Free Big Love by Saxon Bennett, Layce Gardner

you should come along for Nell’s moral support. Stop fussing and just do it. You know you’re not letting her go with us unless you can supervise. So, get that cute li’l butt of yours in gear and say you’ll go with us,” Miracle said.
    Carol’s mouth dropped open.
    “Close your mouth, sugar. You’re gonna catch flies that way,” Miracle said.
    At that moment, Nell came out of the changing room. She wore a pretty yellow sundress with tiny white flowers and strappy sandals.
    “You clean up nice, too,” Zing said. Miracle laughed, and Zing, realizing that maybe she shouldn’t have said that, covered her mouth.
    Nell smiled at her. “Thank you, Zing.”
    Carol grabbed Nell by the elbow and pulled her out the back door. “Let’s go get this over with,” she said without much conviction.
     
    ***
    Sammy’s Fabulous Salon was within walking distance of the bakery. Everything in the Wentworth district was within walking distance, which was the appeal. It was also why, despite the high rent, Nell and Carol had put the bakery in the center of it. Sammy’s Fabulous Salon was decorated in hot pink with zebra print accents, played a loop of famous diva songs, and was filled with every sort of woman. Sammy was dressed in a one-piece zebra-print Lycra suit and high heeled shoes that put Elton John, during his Crocodile Rock stage, to shame. The heels were made from clear acrylic and had tiny zebras inside.
    The door dinged as the four women walked inside. Sammy was finishing back-combing a woman’s hair into a high beehive. He added a blast of hair spray to keep it all in place. When he saw Miracle, he clasped his hands to both cheeks and squealed with pleasure. “Honey, where have you been?” he asked. “It’s been ages!”
    He ran over to Miracle and grabbed her in a big hug, nosily planting smooches on both cheeks. Then he held her at arm’s length and tsk-tsked. “Girlfriend, you look like something the cat dragged in and puked up and then the dog ate,” he said.
    “I know, I know. I’m a big ol’ mess. Can you help me and my friends here?”
    He transferred his gaze to the other three women. Nell shook under his direct scrutiny.
    “Oh, baby, I know I’m absolutely fabulous, but you’re the first client to actually quiver in my presence.” Then he noticed her bald spot. “And my first client to have a half-shaved head and stitches.”
    Sammy walked a tight circle around Nell, looking at every inch of her head. He squinted one eye and tapped his chin with his index finger while muttering, “Oh my. Oh my.” He studied her from various angles, putting his fingers together as if framing her in a picture. Finally, he stopped, took a deep breath and proclaimed, “I think I can fix it.”
    Nell breathed a long sigh of relief. “Really?”
    Sammy smiled. “Yes indeedy, girlfriend. With that gorgeous face, I know exactly what I’m going to do.”
    Zing beamed and clapped her hands in joy. Nell’s hair could be fixed! She felt so much better.
    Sammy noticed Zing for the first time. “Oh, my lord, you have the most gorgeous ginger hair.” He touched her hair, rubbing a long lock between his fingers. “However, it could use a trim and a hot oil treatment.”
    Next, he looked at Carol and raised one eyebrow. “Definitely, a whole new look for you. This grim reaper thing you have going on is much too severe. You have cheek bones to die for, and you need a cut that accentuates them.”
    He turned to Miracle and studied her. “Oh, darling, are you still pining for Rita the Meter Maid?”
    “I’m over it, thanks to my new friend, Zing.” Miracle looped her arm through Zing’s. “She’s an angel.”
    “I’ll say she is,” Sammy said. “And what a cute name. Zing! I like it.” He ran his fingers through Miracle’s frizzy hair. “Your hair is sad, girlfriend. You definitely need the works. You showed up right on time, too.”
    “Does that mean you can squeeze us in?” Miracle asked.
    “Of