Page 63 of Small Town Firsts

Azalea and I are sitting in the waiting area when there’s a light knock at the front door. “Come on in, it’s open,” AzzyJo calls out, and ever so slowly, the door opens.

I’m pretty sure we’re both struck dumb when Magnolia steps through the threshold. With her sun-kissed skin, dirty blonde hair, and dazzling baby blues, she’s out of this world beautiful. Like, I’m talking highest-paid, Fashion Week runway model pretty.

“H–hi, I’m M–Magnolia,” she says with her eyes glued to her feet.

Azalea and I exchange glances, not knowing quite what to make of her. I think we were both expecting Magnolia to be a mirror of Seraphine when it turns out they couldn’t possibly be more opposite.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Azalea,” she says as she extends her hand toward Magnolia, causing her to jump back. Her cheeks pinken and her eyes dart around the room, seemingly embarrassed by her reaction.

“And I’m Myla Rose. Have a seat. We’re so glad you’re here.” I gesture to the waiting area, trying my damndest to make her feel welcome and at ease. My gut, coupled with her mannerisms, tells me she’s as skittish as a foal and that we need to go slow with her.

Magnolia lingers on the welcome mat for just a moment before lowering herself into the nearest chair. “S–sorry, I’m not normally such a mess.” She lets out a humorless laugh. “At least not this much of a mess.”

“Hey, no problem. Nerves get the better of us all from time to time. Just ask Azalea over there about the time she almost peed her pants because Drake Collins laughed at one of her jokes.”

With an eye roll, Azalea scoffs. “Shut up, Myles! Jesus, I was like fifteen. Move on already.”

“No way, no how. Never gonna happen.” I turn my back on a sulking Azalea and focus my attention on the dark blonde beauty. “So, Magnolia, what brought you to Dogwood?”

She fidgets in her seat, ruminating on her answer. “Um . . . I needed a change. Badly. And with Seraphine and Uncle Dave being here, it just seemed right.”

“Well, it’s a great place, that’s for sure. We’re both lifers,” Azalea tells her with a saucy grin. “So, how long have you been doing hair?”

“Six years. But I took the last two off, so I guess four.”

“Two years off? Wow, how come?” Azalea asks.

I swear, that girl is clueless sometimes. “Ignore her, Mags. Can I call you Mags?”

“Oh, um, I mean . . . if you want?”

“No way, girl,if you want. Think on it.” The more we chat, the more relaxed Magnolia becomes. Eventually, her posture loosens, and while she’s not cracking any jokes, she’s certainly laughing at ours.

“So, let’s take a look at the salon, and we’ll show you your station,” I tell her as Azalea helps me to stand.

“Oh, I’m h–hired?”

We both look at her blankly and in unison say, “Well, duh.”

After a quick tour, she thanks us profusely and tells us she’ll get moved in this week. We wait until we see her drive away before squealing like lunatics, because even though she’s shy, she’s a perfect fit. The calm to our crazy.

CHAPTER 34

MYLA ROSE

I swear,since Sunday, I’ve been walking around on a Cash Carson high. But now that I haven’t seen him since, I’m crashing and heading into withdrawals.

That man is so far under my skin that he’s my first thought every morning and my last every night. I literally fall asleep to his voice and wake up to a sweet text.

A girl could get used to this, that’s for damn sure. With that said, insanely busy or not, I need to see him. Need to feel him. Touch him. Taste him.

It’s eleven o’clock in the morning, and I’ve already done three colors and two cuts. I’m dead standing and nowhere near finished, thanks to the fact that I’ve had to sprinkle my Friday clients throughout the rest of the week to accommodate my twenty-week appointment. I’m way overbooked.

Once the last of the hair on the floor is swept up, I take refuge in the dispensary. I have twenty minutes before my next client, and as hungry as I am, my exhaustion is winning. I plan to sit here until I absolutely have to move.

I swear, no one ever talks about the downsides of pregnancy . . . bloating, fatigue, swelling, and I’m only halfway!

I quickly tap out a text to Cash, just to sayHi, before laying my head on the table. My body is slowly relaxing, and I’m on the verge of a really great nap when that oh-so-yummy citrus scent invades my senses.

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