“Tech?”

“I design games.”

“Games?” she repeated, a delicate eyebrow arching.

“Computer games.”

“That must be fun.” Her eyes met his in the mirror. She was smiling and her smile did something funny to his chest.

“It’s creative,” he answered.

“You’re giving people something fun to do. Good for you. People need entertainment to help us unplug from the world, don’t you think?”

He found himself watching her as she took the big soft brush and went over his nape, brushing off stray hair. He hated being so cynical, but was she for real? “I do.”

“I’ve never played games, but I love to read, and go to the movies. Feel-good movies. I avoid the depressing ones.”

He wished he’d been prepared for her, and not just how pretty she was with her high cheekbones and gleaming blonde hair pulled back in a high teased ponytail, but her kindness and good nature. She reminded him of spring rain—sweet and refreshing—which wasn’t at all his impression of her before he came.

“How is the length?” she asked, turning the chair and handing him a mirror so he could see the back of his head. “Any shorter?”

“It’s a little longer than I usually wear it,” Tyler said. “But I like it. Looks good.”

“I think so, too. It gives you a ’70s rock star vibe.”

He felt a strange rumble of laughter in his chest, strange because he didn’t really laugh much, not anymore. His world had become so weighty and serious. “I’m far from that.”

“I don’t know.” A dimple appeared at the corner of her full lips. “If you’re a game designer, you can be anyone you want to be.” She unsnapped the black plastic cape, removing it from around his shoulders. “How long are you in town?”

“Through the weekend.”

“Well, I hope you enjoy your stay. Marietta is a great little town. Everyone that comes here, falls in love—”

“Don’t say that.”

“With the town,” she finished, laughing again. “But what’s wrong with falling in love?”

“Nothing. But I’m not looking for love. Or a new place to live. I like Austin.”

“A Texas boy.”

California, he wanted to correct her, as he’d only relocated to Austin two years ago, but there was no point in telling her any of that. They weren’t friends, and furthermore, once she knew who he really was, they’d never be friends. The warmth inside of him cooled, and his faint smile faded. Standing, he reached for his wallet. “How much do I owe you?”

“Thirty-five. And you can pay Emily. She’s at the desk in reception.”

“You did a good job.”

“Then leave a review,” she teased, reaching for the broom and dustpan tucked in the corner next to her station. “And enjoy Marietta. It’s a great place to be.”

“I’ll try,” he answered.

“Not good enough,” she called after him.

He turned in the doorway to look back at her, all golden blonde and astonishingly pretty in the winter sunlight, and yet she was smiling at him in a way that made his chest ache.

She made him feel young and hopeful, just as he’d felt as a boy when he’d see a cute girl.