Sheer Bliss Read Online Free PDF Page B

said while Calla
focused on how Caleb turned slowly in place for an empty chair.
Given the dearth of waiting customers, he had his pick, and little
Melina’s mother might have succeeded at getting him to park next to
her had not the girl whined to leave.
    “ Mom,” she punctuated the
multiple-syllabic call with a stamped foot. “You said we could get
ice cream.” The girl shook a fist, now decorated with a sparkling
stretch bracelet taken from the treasure chest.
    Caleb chuckled and smiled
down at her. “I swear, girl, you are getting to look more like your
mom every day. So pretty. Hey, I’ll see you both at the dance,
right?”
    That seemed to mollify
Deb, and after Mom paid the bill the two said their goodbyes.
Trisha pulled up the rolling desk chair from behind the front
counter to sit near Maya, who planted herself in the raised
barber’s chair.
    “ Don’t you want to wait
for me to sweep up first?” She turned toward her new customers,
hoping that the distance from Caleb might ease the pounding in her
chest.
    “ Why?” Maya waved her off.
“You’re only going to do it again when you’re done with me. This
shouldn’t take long, anyway. Just trim the bangs and take an inch
off the length.”
    Trisha frowned. “Aw, no
updo this year?”
    “ Honey, there’s no reason
for me to go all out anymore. My matchmaking days are long behind
me, but I do appreciate you letting me cut in line. Got a lot to do
as it is.”
    Calla tightened a fresh
bib around Maya’s neck, earning a warning grunt in return. She
couldn’t decide if the woman’s remark served to needle her or not,
but looking at Trisha she realized the younger woman didn’t appear
fazed.
    Quickly checking the lobby
once more, she saw Caleb had settled down to read an entertainment
magazine, apparently oblivious to their conversation.
    Right . Calla
couldn’t feel secure in divulging anything if Caleb’s sharp cat
hearing might pick up a few words he would interpret on his own. So
she worked quietly, adding the occasional “uh-huh” and “yeah” while
Maya and Trisha gossiped about their small town and the more
interesting inhabitants worthy of gab. Before long the woman traded
places and Maya lingered while Calla worked her magic to give
Trisha a model-worthy style.
    When the topic steered
toward Trisha’s future plans, though, Calla couldn’t help but
detect how the younger girl faltered and shrugged off any
affirmations about college. “I know it’s getting down to the wire,”
Trisha said, “but I’m thinking I can talk Mom into letting me go to
Europe first. I really want to travel, live a bit on my own before
I get tied down to something.”
    Tied down to an arranged
marriage, Calla knew, but she kept her mouth shut. Nonetheless, the
insinuation hung in the air, scented by the mist from Calla’s pump
bottle of hairspray as she finished.
    She spun the chair around
so Trisha could see her reflection. “Okay, chica . What do
you think?”
    “ I love it! Thanks.”
Trisha gingerly bobbed the swaying top knot and twitched to allow
the cascading curls covering her ears to swing. “I just hope it
holds up through the rest of the day.”
    “ You need some hairspray?
I have an extra hold formula that will—”
    Maya broke in, “What? No,
she doesn’t need any shellacking. You’ll be fine, Trisha.” Waving
the young woman out of the chair, Maya then tucked her purse
underneath her arm and leered at Calla. “We’ll see you at the big
party, then?”
    Maya’s proximity
discomforted Calla, but if the lady wolf hoped for a reaction to
confirm any sexual attraction, Calla knew she disappointed her.
Beautiful though Maya looked, Calla felt nothing anymore. “Still
thinking about it,” Calla finally answered with a shrug. “Depends
on how business goes today.”
    “ Yeah, I imagine the eight
PM crush for cuts and curlers is unbearable. You really need to get
another stylist in here to handle it with you.” Maya snorted, her
gaze