Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Maybe.”
“And you’ve been saying you needed a pair of new boots. Your sister could use a new pair, too.”
“New pair of what?” Samantha asked as she strolled into the kitchen.
“Boots and any other clothes you might need. I was thinking your dad could take you to do some shopping.” I’d already spent a small fortune on their back-to-school clothes. It was only fair for Chad to pitch in with their fall clothes, so I told her, “You really need a jacket and maybe a couple of new hoodies, too.”
“I don’t like shopping with Dad,” Samantha whined. “He’s always fussin’ about how much stuff costs.”
“Well, things are expensive these days, especially when you’re buying for two growing kids.” I poured them each a glass of juice and carried it over to the table. “Regardless, it will give you a chance to spend some time with him.”
Neither of them responded. They just gave me one of their ‘whatever you say, Mom’ looks and started eating their breakfast. I watched them for a moment and couldn’t help but smile. They’d grown up so fast. Nathan was twelve and was growing taller by the second. He had a long, lean frame and a boyish charm that came and went depending on the day of the week.
He and his sister both had thick, curly chestnut-brown hair and the cutest little freckles on the bridge of their noses. Samantha had just turned eleven and had a similar slim build to her brother, albeit a good bit shorter, and her bright, inquisitive eyes were a shade lighter, revealing an innocence that matched her age. They were my heart and soul, and I couldn’t imagine loving them more.
I thought it might help for them to have something to look forward to, so I suggested, “We could grill out on Sunday when you get home and have a movie night?”
“Yeah, that’d be good.” Nathan stood and carried his bowl to the sink. “Hurry up, turd-head, or we’re gonna miss the bus.”
Samantha sighed dramatically, rolled her eyes, and grumbled as she picked up her bowl of cereal and took it over to the sink. “Today is going to be a long day.”
“But it’s Friday.” I stepped over to her and kissed her on the forehead. “You have a whole weekend to look forward to.”
“Yeah, I guess.” She forced a smile and started out of the kitchen. “I love you, Momma.”
“Love you, too, sweetie.”
Samantha grabbed her backpack from the floor and then darted outside to catch up with her brother. Once they’d gotten on the bus, I rushed to my bedroom and changed clothes. It was going to be a busy day at the salon, so I decided to wear my favorite pair of joggers and my tennis shoes. I took a second to fix my hair and makeup before darting out the door.
After a quick stop for coffee, I pulled into the salon’s parking lot and headed towards the building. I unlocked the door, and as soon as I stepped inside, I was hit with the familiar scent of lavender mixed with vanilla. I inhaled a deep breath as I closed the door and made my way over to my station.
There wasn’t much to the place, but it was mine and I was pleased with the latest renovations. Where it was once cold and modern, it now had a rustic charm with comfy sofas, cedar beams across the ceiling, and large, welcoming windows that let the light filter through.
I loved all the earthy tones, exposed wood, and vintage barber chairs, but most of all, I loved the fact that my best friends, Keeley and Ryan, worked there with me. We’d met at cosmetology school, and even though they were both much younger, we’d hit it off from the very start.
As usual, I was the first one there, but I liked having a moment to myself. I used the time to sip on my coffee and mentally prepare, and with the day I had ahead, I was going to need it. I was organizing my station when the front door chimed, and Keeley stormed inside.
The normally bubbly red-headed bombshell didn’t say a word as she went over to the sofa and plopped down with a pitiful sigh. Her eyes were puffy, and her cheeks were bright pink, and her bottom lip was quivering. There was clearly something wrong, so I rushed over and sat down next to her. “Hey, are you okay?”
“No, I’m not.” She cleared her throat. “Far from it.”
“What’s going on?”
“Brandon is what’s going on.”
“What do you mean? What happened?”
“We broke up last night.”
“What?” I gasped. “But I thought things were going so good between you two.”
“I did, too.” She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes. “But apparently, things have been going even better with his ex.”