Free Harmony Cabins by Regina Hart

picking up his ex-wife after her salon appointments. “He’s here for a damn haircut. And that beard has got to go. Jack, who told you that that was a good look for you?”
    The thin young stylist whose station was behind Novella’s giggled. Jack didn’t recognize her but the male stylist was Glenn Narcus.
    â€œNovella.” Belinda shot her employee a quelling look.
    Jack fingered his beard. He preferred Novella’s candor to Belinda’s protectiveness. But why would Novella think his beard was a fashion statement?
    â€œI wasn’t going for a look.”
    Novella made a disapproving face before adding more creamy white stuff to Nessa Linden’s hair. Nessa had been a Trinity Falls Town Council member for years.
    â€œWhat made you start to care again, Jack?”
    The sugary sweetness of Nessa’s question set Jack’s nerves on edge.
    â€œNot sure I do.”
    The bell above the front door chimed a welcome interruption. Jack turned as Darius entered the salon.
    The newspaper reporter grinned at him. “Thought I recognized your truck in the parking lot. Come to get your nails done?”
    Irritation knitted Jack’s brows. “Is that why you’re here?”
    â€œI’m here for the view.” Darius shared his cover model smile with the room. “Evening, ladies and Glenn.”
    A chorus of replies and giggles poured past Jack. Why am I here? Jack started toward the exit.
    Darius caught his arm. “No manicure? My mistake.” He folded himself onto a bright orange plastic chair in the waiting area and drew Jack down beside him. There was laughter in his dark eyes.
    Jack scowled as he sat. “There’s a reason you’re still single.”
    â€œHey, Darius.”
    Darius leaned forward to see into the styling area. “Well, hey, yourself, Michelle. How could I have missed you sitting over there?”
    The young woman with the rainbow hair giggled with pleasure. “Ms. Belinda’s going to make my hair all one color.”
    â€œI bet you’ll look just as pretty then, too.” Darius winked. “Evening, Ms. Novella.”
    Novella waved her thin comb at him. “Save your attentions for the empty-headed young girls who want them.”
    â€œAll I did was say hello, Ms. Novella. Any hidden meanings are purely a figment of your vivid imagination.” Darius settled back on his chair.
    Novella blushed as the salon filled with laughter.
    Jack chuckled. “Still have all the town’s single women fighting over you?”
    â€œIf that’s your intel, you need to check your sources.”
    â€œWhat are you two talking about over there?” Novella yelled to be heard over the dryers.
    Darius raised his voice in return. “Ms. Novella, you know it’s not polite to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations.”
    The older woman gasped. “I’m not eavesdropping! I just want to make sure you talk some sense into Jack. That man is not leaving here looking like that. It could ruin the salon’s reputation.”
    Darius’ silent chuckles shook his shoulders. “Jack can make his own decisions, ma’am. And Belinda doesn’t seem concerned.”
    Jack lowered his voice. “Novella Dishy is just as mean as she’s ever been.”
    â€œWhat are you saying, Jack?” Novella shouted.
    Jack closed his eyes briefly. “Just catching up with Darius, ma’am.”
    Darius watched him intently. “Man, I wish I could say you looked good, but . . .”
    Not him, too. Jack scowled. “Don’t lose sleep over it.”
    â€œThe only reason it bothers me is that I know it would bother Zoey.”
    Jack gave Darius a sharp look. “What the hell are you talking about?”
    â€œDon’t you know how scared she was to leave you alone? With her and Kerry gone—”
    â€œDon’t bring Kerry into this.”
    â€œThis isn’t about her.”