Page 68 of Loco

“Hey, babe,” she called, waving like she owned the place, which, honestly, with her energy, she kind of did.

“I’ve got you in the book,” I said, returning her smile. “You ready to go bright again?”

“Youknowit,” she said, flipping her hair. “These roots are an embarrassment to my brand.”

She plopped down in my second chair as I finished the foils on my first client, and I pulled the bright pink dye from the cabinet without even needing to ask. It was her signature color, and honestly, it looked gorgeous on her. Not everyone could pull off pink like she did—bold, unapologetic, and completely her.

As I sectioned her hair, she talked about her youngest kids being in the daycare—the same one Kairo and Kaida were in. My chest warmed at that. I loved that they were making friends, laughing, and having people around them who were helping make this their new home. Especially with Kairo’s birthday coming up in a month, I wanted it to be special. I wanted him to feel wrapped up in joy, sugar, balloons, and love. He deserved that.Theyboth did.

I just had to keep holding it together until then and try not to let the fear swallow the good parts.

As I finished painting the last section of foil into my client’s hair, I glanced down at my phone and smiled. Roque had texted me earlier that morning, telling me he wanted to throw a party for Kairo’s birthday and was thinking of asking Heidi to make the cake. What he didn’t know was that I’d already texted her the night before, and we’d locked it all in—theme, date, even flavor. I just needed to find out his favorite flavor, but I already knew he’d want race car decorations because Kairo had been on a Lightning McQueen kick for weeks.

When Tabby sat down, and I’d started working the bright pink dye into her roots, I grinned and asked, “Hey, you and Jose think you could make it to Kairo’s birthday party? It’ll be in a few weeks, and Heidi’s making the cake, which is race car themed.”

“Race car party? Girl,yes,” Tabby said immediately. “I’ll drag Jose and the kids there myself if I have to. My heathens will lose their minds over that. What day?”

I rattled off the date, and she pulled out her phone to jot it down. Then her eyes lit up.

“Oh, you know what you should do? Get those little cardboard racetracks the kids can build. Or better yet, make a ‘pit stop’ station where they can decorate paper cars. Maybe tire-shaped cupcakes? I have a Pinterest board somewhere.”

I laughed, moving between her hair and checking on the foils for my other client. “I should’ve known you’d have a whole party plan ready.”

“Girl, I was born for this,” she said, already typing out texts. “I’ll ask Rose, Bexley, Katy, the Townsends, and the others too. Get them to bring their kids to celebrate lil man’s special day. I doubt anyone will say no. We can get those balloon towers in black and white like a checkered flag. I know a girl.”

Somehow, between applying dye and rinsing highlights, we started building an entire raceway in our heads. It was chaotic but fun—and honestly, a welcome distraction. Planning something joyful for the kids grounded me in all the good stuff that was still here, even with everything else going on.

But the moment broke when Tabby’s phone rang.

She answered quickly, brow furrowing. “Hey, babe. What’s up?”

I only heard one side of the conversation, but I saw her face change—tightening and jaw clenching.

“What? Are they okay?” she asked, then nodded slowly. “Okay, I’ll head home. Be careful, DB.”

She hung up, eyes wide.

“What happened?”

“Someone tried breaking into the daycare,” she growled. “It’s on lockdown. DB’s going over to check things out and get the kids. He said they’re safe, but he didn’t want to wait to go and get them.”

I barely had time to react before my phone buzzed with a text from Roque.

Roque: The daycare is on lockdown. All the kids are safe. Can I drop Kairo and Kaida off with you for a bit? I need to clear something.

I texted back right away.

Me:Of course, bring them whenever. We’ll be here.

Tabby and I exchanged a look—equal parts rattled and furious.

Forty-five minutes later, Roque showed up with both kids in tow. Kairo ran to me the moment I opened the salon door, arms outstretched like I was the only safe place in the world. I scooped him up and kissed his cheek.

“You guys okay?” I asked, looking between them.

“They were a little shaken, but no one got in,” Roque said, voice low. “Security saw someone messing around at the side fence. Staff acted fast.”

“Did they catch them?”

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