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“Just keep an eye on what styling tool she reaches for Don’t let her pull a Britney Spears on you by using a razor instead of shears”

“Oh h her She dropped the unopened envelope on the dresser and rushed over to her desk to retrieve her purse and the keys to the boutique “To top it off, I’m late”

Liza preceded her to the door “I don’t envy you the afternoon you’re going to have But keep your chin up and don’t let her pull a fast one on you”

Shaking her head, Ginger o and fall for her nephew, didn’t I?”

She locked the door and walked with Liza to the salon

“Hang in there,” her friend said with a supportive hug before she returned to the flower shop

Sucking in a deep breath and shoring up her defenses, a very hesitant Ginger Monroe stepped into the lion’s den

“Well, there you are,” Lydia said as she stowed a broo unit that displayed hair products on sale “I was starting to wonder if you were going to leave my chair empty this afternoon”

“Of course not,” Ginger said “Sorry I’m late I had some…business to take care of”

“Mm-hmm I saw the flowers”

Lydia turned away and Ginger followed her over to the shampoo station

Handing over a button-up smock in daisy yellow, Lydia continued “I suspected that arrangement was for you You don’t see such an ostentatious presentation on our streets every day My nephew has clearly developed extravagant taste”

Ginger had a feeling Lydia wasn’t only referring to the bouquet She said, “I don’t believe he has extravagant taste In fact, he’s very down to earth I just think he likes to make a statement”

She had to fight back the smile that tickled her lips over the beautiful flowers and theinto an ultra-cushy chair in front of one of the sinks, she let Lydia gather up her hair so Ginger could rest her bare neck in the dip in the porcelain Lydia dropped the an to rinse and wash Neither spoke as Lydia finished with the conditioner and rinsed again She wrapped a towel around Ginger’s head and they e any

Ginger noted there were no other customers in the salon, which was odd Lydia had part-time stylists orked the two additional stations, but the wole three or four customers at a time all by herself, she was so handy with her combs, scissors and hair color And she kne to schedule her clients so she could attend to the