“Everything okay?” she asked, shutting the door to give them some privacy. Or as much dubious privacy as one could get in a hair salon.

“You seeing Lenny, Lily?”

She blinked. “Um, I’m pretty sure I’m seeing you.”

He didn’t crack a smile. “I don’t care if you’re seeing other people, I’d just like to know where we stand.”

“You don’t care?” she repeated, doing her best to hide her shock and failing utterly.

He made a dismissive gesture, like this wasn’t the important part. “Did you tell him about the resort possibly having to lay off employees?”

She felt the shock reverberate through her.

“Did you tell him about my dad?” he asked.

She found her voice. “You really think I would?”

“Why do you keep answering my questions with a question?” he asked.

The hurt welled up so fast she couldn’t breathe. “Okay,” she said, moving back to the door. “We’re done here.” She yanked open the door and gave him her best PMS bitch look.

He blew out a breath. “Listen, I had to ask.”

“You had to—” She broke off. “Whatever you told me in confidence stayed in my confidence. Hell, everything you’ve told me stayed in my confidence. I keep my word, Aidan. And I thought you knew that about me.” Far too close to tears, she made to leave, but he caught her with one hand and held the door closed with the other.

“Don’t,” she said, trying to pull free, but he held her in an inexorable grip of steel.

“I’m sorry,” he said, effortlessly holding her, bending at the knees a little to look into her eyes. “I just needed to know.”

“Fine,” she grated out, furious with herself for the small part of her that was enjoying being held so tight against him. “Now you know. We both know. We know I’m an idiot for believing you when you said that this thing between us was more than it is. I should have known better. It’s never more than I think it is, and in fact, it’s usually far less. Dammit, let me go!”

“Lily—”

“I’ve got work,” she said, and tore free. She rushed out and into the front room, ignoring Jonathan’s worried look, calling her next client to the wash station.

Aidan followed. “Lily—”

“Working,” she said.

“I need to talk to you.”

Yes, but she did not need to talk to him. She’d been an idiot, she’d get over it. It’s not like she’d just lost a family member tragically. “Busy,” she said, settling her client into the wash chair.

Tessa was a teacher in her late twenties. She was goggle-eyed at Aidan in his uniform.

Not Lily. She just wanted to kick him. Especially when he came to stand on the other side of Tessa, looking straight across her at Lily herself.