Page 2 of Sturdy & Dirty

“I bet you’re just dying to get moved. Not that this place doesn’t have its own charm.”

I snorted. “If by charm you mean mildew in the ceiling tiles and pieces of the floor that crunch, then yeah… I’m sure not gonna miss it.”

“What,” she teased, “not even these pinstriped walls? Or how about the brass faucets? I know you’ll miss those.”

I shook my head. “Not even a little.”

Ivy chuckled from the corner.

The “mortuary” was a fitting nickname because it felt like a place for dead things instead of the vision me and my sister had dreamed up. We wanted our salon to speak of vibrance and life. Colors instead of drab. A place that was blooming rather than wilting to the past.

You’ll have it. Soon. Be patient.

But patience was not a virtue I possessed, and the wait felt like it would never be over.

But… I did have my builder’s wife right here in my chair. What better time to dig for information.

“How close did he say they were exactly?”

“Oh, you know he never gives me dates or anything. So, I’m not sure. But I can tell you this: he’s brought in a new guy to do the brick and rock work you wanted out front, and I think it’s going to be gorgeous.”

“Oh, yeah?”

This was fabulous news.

We wanted a sleek little water piece out front to welcome our guests. Something modern and elegant. I envisioned it teeming with plant life that represented our mood. Flowers in the summer and bustling greenery for the colder months. A centerpiece that shifted and changed, but somehow stayed the same.

Growth and beauty.

It was our cornerstone theme.

And we wanted anything to feel possible from the moment our clients stepped foot inside. Setting the tone beforehand, seemed a no-brainer.

“Wait. Is it who I think it is?” Ivy called from the sink where she was rinsing our new client’s hair. “Are we talking about the same brick guy? Austin, from the gym?”

Kimmie grinned, her eyes finding my sister’s in the mirror.

“That’s him. Konner says he’s one of the best.”

Ivy whistled low. “I bet he is. I bet he’s real good at a lot of things.” Her muttered suggestive tone had me glancing her direction.

My sister was a single Pringle just like me, but it wasn't like her to be so obvious with her desires.

Then again, she’d changed a lot since joining the Chub Club at the local gym that Kimmie’s brother owned. The biggest shift being her confidence. And for that, I was beyond grateful.

The club was a group for larger people who wanted to focus on getting healthy while being good to themselves along the way. It was about whole-self acceptance, and loving the body they were in, no matter what society thought.

But the sweetest part was how many of them had also found love.

Like Kimmie. Who was married to one hunk of a man who adored the hell outta her.

I wished the same for my sister one day.

And… maybe for myself too.

I’d sworn off of love after finally getting over a hellish relationship with the only guy I’d ever been with.

Rex.

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