Page 149 of When Love Takes Root

I tried not to smile.

Failed.

“Well?” she asked.

I held out the signed form. “You’re cleared.”

Her hand flew to her chest. “Everything?”

“Everything we repaired. The back row can run safely. I still recommend the surge protection upgrade we discussed, but the dangerous work is handled.”

She stared at the paper, eyes feeling everything the shutdown had cost her.

I stepped closer. “Breathe, Red.”

The nickname slipped out low. Private. Meant for her only.

Her eyes lifted to mine. Relief softened her face. She whispered, “Thank you.”

I took her free hand and kissed her knuckles, keeping it brief enough for public and real enough for her to feel.

“You’re welcome.”

A stylist near station two made a sound and pretended to drop a comb.

Starr looked over her shoulder with no shame at all. “Don’t act like we ain’t see that, Celeste.”

Celeste’s face went hot. “Starr.”

“What? I’m happy the electricity is fixed, and your electrician got manners.”

Juice called from the back. “And benefits.”

I warned him with one look. “Justice.”

He appeared from behind the dryer station with a grin. “What? I’m promoting company culture.”

Celeste laughed, and the shop seemed to rise with it. Women under capes smiled into mirrors. Starr shook her head. Somebody started clapping softly, and then the rest of the front joined in until Celeste pressed the inspection paper to her chest and looked around the salon like she needed a moment to accept that the lights were on and the danger was gone.

I stepped back because the moment belonged to her.

She looked at me as if she noticed that too.

A man carrying a bakery bag walked through the door. He had Celeste’s eyes and the same habit of taking in a room without announcing he’d measured it.

Celeste’s face lit in a way I hadn’t seen yet.

“Camden.”

There it was.

Family.

Camden Black crossed the salon with a grin and pulled her into his arms. “There go my baby sister.”

She hugged him tight with the inspection paper still in one hand. “You came by?”

“I said I was.”