Page 21 of Nicole
“In fact, it’s due to the dwindling sea ice that the polar vortex—which is supposed to stay at the north pole, by the way—has split in three places and states like Minnesota are feeling the record-breaking temperatures.”
Drew’s grin continued to spread. Why was he smiling like a fool during my verbal tongue-lashing? And his eyes shouldn’t be twinkling like deuced shooting stars while receiving a clapback!
But his ginger irises kept dancing, as if tapping out a message in Morse code that said, “Got you!”
A joke. He’d deliberately said things he knew would set me off, for what? A reaction? And of course, I and my dramatic self played right into his hands.
All those words on my tongue jumbled into each other, tripping over their own feet in an ungraceful heap. If this was a dance, I didn’t know the choreography.
“Oh, why don’t you…you…grow up all ready!”
I didn’t stay to witness his victorious expression, but Charlotte looked back at me with one of her own when I resumed my position behind her. She mouthedHe likes youand winked.
I ignored her and finished adding the layers to her hair. Picking up the blow dryer, I turned it on with relief. The noise of the motor would drown everyone out. Charlotte and her crazy notions, but especially Drew and his infuriating way of needling me.
Unfortunately, a blowout doesn’t last forever. I returned the small appliance to the shelf and flicked the cape off Charlotte’s front. “Voila.”
She touched her hair. “Looks great. Thanks.”
I followed her to the front and rang her up, then retrieved the broom to clean my station.
“Can I ask you something, Camille?” Drew’s question taunted me to listen.
Say no. Say no.
“Sure.”
I held back a groan.
“How do you help someone loosen up and have more fun?”
My grip tightened on the broom handle.Don’t let him bait you again.
No matter what he said, I wouldn’t respond this time. I’d stay in my own little corner and mind my own little business.
But that resolve didn’t mean I couldn’t argue with him in my mind.
Not that I’m trying to please a man, because I certainlyam not,but if I were, it would be impossible. Too dramatic for Greg and too somber for Drew. Well, excuse me, Greg, for caring about things so deeply, and pardon me, Drew, for having responsibilities and not taking them lightly.
“That’s an interesting question.” The snip of shears punctuated Camille’s reply.
“There’s this person I know who I can’t help but think would enjoy life more if she didn’t take every little thing so seriously.”
Well, life is a serious thing, Drew. We can’t all skip-to-my-Lou-my-darling through it. Some of us have to be actual adults.
“And maybe I shouldn’t let it bother me…” Drew continued.
No, you absolutely shouldn’t. I’m not your concern.
“…but she has a daughter. And while the daughter hasn’t lost all ability to enjoy life, I’ve noticed her mimicking her mother’s somber mien, and I just think kids should be kids. Have fun. Enjoy childhood. Be innocent as long as possible. The world rips that away all too quickly as it is.”
“Have you talked with her about any of this?” Camille asked.
My head rose from the pile of hair I’d collected, and my eyes snapped to Drew’s. “He just did.”
8
Drew
