Page 19 of No Place Like Home (Orlinda Valley #3)

I yanked her head back in a straight line. “Don’t move your head and you need to be extra good. You’ve already pissed me off.”

“Yeah,” Lilly winced. “You’ve made that clear, but I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I held her eyes in the mirror. “You and Jamison had a conversation about me and Rowan in front of some nosy little girls, and one of them came in and told everyone in the salon about that discussion.”

Lilly pinched her lips together and raised her brows. “Actually, it wasn’t me talking about it. It was Jamison, so you don’t need to take it out on my scalp.”

“Technicalities.” I said, anger receding.

I would take it up with Jamison, but for now I got to work.

After her trim we played with different styles.

She had shoulder length hair, so I pulled all of it into a French twist with some wisps framing her face, then tried an updo with some curls on top and ringlets on each side.

“Lilly, that’s perfect,” Kaye said. “You look stunning. ”

Tonya, Kaye, Diane, and the other two ladies in the salon came to gawk at the finished look.

“You sure do,” Diane agreed. “Jamison is going to be speechless when he sets his eyes on you, and wish he was the one getting married.”

“Summer, you always pull off miracles,” Tonya said. “It still amazes me you’re so good at hair.”

My hands dropped to Lilly’s shoulders, and I glared at Tonya. “Tonya, you know what? I don’t know if that’s a jab at my styling skills, or at Lilly.”

“Why would I be saying anything about Lilly? She’s beautiful and will make me a perfect daughter-in-law, hopefully soon.”

“So, then you’re saying . . .”

“Both of you, just stop.” Rowan stepped between us. “Mom, Summer’s been doing hair here since she was nineteen, and you know she’s good at what she does. She’s good at anything she does.”

“Oh yeah, Rowan? What else is she good at?” Lilly asked with a laugh.

All the women looked between each other, then Rowan, and me, eyes wide with speculation.

“Is there something going on here?” Kaye asked, pointing between us.

“No, Kaye. Rowan and Summer? That’s not possible.” Tonya’s eyes bulged in the brief silence. “Is it?”

“What the fuck?” I said.

“Ooh, bad word,” Darcie piped up. “Summer owes me a dollar.”

“Hit up your grandma. She’s the one who caused it. ”

“Everyone, enough,” Rowan said. “Come get some pizza before it gets cold.” He grabbed Darcie’s hand and led her away. “And you need to stop being in everyone’s business.”

We followed them into the kitchen. I took a slice of pizza and leaned against the counter.

Lilly looked up from her phone. “Summer, are you busy tomorrow? Kora needs something picked up.”

“Why me? Isn’t there anyone else?” I asked. “I have things to do tomorrow.”

“Darlene and Kora are working, and I have classes all day. So, no. There isn’t anyone else. Can’t you reschedule your appointments? She needs you.”

Lilly suddenly puffed out her lower lip and pouted.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Do you want Kora’s wedding to be a complete disaster?”

That sounded like something Kora would say. “Did Kora tell you to pout if you thought I wouldn’t do it?”

Lilly shrugged. “Maybe. Will you do it, for Kora? Please? Will you?”

“Summer,” Tonya said. “I’ll go with you. Someone has to make sure you don’t forget anything.”

“Great. Just what I need. You to bug the shit out of me the entire day.”

“Someone’s gotta keep you focused.”

“And the best person for that job is you?”

Tonya shrugged and raised her brow.

“Well, I think it would do you two good,” Lilly said.

“How sweet. My two favorite women hanging out all day,” Rowan said as he pushed lightly into me .

I slowly turned my head toward him and rolled my eyes.

“It is sweet,” Lilly said, “and Rowan can go with you, to keep you both from killing each other.” She stood and pushed herself between the two of us and draped her arms over our shoulders. “My boyfriend’s favorite brother can use his military skills to keep you two, Kora’s favorite aunt—”

“I’m her only aunt,” Tonya snapped.

Lilly ignored her. “And her best friend—”

“I’ve always been good with Darlene holding that position,” I muttered, now annoyed with Kora.

Lilly rolled her eyes. “From killing each other.”

“Seriously? You think that’s possible?” Rowan asked her. “You know that’s a full-time job. I don’t know if I have enough skills to keep that from happening.” He glanced between us. “And what am I supposed to go with them to do, other than keep them from killing each other?”

“Kora wants me to be her errand bitch for the day,” I replied.

“Yeah, and I said I’d go to make sure she doesn’t mess it up. I mean, I have better things to do with my day, but this is important.” Tonya said.

“Mom, as far as I can tell, you never have anything better to do.”

“Exactly, Rowan,” Lilly said. “And that’s why you would be perfect to go with them. As far as I can tell, you don’t have anything better to do either.”

“So, you want me to go so I can be a witness to them killing each other?”

“Well, you are trained in self-defense and protection of your countrymen. I don’t know who else would be a better candidate. ”

Rowan’s gaze caught mine and he raised a brow—and dammit if I didn’t feel the heat go up a couple degrees.

My eyes roamed over his features, already forgetting what we were talking about.

That face, perfect and chiseled . . . those brown eyes, deep as chocolate .

. . those lips, warm, tasty, and so talented . . .

I shook my head to clear all those naughty thoughts before I started drooling—or worse, jumped his bones right here in front of everyone, secrets be damned.

I focused on the conversation. Rowan was going with us. Well, it could be worse. I could be going with Tonya by myself.

“Fine, I’ll reschedule my appointments,” I reluctantly agreed. “It was going to be a quiet day, anyway.” I wiped my fingers on a napkin. “I guess Rowan will help make the afternoon a little less dreary and depressing.”

“Yep, spending time with Summer will be a little less mind-numbing if my youngest is around,” Tonya jabbed.

“Wow. I feel the love.” Rowan’s gaze passed between both of us.

“Mom, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Rowan gave Tonya a hug.

“I’ve got to go. I promised Jamison I’d take Darcie home, and I’m staying there for dinner.

So, Lilly, I’ll let him know you’ll be there soon.

And Summer,” he paused until I looked at him, and even without touching me he set my heart to pounding. “I’ll see you later.”

Hell yeah, he would.