Page 88 of Family Bonds- Jarrett & Andi

“Good,” Amanda said. “Many of my clients have noticed your work and I think you’d be a good fit for what some of them are looking for. And if they like you better and want to continue with you, I’d have no hard feelings.”

“I’d never steal someone away,” she said.

Amanda reached her hand over. “I know that. But the truth is, it won’t hurt my feelings to have fewer clients. I only work two days a week as it is and then will be out for most likely two or three months depending on how things go. Not everyone can wait.”

“No,” she said. “I know that myself. And you can send anyone my way you want and I’ll work them in. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and even referring clients to me to get me started. I still have plenty of room in my schedule.”

“No reason to overstuff your schedule,” Amanda said. “You’ve got a boyfriend.”

She grinned. “I do. But it’s new yet and we both work a lot and don’t have traditional hours.”

“You’ll figure it out because that is what people in love do.”

“They do,” she said. “I’ve never felt like I do now. It’s scary.”

“I’ve learned that love is,” Amanda said. “Jarrett, he’s a great guy.”

“Hereallyis,” she said. “And here is my client now.”

She turned when Melody walked in. The second time she’d seen her in the time she’d lived here. This was going to be a long appointment. Highlight and style.

“Hi, Andi,” Melody said. “I’m looking forward to this. I’m already getting the winter blues and it’s justmid-January, but maybe a new style will help.”

She missed the days when she just changed her style with any mood. It was best to stay under the radar now.

“That’s what I’m here for,” she said. “What are you looking for?”

Melody pulled up a picture on her phone and showed her. “I like this. All the shades of blonde blended in and some layers around my face and the back. I’ve got a bit of a natural wave and want to try to bring that back rather than always straightening my hair.”

“Perfect,” she said. “I think this style will look great on you.”

For the next several hours she chatted with her client while her hair was lightening.

She was combing Melody’s hair out and admiring the shades of blonde she mixed into her client’s brown hair getting ready to cut it.

Right before she was going to blow dry out the new style, her phone vibrated. She’d normally let it go but pulled it out to just see if it was her next client canceling.

It was Jarrett asking if she had time for lunch.

She texted him back she did.

“You’re smiling,” Melody said.

“I am?” she asked.

“You should see your face. It just lit up. I bet it’s a man you’re talking to.”

She laughed. “It’s my boyfriend. He’s going to bring me some lunch.”

“That’s sweet,” Melody said.

“He is a sweet guy,” she said. And had to remind herself for all the times she thought of what she’d lost in her past life, she had this future she was enjoying.

“Which is hard to find,” Melody said. “Trust me, I know. I’ve lived on this island for about two years and it’s so hard to find a guy. Most of my dates are people I’ve met in Boston and then I go there and come back or they come here. And when you haveto do that, they expect you to stay the night or they stay here. I should have thought of all of that when I moved here.”

“Why did you move here?” she asked.

“I’m a nurse,” Melody said. “I was in Boston and the position opened here on the island. It pays a lot more and there were incentives to come. I know it costs more to live here, but when I did the math, I’m still making a lot more. I was looking at that and not thinking of my social life.”

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