Page 56 of Coming Up Roses

“His uncle?” She tilts her head the other way. Seraphine and I stay silent, knowing she’s only seconds from connecting the dots. “Oh! No way!”

“Yes, ma’am, and he’s on Myla’s book along with his other nephew.”

“You good with that, Myles?”

“Mmm, sure thing. Can’t friggin’ wait.”

* * *

“You ready for today?”Azalea asks as we go about setting the salon up for the day.

“Why wouldn’t I be?"

“Hey, I’m just asking—”

“Good mornin’, ladies,” Seraphine sing-songs as she walks into the salon.

I twirl around at the sound of her voice. “Hi. You’re off today—what gives?”

“Oh, like I’d miss today,” she replies, and I roll my eyes and Azalea snorts. “And I brought coffee. You’re welcome.”

She sets a to-go cup on each of our stations before marching back to the dispensary. Azalea shoots me a look full of amusement before picking up her coffee and following Seraphine.

I reluctantly follow suit. “Are y’all ever going to stop giving me shit about him? I mean, my stars alive.”

They exchange a knowing look, and Azalea asks, “Did you ever let him explain himself?”

“She's right, you know?” Seraphine quips. "You should hear him out and then decide if you wanna be mad."

“No, no, no. I'm not mad. Not one bit. We hung out a few times and went on one date. Turns out we weren't on the same page.” Minimize and hide those feelings, girl. “Sure, I hate that he led me on, but we're both adults and capable of acting like it. He left a note saying sorry, and I just wanna let the past be, got it? I mean, it’s not like I’m pining away for him.” I slap a hand to my forehead—why did I say that?

“Aren’t you?” AzzyJo fires back.

“Ugh, forget this.” I check the time on my phone. “This conversation is finished. It’s time to open.” I snatch up my coffee and stomp out to my station.

I know I’m overreacting, but still. My grand exit has me feeling a bit better, and I know chatting with Mrs. Cumberland will finish the job. That woman is a ball of energy and so full of life, it’s impossible to be anything but happy in her presence.

Just what I need before his haircut.

Azalea and Seraphine file out behind me, and Seraphine drops her gaze to the floor as she walks past me on her way to the front desk.

Great, now I feel bad.

“You know we were only messing with you, right?” Azalea asks. “No need to pitch a fit.”

She walks away and joins Seraphine at the front desk before I can even form a reply. Looks like I’ll need to add groveling to my to-do list today.

* * *

“Oh,Myla Rose, this color is just a little slice of heaven. Exactly what I was goin’ for!” Mrs. Cumberland exclaims when I spin her to face the mirror after blowing her out.

I lightened her hair up a bit to blend out those pesky silver strands, as she calls them. But God bless her, you’d think I’d performed a miracle with how excited she is over it.

"I’m glad you like it. And you should definitely be able to go a week or two longer between touch-ups.”

“You know, with this new color, maybe I’d like a new cut as well? What do you think?”

“I think you’d look amazing with some soft layers around your face and maybe a side-swept bang.”

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