Page 7 of Second Time Around

Maggie nodded.

“Okay. Let’s get your hair washed, and I’ll get started.”

As Maggie followed Jenna to the row of sinks at the back of the salon, she said, “You look just like I remember, only prettier.”

Had Beck put her up to this? “Thank you, but I’ve acquired a few wrinkles since then.”

“Where? I don’t see any.”

“Right here, by my eyes,” Jenna said and pointed to the corners. Why do women always point out their flaws to each other?

“Those are just laugh lines.”

Spy or not, Maggie sure was good for Jenna’s ego.

Usually, Jenna had an assistant wash her clients’ hair, but they were shorthanded today, so she did it herself. As she massaged the rich shampoo into Maggie’s scalp, she sighed.

“Mmm,” Maggie said with her eyes closed. The magic was already working, and she was like putty in Jenna’s hands.

While Jenna rinsed out the shampoo, she struggled for something to say. Just about everything she thought of would lead to Beck, and she didn’t want to go there, not with his sister or anyone else.

“My mom said she ran into your mom at the grocery store,” Maggie said, breaking the silence.

“She told me. I was sorry to hear about your mom’s cancer.”

“The doctor thinks he got it all. I just hope it doesn’t come back.”

“Is that why Beck moved home?” The question tumbled out before Jenna had a chance to censor herself.

“Yes, although my parents tried to talk him out of it. My mom didn’t want him uprooting his life for her. Personally, I’m glad he moved back. I missed him.”

Not me. “I can imagine.”

“I visited him in Chicago a few times, but he was always so busy that we hardly spent any time together.”

“Um-hmm.”

As Jenna applied conditioner, Maggie continued without any prompting. “I’m also glad he broke up with his girlfriend, Cassie. Well, ex-girlfriend now.”

Of course he’d had a girlfriend. Beck was young, single, and good looking. Why wouldn’t he? Still, Jenna tried not to sound overly curious when she said, “You didn’t care for her?”

“That’s putting it nicely.”

“What was wrong with her?”

“She’s one of those money-grubbing, social-climber types. She cared more about his bank account than anything else.”

Jenna rinsed out the conditioner and scolded herself for asking so many questions. Then her mouth opened, and out flew another one.

“Were they together a long time?”

“A few years, on and off. I knew they wouldn’t end up together, but I think she was hoping for a ring.”

Jenna knew the type, and she formed an instant disdain for the woman. “Why do you think he stayed with her so long?”

“Who knows? Habit, her looks, sex. Oops. Did I say that too loud?” Maggie tried turning her head, but it was tightly wedged in the hair-washing bowl.

The hairstylist two sinks down looked like she was suppressing a laugh. “No. I don’t think anyone heard,” Jenna fibbed. Then she wrapped Maggie’s hair in a towel and said, “You can sit up now.”