Page 48 of New Day at the Beach House

Happy with that, she got in the shower and, since she had time, did a full exfoliation and shaved all the areas.

When she got out, she moisturized, plucked a few stray brow hairs, then wrapped up in her robe and did her face. Nothing too much. No lashes. Again, the grocery store wasn’t a nightclub, and she didn’t want looks from Claire because the woman thought she’d overdressed.

As Roxie filled in her brows, she thought about their earlier conversation. Could they really be friends?

Roxie thought it was possible on her end, but she wasn’t so sure about Claire. That was a woman who had been deeply hurt. What Bryan had done was awful, no doubt about that, and he deserved all of their bad thoughts and feelings, but Claire seemed very much like she held Roxie accountable, too. Or at least she had seemed that way.

Only time would convince Claire that Roxie was just as innocent in all of this as she was. Until then, Roxie would do her best to keep the peace and be nice. She much preferred having Claire as a friend than a foe.

Although, Claire had skin in the game now that she and Danny were renting a spot from Willie. Claire ought to be as sweet as pie to the daughter of her new landlady. Didn’t mean Roxie thought she should be fake about it.

But being nice wouldn’t hurt anything. And it could actually help.

Willie wasn’t about to do anything against Danny. Not with her being involved with his dad.

Roxie stood back to look at her brows and make sure they were even. Funny how things worked out, wasn’t it?

Satisfied with her brows, she lined her eyes, added lots of mascara, then used her cream blush to make her cheeks look healthy.

With the sun she’d been getting, she had the start of a nice tan. She didn’t want too much. Had to protect the skin. But a little color made her feel like a million bucks. Did wonders for the legs, too.

She finished her makeup and got dressed, deciding on the hair scarf after all. It was too cute not to. Then she texted Claire to see when she’d be ready before going back to the living room.

Willie was snoring softly. Roxie kept her voice down as she spoke to Trina. “Are you ready for me to order those towels?”

Trina smiled. “You look great, Ma. I love that outfit. I love the whole look.”

“Thanks.” Roxie did a quick pose, pinup style. “Now, what about those towels?

Trina laughed. “I already took care of it. I found the ones I liked and just put the order in. I appreciate you being willing to help.”

“I can still call the sign people.”

“They emailed me right before you went into shower. They showed me three mockups. You want to see them? I haven’t decided yet.”

“I’d love to.” Roxie came around the coffee table and sat by her daughter.

Trina pulled up the email and then clicked on a link. That took her to a page that had three versions of the new salon sign.

Roxie leaned in. “They look so real. Like they’re really on the building already.”

Trina nodded. “It’s the software they use. Which one do you like?”

Roxie shook her head. “They all look nice. Which one do you like?”

“I don’t want to tell you yet. I’m afraid I’ll influence you.”

Roxie bit her lip and studied the different designs. Finally, she pointed at the one in the middle. It had a silhouette of a woman with beautiful flowing hair, then “A Cut Above” next to it in a nice font. “I like that one best.”

Trina grinned. “So do I. I want to show Mimi, too, but I don’t think I should wake her.”

Roxie leaned back. “Ma. Ma, wake up. Trina needs to show you something.”

Trina snorted. “I could have done that.”

Willie came to with a start. “What is it? What’s happening?”

Trina answered her. “I just wanted to show you the new salon sign, Mimi.”

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