ll cut a bitch if they mess with him and his far too kind heart.

It took me a while to figure out how I could be a partner who makes Hal’s life even better than it already is. But I know now that what he needs is pretty damn simple. He needs a partner who prioritizes him, takes care of him, and gives him the same kind of unconditional love he so freely gives those around him.

And you know what? I can totally fucking do that—and I plan to for the rest of my life.

—Skylar Wright’s Personal Journal

Harvest Festival Opening Day…

Skylar

Hal loves me too.

That’s the first conscious thought I have when I wake up. In fact, it’s all I’ve been able to think about for the last few days. Completing the finishing touches in my salon has kept me busy, but in truth, I’ve been riding the high of being in love—and for what I now realize is the first time. This morning, my head should be filled with my mental checklist for the grand opening of the salon. I should be freaking the fuck out. But somehow, all I can think about is Hal and how much I love him.

Confessing my feelings to him was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, but after all the hard work I’ve done with Dr. P over the past year, I found the courage to tell him the truth.

And it totally paid off.

We’ve been in our own little lovey-dovey bubble the last few days.

Like a weirdo, I smile the whole time I take a shower, even going so far as to whistle while I wash up. Then I bound down the stairs just in time for Hal to start plating our breakfast. As usual, the kitchen is cozy and relaxing, and full of the mouth-watering smells of whatever he’s cooked up for us.

Hal sets down plates loaded with scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, and toast. Then he passes me a huge, steaming cup of coffee before joining me at the breakfast nook table.

“Good morning, Skylar. Did you sleep well?” he asks, a bashful look on his face that I fucking adore.

I reach a hand up and cup the back of my neck, suddenly awkward as fuck when my one-track mind replays our make-out sessions from the last couple of nights on a loop in my head.

“Uh, yeah. How about you?”

“Me too.”

I take a sip of coffee and moan with pleasure. “Bless you, my sweet angel. I’m not quite conscious until I have my first hit of caffeine.”

Hal chuckles. “I know the feeling. My day doesn’t start getting going until I have my first cup of coffee.”

There’s an awkward pause before Hal twiddles his thumbs and blushes.

“Would it be weird for me to tell you again this morning?”

Too fucking cute. He’s been doing this every morning since I gave him the best damn haircut of his life.

I try not to choke on my coffee and act confused. “Tell me what?”

“That I love you. So very much.” His eyes shine almost as brightly as his accompanying smile.

For a second, it’s like I’ve been KO’d in the heart with love and I can’t breathe. It’s kinda like that time in elementary school when I fell off a swing and had the air knocked right out of me. Only this time, it feels a whole lot better not being able to breathe.

Only Hal can make my lungs forget how to work.

I force myself to inhale. “You can tell me as often as you want.” I rub a hand through my still damp hair. “Because I love you too, you big goofball.”

The pleased smile on Hal’s face fills me with a rush of warmth and my whole body feels light, like I could float right outta here.

Elvira suddenly comes scampering around the corner, tongues lolling out of all three of her heads, and parks her rump right at Hal’s feet, gazing up at him hopefully.

I snort with laughter. “Ha! She’s already figured out which one of us is the softie in this relationship.”