Page 49 of The Agent
That didn’t stop Dawn. “When I see you and Tully together, I can’t help thinking that you are really good for each other. Why shouldn’t you both be happy?”
Natalie wanted Tully to find a good woman to bring him joy, but it wouldn’t be her. “Iamhappy, just as I am.”
“You look happier when you’re with Tully,” Dawn insisted.
“He’s a great guy,” Natalie said. “I wish him all the best.” She was still rebuilding herself. There wasn’t room for a man in the process, especially not one as overwhelming as Tully.
“Give it a chance, Nat,” Dawn said. “That’s all I’m saying.”
“You know, I think I’ll try some of that raspberry jam on this croissant,” Natalie said.
Chapter 13
“Why don’t I give you a little layering in the back?” Natalie asked her client. “It would add some lift and bounce to your hair.”
The woman smiled at her in the mirror’s reflection. “I trust you, so do whatever you think will look best.”
“Terrific.” Natalie swapped her scissors and began to snip. Working with the texture and natural bend of the hair required a concentration that kept her mind off her personal problems. The feel of the scissors around her fingers, the metallic swish of the blades sliding against each other, and the fragrance of hair products were like a spa experience for her today, blissfully familiar and soothing. As her client’s hair fell into a sassy curve, satisfaction spread through her. “I think you’re really going to like this.”
“Natalie, sorry to bother you.” Bianca, the receptionist, approached with a concerned frown. She came up close and murmured, “Your ex is here. He says he needs to talk with you and that it’s urgent.”
For a moment apprehension balled a fist in Natalie’s throat. Matt wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t upset about something, and she would have to deal with his displeasure. She reminded herself that she was no longer married to him, so she didn’t have to live with his punishing anger. Yet she still had to take a deep breath.
“Ask him to wait in my office while I finish up with Leslie.” She wasn’t going to rush through her appointment because her ex had shown up unannounced.
Pam prowled over to Natalie’s chair as Bianca departed. “I’ll be right outside your office. Make sure to leave the door open when you go in to talk to him.”
Natalie nodded, and Pam walked away.
Making Matt wait would probably increase his anger, but Natalie willed her hands to stay steady as she took her time in trimming and blowing out Leslie’s hair. When she was done, she tossed her client’s lavender cape into the laundry bin and then wiped her palms on her linen trousers. She hated that Matt could still jangle her nerves like this. She faced herself in the mirror, tucked her short blonde hair behind her ears, and lifted her chin, sending herself the message that she held the power now.
She stopped to tell Bianca to get her next client started with shampooing and strode down the hallway to her office, exchanging what she hoped was a steady glance with Pam as she passed. Her ex stood staring out the window behind her desk, his arms crossed. He was wearing a gray suit, so he must have come from work. She noticed that his hair was longer than he used to wear it. Trying to look young and hip for the new girlfriend.
“Hello, Matt,” she said in a cool tone as she took two steps into the room and halted. “I’ve got a client waiting, so what can I do for you?”
He turned with a scowl. It was odd that he looked so familiar and yet seemed like such a stranger. “You can tell me why two people have come to my office asking about you. I’m concerned for you.”
“Twopeople asking about me? Goodness, I’m popular.” She only knew about Tully. “What did they want to know?”
His jaw tightened. “The first guy—who had a gun!—accused me of stalking you, which is ridiculous. He seemed to be investigating for you, so you must know him.”
Natalie nodded. “He’s a former FBI agent.”
“Shit, Nat, you’re really being stalked?” Matt uncrossed his arms. “Did you catch the guy?”
“Not yet, but Mr. Gibson is working on it.” Natalie gestured toward the chair in front of her desk. She wasn’t going to let Matt have the power seat behind her desk. “Why don’t you sit down, since this sounds serious.” She wanted to know about his second visitor.
“Damn straight it’s serious. You could be in danger.” He hesitated before coming around the desk and seating himself where she’d suggested.
Natalie settled into her desk chair with a small sense of victory. “What did the second person want to talk about?”
A look of unease flitted across her ex-husband’s face. “He claimed that you’re stealing men’s wives.”
Natalie managed to chuckle even as the half-truth struck home. “That’s insane.”
“I laughed too, but the guy wasn’t joking. He said you talk them into leaving their husbands. Which sounded like something you’d do.” Matt’s expression wasn’t amused. “Then he told me that you were going to get yourself in trouble and I should warn you to stop.”
“Why would he think you could stop me when we are no longer married?” Natalie folded her hands on the desk to keep them from shaking with nerves.
