picking up his ex-wife after her salon appointments. âHeâs here for a damn haircut. And that beard has got to go. Jack, who told you that that was a good look for you?â
The thin young stylist whose station was behind Novellaâs giggled. Jack didnât recognize her but the male stylist was Glenn Narcus.
âNovella.â Belinda shot her employee a quelling look.
Jack fingered his beard. He preferred Novellaâs candor to Belindaâs protectiveness. But why would Novella think his beard was a fashion statement?
âI wasnât going for a look.â
Novella made a disapproving face before adding more creamy white stuff to Nessa Lindenâs hair. Nessa had been a Trinity Falls Town Council member for years.
âWhat made you start to care again, Jack?â
The sugary sweetness of Nessaâs question set Jackâs nerves on edge.
âNot sure I do.â
The bell above the front door chimed a welcome interruption. Jack turned as Darius entered the salon.
The newspaper reporter grinned at him. âThought I recognized your truck in the parking lot. Come to get your nails done?â
Irritation knitted Jackâs brows. âIs that why youâre here?â
âIâm here for the view.â Darius shared his cover model smile with the room. âEvening, ladies and Glenn.â
A chorus of replies and giggles poured past Jack. Why am I here? Jack started toward the exit.
Darius caught his arm. âNo manicure? My mistake.â 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. âThereâs a reason youâre still single.â
âHey, Darius.â
Darius leaned forward to see into the styling area. âWell, hey, yourself, Michelle. How could I have missed you sitting over there?â
The young woman with the rainbow hair giggled with pleasure. âMs. Belindaâs going to make my hair all one color.â
âI bet youâll look just as pretty then, too.â Darius winked. âEvening, Ms. Novella.â
Novella waved her thin comb at him. âSave your attentions for the empty-headed young girls who want them.â
âAll I did was say hello, Ms. Novella. Any hidden meanings are purely a figment of your vivid imagination.â Darius settled back on his chair.
Novella blushed as the salon filled with laughter.
Jack chuckled. âStill have all the townâs single women fighting over you?â
âIf thatâs your intel, you need to check your sources.â
âWhat are you two talking about over there?â Novella yelled to be heard over the dryers.
Darius raised his voice in return. âMs. Novella, you know itâs not polite to eavesdrop on other peopleâs conversations.â
The older woman gasped. âIâm 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 salonâs reputation.â
Dariusâ silent chuckles shook his shoulders. âJack can make his own decisions, maâam. And Belinda doesnât seem concerned.â
Jack lowered his voice. âNovella Dishy is just as mean as sheâs ever been.â
âWhat are you saying, Jack?â Novella shouted.
Jack closed his eyes briefly. âJust catching up with Darius, maâam.â
Darius watched him intently. âMan, I wish I could say you looked good, but . . .â
Not him, too. Jack scowled. âDonât lose sleep over it.â
âThe only reason it bothers me is that I know it would bother Zoey.â
Jack gave Darius a sharp look. âWhat the hell are you talking about?â
âDonât you know how scared she was to leave you alone? With her and Kerry goneââ
âDonât bring Kerry into this.â
âThis isnât about her.â