Page 45 of Second Time Around

“Nothing.”

“So, you’re just doing this out of the kindness of your heart?” She couldn’t keep her skepticism from creeping back in.

“Is that so hard to believe?”

She sighed. “I’d like to pay you something.”

“That’s not necessary, but if you give the restaurant a shout-out, I’d appreciate it.”

“I can do better than that.”

“Oh?”

“Bring some of your carryout menus, and I’ll set them out. Stacy and Kelsey have already been there, but I’m not sure about my other friends.”

“That’s sweet of you. Thanks.”

“Just repaying you for all the referrals you sent me. Now we’re even.”

“That’s not why—”

“I’m just teasing.” But she wasn’t, not really. She wondered if she’d ever be able to let down her guard with him.

“I’ll see you tomorrow at six, then.”

“Okay.”

After they’d hung up, she realized he hadn’t asked for her address. She thought about calling him back but decided not to. He’d probably call or text her later for it. In the meantime, she went back to reading, although she had trouble concentrating.

Every time she turned around, Beck was there. At the salon, the park, on the phone, in her head. She couldn’t seem to escape him, or his family, either. Today Barb had come in to get her hair cut and colored. She’d been friendly and talkative as usual, but she’d kept finding ways to insert Beck into the conversation, and Jenna had become increasingly uncomfortable.

“I’m so happy to have Beckett home. Now my whole family is together again,” she’d said.

Jenna couldn’t share her enthusiasm, though she understood why Barb felt that way.

“Once a mom, always a mom,” Barb said. “You’ll see someday.”

“I don’t know about that,” Jenna replied. “Marriage and children might not be in the cards for me.”

“I used to think that too, but when Jim came along, I changed my tune. Then I had Beckett, and he was such a sweet little boy that it made me want to have another child. And then came Maggie…”

And so it went throughout the appointment. Jenna had smiled, nodded, and occasionally asked questions, but mostly she’d just listened. She’d become an excellent listener and considered it an essential aspect of her job. If clients felt comfortable talking to her, they were apt to come back and refer her to their friends and family like Beck and Maggie had.

“We’d love to have you over for dinner again,” Barb said as Jenna was putting the finishing touches on her hair.

“Oh. Well, thank you,” Jenna replied noncommittally.

“I was thinking of inviting the rest of your family too. It’s been so long since I’ve seen your parents and Stacy.”

Jenna stiffened. She’d been trying to keep Beck at bay and hadn’t wanted this to become a family affair. It was like she was in high school all over again, but she wasn’t, and she had the crow’s feet to prove it!

Before she could reply, Lexie’s voice came over the speaker. “Jenna, your next client is here. Jenna.”

“I know you’re busy, so I won’t take up any more of your time,” Barb said.

Jenna handed Barb her eyeglasses, and Barb slipped them back on. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she did a doubletake.

“Ohmigod! Is that really me?”