Page 106 of Hello Heartbreaker

Rhett and I looked at each other, only laughing harder.

Rhett called out, “She loves me!” He squeezed me to his side and added, “And I love her too.”

* * *

Rhonda stoodoff to the side as I fixed Rhett’s hair. I cut it short to match the path I’d swathed with the clippers. “I’msoglad she’s fixing that for you,” Rhonda said.

Rhett grinned. “Me too. Just remind me not to let her near with a straight razor.”

“Ha ha,” I said, turning off the buzzer. “Very funny.” I picked up my scissors, trimming up a few stray hairs.

Rhonda and Rhett laughed like old pals, and Rhonda said, “You know, I remember you walking up and down the sidewalk like a lost puppy, waiting for Miss Maggie to be done with her shift back when you were young.”

Rhett laughed. “I didn’t know I was allowed in if I wasn’t paying for a haircut.”

Rhonda chortled, and I smiled at the memory.

“I didn’t want all the blue-haired ladies trying to steal my boyfriend,” I teased.

“Between him and your dad, they’d be covered,” Rhonda laughed out.

The tips of Rhett’s ears went red, and I had to set down my scissors I was laughing so hard.

Rhonda laughed along with me, and Rhett shook his head. “Y’all have been around these chemicals too long.”

With a wink, Rhonda said, “Maybe just long enough.” The bell over the door rang, and Rhonda went to greet her client while I finished up with Rhett’s hair. I gave him the mirror and spun his chair.

He fussed with his hair, saying, “Would you look at that. The girls aren’t gonna be able to make fun of my hair anymore.”

I laughed. “I’m sure they’ll find something.”

He stood up and set the mirror on the counter, then reached into his pocket for his wallet. Have I mentioned the man can fill out a pair of Wranglers? “How much do I owe you?” he asked.

I winked at him. “I think you paid me last night.”

He tossed his head back laughing, then whispered, “Baby, that was just a tip.”

I laughed too, feeling more carefree than ever.

“When do I see you next?” He looped his hands around my waist. “Will you come to family dinner this week?”

I nodded. “And then we can hang out after the game Friday?”

“That works,” he said. “We’ll have to celebrate crushing the ‘Princess Warriors’ in the championship.”

“You’re pretty snobby about team names for someone who coaches The Unicorns,” I teased.

He shook his head. “Unicorns are magical creatures with sharp, deadly horns. I totally get it.”

I laughed and kissed his lips. “See you later.”

“Love you,” he said back.

“I love you too.”

Rhonda eyed me as he walked out the door, and her client, Mrs. Briggs, said, “I’d steal him from you.”

I laughed. “I’m not letting him get away this time.”

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