Page 27 of Small Town Firsts

Walking into the salon, I head straight for the dispensary, gesturing for Seraphine to tag along. She holds up one long, slender finger to let me know she’ll be a minute. I place the cupcake box down onto the table in front of Azalea, next to the salad she's picking at.

She arches one perfectly sculpted brow as if to say,What the hell, Myla?Huh, guess she didn’t appreciate my hanging up onher earlier. Oops. My smile stretches from ear-to-ear, showing every bit of the amusement I’m feeling.

“Having a good day?” I ask her.

“If you don’t tell me what that baby is right this cotton pickin’ minute, I’ll?—"

“Hush up and open the box,” I tell her, nodding toward where it sits on the table.

Seraphine walks in right as she flips back the lid to reveal a half-dozen cupcakes iced in different shades of blue. Azalea’s eyes are as big as dinner plates between the cupcakes and me.

“Does this mean what I think it means?”

Seraphine peeks over my shoulder into the box before turning to look at me, anxious for my reply.

“Yes, it’s a boy!” I shout. The next thing I know, they both have their arms wrapped snuggly around me, murmuring their congratulations.

“We have to start plannin’ your shower now, Myla Rose!” Azalea insists. “Oh, and we need to get you registered too!” She lets out a loud squeak and gives my shoulders a tight squeeze. “I’m just so excited! I’m getting a nephew! Have you told Drake and Simon?”

Seraphine excuses herself back to the front desk when the salon phone rings. She's young, but a hard worker—and I'm damn sure glad she's a part of my tribe.

“No.” I scoff. “Like I’d be dumb enough to tell anyone before you! I value my life, thank you very much. Plus, I think I want to surprise them. I just need to figure out how.”

“Ooh! Let me think on that. I know we’ll come up with something good. Anyway, Drake said we could have your shower at his house. I won’t tell him it’s a boy or anything, but I’ll go ahead and get with him to start plannin’.”

“You sure y’all can handle that?” I ask her, fighting to conceal my grin. Those two are a hot mess.

“What is that supposed to mean? Are you implyin’ that I’m incapable of handling Drake-freaking-Collins?”

“Oh, I’m sure you’d love to handle him,” I tell her with an impish grin.

“Don’t you start, Myla. I swear to high heavens.” She rolls her eyes as she tosses her cupcake wrapper into the trash.

“Not startin’ a thing, Az. I’m just saying.”

“Yeah? Well, don’t.” She’s smiling though, so I know she isn’t really mad at me. “Call me tonight, and we can talk about everything for your shower, okay?”

“You know I will,” I tell her as we head out to the main area of the salon.

Seraphine is finishing up a call when we hit the reception area. “I’ll talk to the girls, ‘kay, Mags? I’ll let you know in a day or two, I promise,” she says before replacing the phone in its cradle.

I shoot Azalea a quizzical look, which she mirrors right back at me. “Well, ladies, I might have some good news,” Seraphine tells us, and we both wait for her to elaborate. “That was my cousin, and she’s moving to Dogwood soon. Like real soon. Anyway, she was a hairstylist back in South Carolina, and I think she’d be a perfect fit here.” She rips a piece of paper from the notepad in front of her and hands it to Azalea. “I wrote down her info for y’all to look over.”

“Myla, wehaveto call her!” she exclaims.

“Have to? Why?” I question, her excitement surprising me.

“Magnolia. Her name is Magnolia.” And that’s all she needs to say. I don’t even have to meet her to know she belongs here with us. Nodding my head, I tell Azalea to set up an interview with her before heading out. It’s just past lunch time, and the only thing I’ve eaten today is a cupcake. The bean and I need real food, and some chicken salad from Dream Beans sounds like perfection.

CHAPTER 17

CASH

I pullup to the local coffee shop at eleven forty-five on the dot. My meeting with the owner isn’t until noon, but I’m a firm believer that fifteen minutes early is on time, and on time is late.

Not to mention, I want to make a good first impression. Word of mouth is the way of life in small towns. If they like me and my work, they’ll tell their friends.

Stepping inside, I take a look around. My eyes are instantly drawn to the coffee bar. It’s made from what looks to be salvaged barn wood. It’s gorgeous. Continuing my inspection of the place, I’m getting more than a little excited for this job. The owner has a good eye and I’m looking forward to leaving my mark behind with the custom display cabinet they want me to build.

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