He lifted his eyes from his phone. “See ya.”
I left the office and walked deeper into the little downtown. Summer heat was beginning to settle over Tilikum. It was probably over eighty but a light breeze kept it comfortable as I headed toward the salon. One thing I did like about this town, and my office location, so much was within walking distance.
Timeless Beauty Salon was a couple of blocks away, and like Sandra had said, easy to find. A little bell tinkled when I opened the door and walked in.
“I’ll be right there,” called a voice from somewhere in the back.
The décor had a distinct old-fashioned vibe, like something out of a historical novel. The wispy curtains, a velvet chaise, vintage art, and antique bronze mirrors made it elegant without being gaudy. A vase of fresh flowers stood on the front counter, spilling their fragrance into the air.
The woman who came out was taller than me, with a big smile and gorgeous long brown hair. Her outfit—a sleeveless black top with a wide collar and wide legged black pants—was sleek and professional, while still highlighting her curves.
“Hi, you must be Audrey. I’m Marigold, or you can call me Mari.” She came closer and instead of shaking my hand, she stepped in for a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
I hugged her back, instantly loving her. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Stacey, my front desk person, is out sick today, so I’m juggling all the things.”
“It’s no problem.”
“Come on back and we’ll talk about your hair.”
She led me to her station and I sat in the chair. “I haven’t had a haircut in a long time. I got laid off and my hair paid the price.”
“I totally understand.” She put a black cape around me, then ran her fingers through my hair. “The good news is it’s pretty healthy. The ends are a bit dry and you have some splitting, but that’s to be expected if you haven’t had a haircut in a while. What are you thinking? Just a trim or do you want more of a change?”
“I don’t think I’m up for anything too dramatic. I’ve had enough change in my life lately.”
“Do you mind if I take off a couple of inches?” She held up a lock of hair to demonstrate. “Or are you concerned with keeping the length?”
“That’s fine. I wouldn’t mind a little less weight.”
“Yeah, as is, your hair is weighing you down.” She drew the hair around my face downward, emphasizing her point. “What if we take off about two inches to restore the health of your hair and add in some subtle layers for movement. It won’t be a dramatic change but it will still be fresh and vibrant.”
“That sounds perfect.”
She smiled at me in the mirror. “Great. I’ll wash your hair and then get started.”
I moved to the washing station and after she shampooed my hair, she gave me one of the best scalp massages I’d ever had. It was so relaxing, I was surprised she didn’t lull me to sleep. When she finished, she wrapped my hair in a towel and led me back to her station.
“So, Audrey, tell me about you.” She gently dried my hair and set the towel aside. “I know you’re new in town and you work for the Tribune. I also heard that your real name is Daisy and you’re a billionaire heiress, but I’m pretty sure that one was made up.”
“Daisy? Who said that?”
She shrugged as she combed out my wet hair. “I don’t remember. The Tilikum gossip line gets a little crazy when a new person moves in. Most of us know to take what we hear with a very large grain of salt.”
“I’m definitely not that interesting. I grew up in Pinecrest, moved away and thought I’d never come back. A layoff and a stint with unemployment cured me of that delusion. By the time I applied for the job at the Tribune, I was getting a little desperate.”
“If you grew up in Pinecrest, that basically makes you a local. What’s your last name again?”
“Young.”
“Hmm, it rings a bell but I guess we’d both remember if we knew each other. Unless you do remember me and I’m the jerk who forgot and I’m currently making this situation extremely awkward.”
“Not at all. Actually, I’m the worst at that. I forget names and faces so easily, it’s embarrassing.”
“I’m glad it’s not just me. Can I ask how old you are?”
“I’m thirty-five.”
“Thirty-four, so we’re close. We must have been in high school at the same time, although I don’t think I knew many kids from Pinecrest.”
“I was a cheerleader, so I mostly knew the other cheerleaders or athletes from Tilikum. Even then, I’ve probably forgotten most of them.”
“I tried out for the cheerleading squad my freshman year. Fortunately for me, I didn’t make the cut. I thought my life was over at the time, but it was probably a good thing. I would have been terrible. After that, I embraced my identity as the school bookworm.”
“Did you have one of those makeover moments when you got older? Because honestly, you don’t look like the school bookworm.”
She smiled while she kept cutting. “I was really into historical fiction, so books led me to costuming and fashion, which led me to hair and makeup. And I did get Lasik in my twenties, so that did away with the glasses. But it wasn’t so much that I had a makeover moment as learning to make my bookworminess work for me.”
“Did the cute boy you’d always had a crush on finally notice you?”
“No, but like my failed cheerleading career, that’s for the best too.”
“Are you married now?”
“No,” she said on a sigh. “Always a bridesmaid. My friends say my standards are too high. I don’t think my own Mr. Darcy, complete with title, estate, and impeccable manners is too much to ask for, but they think I have my head in the clouds. Or in my books. I do hair but I’m still a bookworm at heart. What about you?”
“Not married, much to my mother’s disappointment.”
“Don’t get me started on the suffocating disappointment of a marriage and grandchildren obsessed mother.”
I laughed. “Tell me about it. And I’m an only child, so all her hopes are pinned on me.”
“Same,” she said, meeting my eyes in the mirror. “So much pressure. I don’t think that helps the situation.”
“It really doesn’t. My mom still hasn’t forgiven me for not marrying my high school boyfriend.”
“How dare you,” she said with a smile.
“I know, right?”
“Do your parents still live in Pinecrest?”
“My mom does. My dad passed away a couple of years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thanks. What about your parents?”
“They’re still here, in the house I grew up in. Honestly, I partially blame them for my unrealistic relationship expectations. They met in preschool, were friends their entire lives, started dating in high school, got married, and have been blissfully happy ever since.”
“That’s so sweet.”
“They really are. My parents are nice, but they don’t understand why I’m still single in my thirties.” She paused, letting a piece of my hair drop. “Actually, I don’t understand why I’m still single in my thirties, but here we are.”
“I know the feeling. I’ve dated and even had a couple of relationships that I thought might be the one. But nothing has ever worked out. Sometimes I wonder what I’m doing wrong. I’d love to get married and have a family but it just hasn’t happened yet.”
“I feel the exact same way. Are we long lost sisters?”
“I think we might be.”
“At least you have the advantage of being the new girl. You’re interesting. And you don’t have memories of every eligible bachelor in town from when they were still afraid of your girl cooties.”
“Have you ever thought about moving somewhere else?”
She shrugged. “Yes, but no. I love living here and I don’t particularly want to live anywhere else. Plus I have my salon and it would be hard to start over professionally. I just keep hoping some dashing gentleman will appear and sweep me off my feet with over-the-top romantic gestures and we’ll build a house on the river and fill it with babies.”
“That’s not specific at all.”