Lori shrugged and secured a cape around Maggie’s neck. “The salon’s busy, Rebecca. We don’t have a lot of slots for walk-ins.”
“Kate Andrews told me she had to cancel.”
“She did, which is why I’m working on Maggie.”
Rebecca was irritated. Her glossy lips pursed tight and her foot tapped rapidly on the tile floor. “And how long will that take?”
“Long enough. If you’re desperate for a trim, sit in my chair, and Sandra will be more than happy to snip away.”
“But Sandra isn’t my person. You are.” The whine was nasal, and Lori grimaced.
“I suggest you make an appointment then. I have one or two openings the week after next.”
Rebecca stopped tapping her toes and gripped the edge of her purse so tightly, her knuckles were white. “You can’t fit me in for a trim.” Disbelief colored her words in a throaty layer, and Maggie shifted in the chair, uncomfortable with the other woman’s behavior and the interest they were creating.
Lori swore under her breath. “No, Rebecca, I can’t.”
“Fine, but if you have a cancellation before then, I want it.” Rebecca turned and then paused, her voice loud as she glanced over her shoulder. “I need you to stay later tomorrow, Maggie. The grout in the bathrooms is horrendous, especially around the toilets, and they’ll need to be scrubbed by hand—all four of them.”
Irritation flared inside her. Maggie looked at Rebecca through the mirror and shook her head. “I don’t visit until Wednesday afternoon, Rebecca.”
“Whatever.” Rebecca waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Just make sure you do them when you come. They’re a disgrace.”
Rebecca left the salon in a cloud of perfume and attitude. Maggie watched her go, amazed at how much of a cliché the woman was. Blond, skinny and…
“She’s always been a bitch. Don’t let her bother you.”
Maggie glanced at Lori in surprise.
Lori grabbed pieces of foil and pinned a large chunk of Maggie’s hair on top of her head. “Seriously. That one was born high on herself, and she’ll never change.”
The heat that sat in Maggie’s cheeks spread. She didn’t want this. She couldn’t afford this. Like a mind reader, Lori patted Maggie on the shoulder and leaned in close once more.
“Don’t worry about the cost. I’ll only charge you for the cut. Besides, it’s all you booked for.” She shrugged. “Not your problem I feel like playing around with your head.”
“Why are you doing this?” Maggie was curious. It wasn’t like they were great friends. They were acquaintances, had been on a few school trips together with their children.
Lori’s face softened, and she spread some of the mixture along a piece of hair before securing it inside the foil. “Most people would be shocked to know this, but I’m a fairy-tale kinda girl.” She grabbed another piece and began applying the mixture. “You just seem like someone who could use a Prince Charming in her life. And if he happens to be a rocker with to-die-for abs and a killer smile, well, that’s all the better, don’t you think?” Lori pinned that piece up and grabbed for another. “Oh, and before I for
get.” Lori made a face and looked at Maggie’s toes in horror. “We’re going to redo the color. Pink passion is for old ladies. Just sayin’.”
Approximately two and a half hours later, Maggie left A Cut Above humming a tune, her steps light. Her hair was layered and highlighted with funky chunks of peekaboo color that shimmered as the wind picked up and lifted the tresses into the air. Her toes were no longer pink, but sported a vibrant navy color—one that she totally loved and kept admiring as she slowly made her way toward the bus stop.
Maggie shouldn’t have been surprised when she nearly mowed over someone—or rather not someone, but Jake Edwards. He’d just exited the bank, and she sidestepped at the last second, barely missing him.
She turned back. “Oh, Jake, I’m sorry. I…” She stopped talking. His eyebrows were furled, all scrunched up as if he was deep in thought. He nailed her with a look that was not happy. In fact, that was an understatement. Jake Edwards looked pissed off and angry as hell.
“Do you have a minute?” His voice was as sharp as his features. His mouth was tight, and she shifted beneath his steady gaze. For whatever reason, Jake Edwards made Maggie nervous. He was like an elastic band strung way too tight, and she had a feeling he was going to snap. Soon.
She glanced at her watch. “Uh, it’s late, and Michael’s home alone. I really need to get his supper on.”
Jake strode toward her and grabbed her elbow. “Good. I’ll give you a lift. We can talk on the way.”
Okay, he was kinda scaring her now.
Maggie yanked her arm from his. Granted, the man had been through an unbelievable trauma, but that sure as hell didn’t give him the right to manhandle her or order her around.
“I can get home on my own, thanks,” she answered stiffly.