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“How you holdin’ up?”
Nora forced a smile, appalled at how much more complicated the situation had become since they’d said goodnight. “We don’t have time to unpack that right now, Aunt Darlene.”
“Figured you’d say as much. Guess that means I can expect you at my table Sunday. Won’t have much of an excuse then.”
Nora’s expression softened as she offered her aunt a nod. Darlene was as close to a real mother as she’d ever had. While she wasn’t around much when Nora was younger, it was because she was still growing up herself; but when Nora needed her most, she and her Uncle Wayde were always there. She’d never taken their wisdom and experience for granted, and she wasn’t going to start now.
“We can do Sunday.”
“Well, al’right, then. I suggest you get on out of here. Evie-B and I’ve got to get goin’ ourselves. We’ve got jam to deliver today.”
After a kiss and a wave goodbye, Nora was back in her car, headed for the Town Square. The entire drive, her thoughts toggled between Creed and Lawson—but it wasn’t long before Lawson won the tug of war in her mind. When she’d parked across the street from the salon, she turned her car off but didn’t get out from behind the wheel. She was so distracted it wasn’t even funny. She might not have been a surgeon, but people trusted her with their hair, which was a big deal. She needed to get her head on straight, and fast.
Pulling out her phone, she did the smartest thing she could think of and opened the text thread she had with Mitzi.
Me: I know you’re probably drowning right now. Between your spring line, and construction at the store, Steele being down, and Christmas a few days away, your hands are full. But I’ve got one more thing to add to your stack. I swear I wouldn’tbe asking if it wasn’t important. I really need my best friend today.
Nora hit send, closed her eyes, blew out a sigh, and propped her head against the steering wheel. She wasn’t expecting a response straight away, but she needed another moment to pull herself together. When a text alert came through thirty seconds later, she was quick to sit up and check her phone. Relief spread through her like a cool breeze on a blazing hot day when she saw Mitzi’s name on her screen.
Mitzi Belle: I’d drop anything for you, you know that. When where what why how?
Me: I’ve got clients all morning, but I could do a late lunch. 1ish?
Mitzi Belle: I’ll pick you up. See you soon!
It was a few minutes after eight by the time Nora was walking through the front doors of Sweet Tease. As usual, Arizona was at her station waiting for her first client of the day with a magazine spread open on her lap. Though, it was Clementine who had Arizona’s attention.
Clem was the newest stylist at the salon. She’d been on the payroll for nearly four years, working part time for Barb doing administrative tasks. It took her a little while, but she saved up enough money to go to cosmetology school, and she’d been hired on full time as a stylist nearly six months ago. At twenty-six, she was the youngest in their bunch, which explained the brightness of her energy. Everybody loved Clem. It was hard not to.
She was cute as a button, with big, round, brown eyes, a heart-shaped face, and a head full of thick, gorgeous, dark brunette hair she styled in soft curls that fell at her shoulders. She had a dancer’s body, even though she wasn’t one—claiming she was far too clumsy—and her wardrobe consisted of dresses,mostly. Clem could pull off a dress with tennis shoes better than anyone Nora knew.
“Hey, gorgeous. You’re just in time,” greeted Arizona.
“In time for what?” she asked, making her way toward her station.
“Clem was fillin’ me in on why she’s convinced Dale’s finally gonna propose.”
Nora-Jean paused and raised her eyebrows at Clem. She and Dale had been going together for nearly eight years, and she’d been waiting on a ring for as long as Nora knew her. Desperate for any distraction, Nora insisted, “Do tell.”
They spoke on the topic until the salon got its first customer of the morning. It wasn’t long before everyone’s chairs were occupied. Nora was grateful for the three cut and colors she had on her schedule, each of which made her too busy to dwell on her problems. She barely had time to think of her growing hunger as the day wore on, and she was surprised when she saw Mitzi walk through the door.
She certainly didn’t look like a woman who was drowning in responsibilities. Then again, fashion was—quite literally—her business. Mitzi wore a pair of high-waisted, dark-washed jeans and a form-fitting, black sweater with capped sleeves. Her hair was pulled back into a neat, low pony with a couple wavy strands pulled loose around her face. As always, she was done up withjustthe right amount of makeup to suit the daytime, and her lips were painted in a pretty shade of red.
“Hey, bestie. Been waitin’ on this lunch date all day. You ready?”
Having just parted with her previous client, Nora glanced around her station—which needed a bit of tidying—and waved it off as something to see to later.
“Yes.” She grabbed her purse and waved to Arizona and Clementine as she called out, “I’ll be back in a bit.”
Mitzi had a spot right out front. As they closed themselves inside of her Ford Fusion, she asked, “Where to?”
“Someplace we won’t run into anyone we know,” said Nora on a sigh.
“Honey, did you forget where we are? That’s nowhere. At least, nowhere close.” Turning in her seat, she gave Nora her full attention as she inquired, “What’s goin’ on?”
Nora turned toward Mitzi, more than ready to unload. In spite of her hunger, lunch was honestly the last thing on her mind.
“Yesterday mornin’, I woke up and my life made sense. This mornin’, I can’t make sense of anything. I’m barely holdin’ it together.”
