Page 25 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

“Far too many gay Marks.” He chuckles. ‘What does he look like?”

“Average height. Brown hair and eyes. He’s 35. Has a golden retriever.” Nathan drops everything he knows. Wondering if Tommy might actually know him.

“I bet it’s Mark Knowles?” He looks at the ceiling, tapping a finger against his chin. “Harriet? Was that his dog?”

“Yes. That’s him.”

“He’s sweet…” Tommy cuts his sentence short.

“You know him?” Nathan is curious.

“Honey. It’s a small city. We all know each other.” He winks.

Nathan laughs.

“You are fresh meat though!” He sets the scissors and comb aside on a rolling tray and reaches for electric clippers hanging off the wall mounted drawer. “Mark will be a fun welcome wagon to ride.” He chuckles too hard at his own humor.

Good. Nathan chuckles at Tommy’s saucy honesty. “We’ll see.” Nathan winks this time.

Tommy growls. Carving Nathan’s beard into a tidy shape with the little buzzers. “Mark will take good care of you doll.” He taps a finger against Nathan’s lips.

The salon door opens and a middle-aged woman bursts through with coffees in each hand. She acts a bit perturbed when Angie informs her she’ll have to wait her turn.

“Have a seat Barb. I’ll be right with you.” Tommy takes note and dowses her hot red face with a frosty glare. “Crabby bitch.” He speaks under his breath, turning toward a collection of styling products and collecting a bottle of curl cream scented of cinnamon and vanilla.

“How do we feel?” Tommy takes a wide footed stance back behind the chair, hands waving over Nathan’s fresh new look.

“I love it!” He leans forward. Checking all angles in the mirror.

“Wait.” Tommy pulls a beige bottle from a cabinet. He dabs the liquid onto a tear shaped sponge and gently blots Nathan’s black eye. “There you go.”

Nathan studies his reflection, and his bruise is completely camouflaged. “Oh! thank you.”

“You're gorgeous.” Tommy pulls snaps undone from the cape wrapped over Nathan’s shoulders and tosses it onto a piled-up hamper. “If Mark doesn’t work out, you come see me and my husband.”

“Promise?” Nathan flirts.

“Mhmm!” Tommy lights up at the unexpected response. Smiling ear to ear. “Don’t play with an old queen doll. I won’t let you leave.”

They both laugh.

Tommy wraps around Nathan, patting his butt. Nathan gives Tommy a little pinch and wink.

He growls. “Come on Barb.” Turning attention to the impatient woman.

Nathan settles his bill with a generous tip and waves as he exits.

Tommy blows a kiss and waves back through the glass door.

Chapter 12

Awkward

The deafening percussion of a saucepan flying across the room and landing in an empty steel sink thunders through the kitchen. Hugo is fuming, crimson faced. He stomps around the prep table and out the back door, grumbling angry spanish expletives the entire way.

Gregory drops his knife, mid julienning an onion and stomps into the back office, slamming the door locked behind.

Eli stands in shock, wide eyed, clutching the damp cloth he’d been wiping tables down with.

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