“Baylee!” I turn to my childhood best friend. “I wouldn’t charge you, so it’s not fair to charge Abby.”
“What? Her baby daddy is in the NFL. If my boyfriend was in the NFL, I’d pay you too.”
Abby chuckles. “She’s right. I’m sending you money no matter what.”
Smiling, I hold up my hand. “I can’t defend myself against you two.”
We chat a few more minutes, and then Abby and I agree to talk later to figure out how she wants me to customize her jersey.
When we hang up, I sigh. “I love her to pieces, and I’m so happy she and Nick found each other.”
Baylee puts her phone back on the counter. “They’re perfect together.” She finishes brushing out my damp hair. “Back to Rhett. I wanna say this one thing, and then I’ll shut up. I’m psyched y’all are getting along and he’s sexing you up so much that you’re walking funny, but…” She whirls my chair around so that I’m facing her. “I don’t want you to get your heart crushed. Those Walker brothers don’t know what kind of voodoo they wield with their little smirks and tight asses.”
She’s right, and that makes me sad. “I hear what you’re saying, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid, but I want to give this a real chance.”
My best friend’s eyes narrow. “Be sure to tell Rhett that I have a shotgun, and I’m not afraid to use it. Does a man really need two kneecaps? One seems sufficient.”
I laugh and lean over to hug her. “Thank you.”
When I let go, she grabs the hair dye. “Have you had any trouble with the twatwaffle?”
“I’ve made myself scarce when Amber picks up the boys or drops them off. I’m just not sure how long my luck will last.”
The front doorbell rings, and my eyes widen when I see who it is.
Honey McAllister glances around nervously. “Hi. Is it okay that I’m here?”
Wild Heart has invisible lines of loyalty. There are people who are fierce Walker supporters and those who are McAllisterride or die. The whole thing is stupid. It makes nice women like Honey afraid to go to the damn salon.
I wave her in. “Of course.”
She points behind her. “I usually go to Darling Divas, but they had a scheduling conflict.”
Baylee mumbles, “We are starting shit today. I love it.” Then she turns to Honey. “Whatcha need? I might be able to fit you in.”
Honey was a year ahead of us in school. We never really spoke, but I liked that she always seemed friendly, unlike her brothers.
She pulls at the end of her hair. “I need a trim. I’m starting my new teaching job, and I want to look the part.”
I point at the chair next to me. “Grab a seat.”
She gives me a hesitant smile as she sits. “I heard you married Rhett this summer. Congrats.”
“Thank you.”
Putting a hand over her mouth, she whispers, “Don’t tell my brothers, but I had a huge crush on him in high school.”
I laugh. “Girl, join the club.”
She glances at Baylee. “Are you dating Maverick? I always see y’all together.”
“We’re not dating.” My best friend’s lips go flat. “We’veneverdated.”
Honey glances between us. “I’m guessing there’s a story there, but I don’t wanna pry.”
“There’s no story. We’ve always just been friends.” Baylee turns me around in my chair. “Honey, let me get Paige’s color on, and then we can talk about your trim.”
An hour and a half later, my hair is done and Baylee’s blow-drying Honey when the front door opens again. It’s Beau.
