Page 8 of Second Time Around

She was still hung up on the word “sex” as she led Maggie back to her station. She and Beck had had some heavy-duty make-out sessions when they’d been together, but they hadn’t had sex. She’d intended to change her virgin status with him, but then prom night had happened. It had been one of the worst nights of her life.

“Anyway, I’m glad she’s out of his life now,” Maggie said. “What about you? Anyone special in your life?”

Jenna had turned away to pull a styling product out of the drawer. When she faced Maggie again, she tried not to look suspicious, even though she was.

Maggie must have noticed, because she said, “That was too personal, wasn’t it?”

“I’m not used to clients asking me about my love life.” Love life was a stretch. Sex life was more accurate, but Maggie didn’t need to know that.

“Sorry. I feel like I still know you, even though it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”

She looked and sounded so sincere that Jenna softened. “I’m not dating anybody special right now,” she said and left it at that.

Then she turned her attention to trimming and styling Maggie’s hair, which was what she was being paid to do. Thankfully, Maggie didn’t ask any follow-up questions, although she studied Jenna intently in the mirror.

Would she go home and tell Beck that Jenna was available? Would he care? Was he still “carrying a torch for her,” to borrow her mom’s oft-used phrase? It sounded like he’d been hung up on the woman from Chicago whether Maggie liked it or not. Since Chicago wasn’t that far away, they could still see each other if they wanted to.

Why am I even thinking about this?!

She was glad when it was time to blow-dry Maggie’s hair, since it prevented them from talking. Maggie closed her eyes like she had in the shampoo chair. At least one of us is relaxed, thought Jenna.

After she’d finished drying, she squirted another product into her hands, rubbed them together, and then applied it to Maggie’s hair. “You can open your eyes now.”

Maggie cracked open her eyes and inspected herself in the mirror. “Ohmigod. You’re a miracle worker!” she exclaimed.

Crystal, who was applying highlights to a client in the next chair, said, “She is, isn’t she?”

Maggie nodded and tousled her new, beachy waves. “Wait until everybody sees. Before you know it, my whole family will be coming to you.”

Not Beck. Please, not Beck. “I’m glad you like it,” Jenna said. Just don’t like it enough to send Beck!