Page 36 of Making New Plans

I meant to play it cool. I really did. I had my nose in the air and the hammer casually dangling from my hand as if I’d been born with one there. I couldn’t see myself, but I hoped my attitude shouted, “You didn’t affect me!”

But then that other side, that reawakened side of me, clawed her way out. The one that drank in the sight of Hunter helping Carter tear out the old basement shelves. That zeroed in on Hunter’s sweaty, bulging arms and his dark, clingy tee shirt. That saw him rip a piece of wood from its moorings and nearly curled her toes.

Clang! The hammer had slipped from my grip and smacked against the concrete floor. Both men did a one-eighty.

“Shit, Chloe,” Carter growled, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Quit your stalking.”

Hunter’s smirk burned through me. “She does that.”

Pursing my lips and trying to maintain my dignity, I swiped the hammer off the floor.

“Is that my hammer?” Carter demanded.

“I borrowed it.”

“Stay out of my stuff, Chloe! Now put it back. And in the right slot.”

I jammed the hammer into its slot. Then I folded my arms and glared at him, grateful for the distraction as Hunter used the bottom of his shirt to wipe sweat from his face. Yes, abs. I got it. I could wash my face on them. Play another card already, Hunter.

“Be nice, Carter, or you don’t get the free lunch I promised.”

His scowl immediately flipped to a smile, and I rolled my eyes. So easy. My eyes slid back to Hunter. Him, not so much. He watched me like he could see through every layer of clothing and every layer of defense I tried to wrap around myself to ward him off. Goosebumps flared over my body.

Time to retreat.

“Ask Mable for lunch when you’re ready, Carter. Hunter.” Taking extra care not to trip on my way up, which was hard to do with my nose in the air, I escaped.

At the front desk, I scrolled through the reminders on my phone then flipped through my planner. I had a bit of an open spot, so I quickly texted Gina, Sarah, and Rose if they could meet and left without waiting for responses. Somebody would be around. They had to be.

The walk to River Roots Salon took about twenty minutes, but every minute of the cool, fresh air was worth it. Water ran nonstop into the drains around the park and the town streets—a sure sign of winter’s demise. The snow melt plus the storm had left large standing puddles in places that I had to skirt around to save my cute flats.

River Roots, like all the shops around the square, pointed toward the park. Located in a red brick building with large glass windows, the hair, makeup, and gossip salon sat in the perfect spot. Gina had opened it up about four years ago when she’d moved to town. She and her twelve-year-old son, Dominic, lived in the apartment above the shop.

I thrust the door open with a merry tinkle from the bell. Rose and Sarah were the only chair occupants for the time being. I breathed a sigh of relief.

“How’d you guys get here so fast?” I asked, throwing myself into the chair by the black-and-white of Audrey Hepburn in her Breakfast at Tiffany’s getup. Gina had decorated her salon with prints of old and new movie stars and painted glittery gold quotes from her favorite movies on the walls.

Rose and Sarah exchanged a look, and Sarah answered, “Your text was in all caps with multiple exclamation points. Usually that’s not-so-subtle Chloe code for T-minus ten minutes until meltdown.”

I groaned, dropping my head back. Gina bustled out from the back, her long, gorgeous hair in a three-tiered bun. I made a floppy hand gesture at it. “Rey from Star Wars?”

“Yes! For that, I’ll give you a free wash.”

“You’re an angel. That’s exactly what I need.”

One of my favorite ways to relax was to let Gina pamper me for a bit. Either a makeover (Gina was an unapologetic Sephora hoarder) or a hair wash and style. Occasionally, she even did manicures.

I swapped chairs for one by the sink and threw on a cape. Closing my eyes as she turned on the water, I laid back. Mmm, warm water sliding through my hair while she dragged her nails over my scalp could put me to sleep.

Except I felt three sets of eyes boring into me. Like hello, could they not tell I was trying to dissolve into mindless bliss right now? I guess I did invite them. But I needed one damn minute.

Gina cleared her throat. I rolled my eyes under my eyelids. Sarah coughed. Several times. Evasion seemed to be the only way to get my minute.

“Sarah, Rose, who’s minding your shops?” I asked.

“New kid,” Sarah responded immediately. “Figured he could use a break from me hovering over his shoulder. I think I make him nervous.” She didn’t sound the least bit sorry.

Rose spoke up next. “I decided to close up for a bit since I have a birthday group coming in an hour.” She owned an art studio called Exquisite Moments by Rose Rafferty. She did everything from photography to jewelry to painting, and she’d recently opened her studio to groups who wanted to learn. “I still have some prep work to do though, so I can’t stay long.”

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