Page 7 of Big Deal Sweetheart

Don’t look at his dick.

Don’t look at the bulge that is clearly his sizeable dick.

Jeezus, he has a big penis if the outline of the package behind his zipper is any indication.

Stop it, she admonished herself inwardly. If she didn’t get her mind off of his penis, she was going to embarrass herself and him.

“She asked if you’d like to come with us.”

Nova shook her head.

“I said I was sorry. Are you sure you can’t come to dinner with us?”

Nova realized she’d missed part of his conversation and had to cough in order to clear her throat. “Sorry, can you repeat that? Not the apology, but the other.”

“Delilah and I are having dinner at Stacks. She heard they have pancakes, and since I...made her upset, I promised her she could choose.”

He sounded as if he was upset, but it was the way he rocked back on his heels that drew her attention downward, again. “Err, yeah, they’re known for their unique pancake creations. They’re the best I’ve ever had, and trust me, I’ve had pancakes all over the world.” She slammed her mouth closed, not wanting to disclose any more information to this man.

“That’s what she’s assured me. So, can you join us? We can come by and pick you up at six this evening.” He brought one of his hands up to rub the back of his neck looking almost as uncomfortable as her.

“I’ll meet you there. I might be a few minutes late, since my last client comes in at five, and I don’t like to rush them.” Which was true and she had no prior knowledge of their hair other than what was beside their appointment. Her Nana was very detailed, but not like she was. She kept meticulous notes and images in the computer she could access prior to each client coming in to see her.

“Sounds good. If you can’t make it, no biggie.” Keifer turned on his expensive loafers, walking toward the door without a backward glance.

“Wait, Delilah’s purse.” She handed him the expensive bag, their fingers brushing. The zing that went from her hand all the way to her toes should’ve warned her that the man was trouble with a capital T, but as her Nana had always said, she was never one to listen to signs. Or rather, she preferred to live dangerously. Either way, she knew she wasn’t going to not meet with the duo because she wanted to see Keifer and Delilah.

“Thank you. Hope to see you, but we’ll understand if something comes up.” He gave a nod then left.

She didn’t know why his dismissal stung, but it did. She fought the urge to stick her tongue out at his retreating back. It was a little harder to resist the urge this time, but she did. Nova counted that as a victory. For the next couple hours, she worked, cutting and styling all her clients’ hair and hearing stories about her Nana that had her laughing like a loon. By the time the last client left, it was almost six. Stacks was a short walk from the salon, and if she left right then, she’d make it on time. But her mind kept thinking of the dismissive way he’d spoken.

“What’re your plans for the evening, Linny?”

Linny walked out of the bathroom with her purse slung across her chest, fixing the messy bun on top her head. “I have a date with Mr. Advil and Mrs. Slouchy Pants.”

Nova stared across the short expanse, wondering if she’d misheard Linny. The woman was dressed impeccably, hair and makeup on point, and her outfit would look great at any nightclub or restaurant. “You’re going home?”

“Yes, ma’am. I can’t wait to strip outta these and into the softest, baggiest things I own and veg out all weekend long. I have no client’s hair to do, and that is fine by me,” she sighed.

“Do you have a boyfriend or...” She trailed off since she didn’t know if the other woman had a girlfriend or partner.

“Is that your way of asking if I’m a lesbian.” Linny wiggled her eyebrows, laughing lightly.

“Listen, I don’t care if you like women, men, or both as long as you’re happy. One of my best friends said he’d known he was gay when he was five but hadn’t been able to tell his family until he was twelve. Up until then, he said his life was terribly lonely as he tried to be a real boy, as his family had put it. Once he came out, he said all of a sudden, his life was so much better. Even though some of his family wouldn’t accept him. He’s thirty-two and living life authentically for himself.” She had vowed to never judge, and to be openminded, when, or if, she was blessed with children.

“I knew I’d like you, especially if you were anything like your Nana. Now I’m off to get cozy and comfy with my couch and some John Wick. You need to go and eat some pancakes with the delectable Keifer and Delilah. If for nothing else, do it for me so I can live vicariously though you.” Linny winked as she passed Nova.

“Why don’t you go in my place and tell him I have a migraine?”

Linny stopped with one hand on the door, looking over her shoulder. “For one, he didn’t invite me. For two, I don’t want or need a man in my life right now. Have a good night and lock up. I already locked the back door, so just use your key to lock the front. The alarm is set with the app on your phone, but if you forget, your Nana will pop on and make sure it’s done. She’s good like that,” Linny said with a chuckle.

Nova had no doubt her Nana would do just that. “See you tomorrow, Linny.”

She stared around the salon, noticing it was as pristine as when she’d first come in. With Darla constant picking up after them when they finished a client, along with the lull between them, she found herself going around and straightening or organizing things. Not that her Nana and the others didn’t already have the place looking good, but it wasn’t in her to sit around and do nothing. If she had been a full-time stylist there, she’d have installed a software system for the stylist to enter information about the clients, but as her Nana said, if things weren’t broke, don’t fix them.

Taking her purse out of the closet in the back, she checked to make sure her phone was inside before grabbing her coat and then slipped her boots on after she took the pumps she’d worn off. She slid the pumps into the oversized bag she carried just in case she wanted to look cute. “No girl, you don’t want to look cute or sexy,” she reminded herself, walking out the door and locking it. A quick look up at the camera above the door, she remembered to give a little wave. Her Nana was more than likely watching to ensure she was safe, the little gesture was her way of allowing her Nana to relax she hoped.

A cold breeze hit her when she left the shelter of the entryway, making her pull her hat up on her head. “To pancake, or not to pancake, that is the question?”

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