Page 30 of The Truths We Seek

“Eh,” Shae grunts with a shrug. “You get used to it. Plus, Val has been my stylist for, well, forever. She’s cool with the penguin parade.”

“Penguin parade?” I ask, confused.

“These fools in their penguin suits.”

I laugh at her response as O’Connor groans behind me. “That might be the worst thing you’ve called us yet.”

“What can I say? I have wordy brilliance.”

“Sure you do, Princess,” Tonio retorts, rolling his eyes.

“All clear,” Bruno announces when he returns, opening the door for us.

“Let’s go!”

We walk inside to what looks more like some holistic spa that you see on reality tv than a salon.

“Shae!” An older woman calls out from across the room and walks over, embraces her, and kisses both her cheeks before turning to me. “You must be Quinn. We’re excited to get to give you both your new looks!”

I paint on a smile, a little overwhelmed. New looks? What the hell has Shae got us into now?

Val steers me away from Shae into the empty salon—I guess that’s why Bruno was so quick to call all clear—to a room at the back. “We’re going to start you with a massage and facial, then get on with your hair. Have a think about what you want us to do, but you’re going to need a trim at the very least.”

Blinking at her, trying to process it all, I nod. “Erm, yeah okay. I will.”

“This is Yvonne. She’ll be looking after you first. Would you like anything to drink?”

“No, thank you,” I respond, still a little overwhelmed but trying to get to grips with it all.

She pats my shoulder before opening the door and ushering me inside. A short, black-haired woman is in the room, setting up a tray. She smiles warmly at me and waves me in. Closing the door, I step inside, the scents and music all curated to be relaxing, I’m sure, but this is just… foreign.

“You must be Quinn. Please, come in. Shae booked you for a full body and facial, so I’ll leave you to get ready. Just undress, then pop up on the table, lay face down, and cover yourself with this towel.”

My overwhelm must be showing because she walks over to me, squeezes my bicep, and smiles again. “Deep breaths. This is supposed to be relaxing. I’ll give you a few minutes and knock before I come back in.” She winks at me before leaving the room and I take a deep breath.

Right. Relaxing.

A stranger rubbing over my body, feeling my scars. So freaking relaxing.

I know Shae means well, but damn, this is not my idea of a chill out. Regardless, I strip down and hop up onto the table.

Life is for living.

I repeat the words like a mantra and take a few deep breaths.

Life is for living, and that’s what I’m going to do. Push myself outside my comfort zone. Experience new things.

And apparently, that starts right now.

* * *

After a day of pampering and shopping, with my newly trimmed, styled, and re-highlighted hair, I asked Shae if we could swing by and check in on Tina. She stopped by the wake, but I wasn’t coherent enough to speak to her. It’s been a hot minute since I checked in with her properly and I know she starts at HellScape tonight.

Which is how I find myself in the elevator of my old building with Shae, Tonio, and Bruno, heading up to see my friend. The ding announces our arrival on the floor and the guys pile out in front of us.

“I know it’s their job, but seriously? Meyer owns this building. Surely, we’re safe.”

Shae snorts a laugh beside me as we leave the elevator. “Nothing is safe for precious cargo.”

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