Page 60 of Nova

18

Promise

''What is it like being with a man who is a twin?'' Sadie asks as she stands behind Piper, who is sitting in a chair, getting her hair trimmed. Sadie also makes sure to face Luna, who is sitting with her feet soaking in some water as she waits for a pedicure. ''Do you two ever get them mixed up?''

Both Luna and I scrunch up our noses at the question. ''No,'' I say the same time Luna's soft voice says, ''never.'' Luna and I giggle at each other.

''But they look exactly alike,'' Sadie huffs.

I shake my head. ''Not to me. To me, they are so different. Especially their demeanor.'' Luna nods in agreement.

''I'm afraid I'd have to agree with Promise on this one,'' Tequila pipes up. She wasn't excited about a mani-pedi girls' day that us women had chosen to do earlier while sitting around the clubhouse, but when her little sister Sydney perked up at the idea, she couldn't say no. Another perk to having Tequila spending the day hanging out with us—no babysitter. ''Riggs and Nova are like night and day in my eyes. Then again, I've known them since I was a kid so…'' Tequila shrugs.

''All done, sweetheart.'' Sadie unfastens the nylon cape from around Piper's neck.

''Thanks, Sadie.'' Piper looks in the mirror as she runs her fingers through her long strands.

''You're welcome, Piper. I have some snacks and soda in the refrigerator in the back if you and Sydney want some before I start on your nails,'' Sadie offers.

''Sure.'' Piper looks to Sydney. ''Come on.'' The two girls make their way toward the back of the salon to where the break room is.

Once the girls are out of earshot, London is the next to put her two cents in. ''If we are going to talk about the twins, then how about you two,'' she points to Luna and me, ''compare notes on how they are in…''

''London!'' I screech, cutting her off before she could finish her sentence. I know what was about to come out of that dirty mouth of hers. I know by the mischievous smile she casts my way.

''What? You can't blame a girl for being curious.''

''Stop asking me that. I told you last time I wasn't going to tell you,'' I laugh.

''That's because you're no fun, Promise.''

London turns her attention away from me to Luna. The way her cheeks have reddened, I'd say she understood what London was asking.

''Ignore my best friend. She's highly inappropriate.'' I look directly at Luna, letting her read my lips and smile.

''Again, I have to agree with your girl. Nova and Riggs are like my brothers. I don't want those kinds of mental visions haunting my dreams,'' Tequila mock shivers causing everyone to laugh. Thank God the subject was shut down because Piper and Sydney emerge from the back a second later.

''Those are some awesome cookies you have back there, Miss Sadie,'' Sydney says with a soda in one hand and a cookie in the other.

''Thanks, sweetheart,'' Sadie smiles. ''How about I wrap some up for you to take with you. I have plenty left at home so you can have what I brought with me today.''

''That would be great. Thanks,'' Sydney beams.

A few minutes later, the subject changes when Tequila asks, ''How's the new office coming along. Fender says the last of the furniture arrived the other day.''

''It's coming along great. London and I officially open next week. We've already had a couple of former clients reach out to us too.''

''I have an excellent feeling you and London will do great,'' Sadie adds.

''Thanks, girl. I have a good feeling about our new venture too. It's a fresh start.''

Tequila's phone rings, cutting into our conversation. She pulls it from her pocket just as the ringing stops. ''That was my dad. I need to call him back.'' She stands. ''I'm going to grab some coffee from across the street while I make my call. Anyone want me to bring them back anything?''

We all decline Tequila's offer.

''Can Sydney hang with you all? I'll only be a few minutes.''

''Of course,'' I tell her.

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