Chapter 16
“Nina!”
“What?”
“I need you when you’re done with SJ!” JD called.
“Okay!”
“Should you be shrieking in my ear, seeing as I’m a client?”
“It’s how we communicate, SJ,” Nina said to the woman whose brows now looked spectacular.
“Whatever,” she said with a flick of her blood-red talons.
Nina loved her room here in The Gnat. It was decorated in soft pastel tones, with the wonderful scents of candles and products drifting through the air.
It felt like her own quiet corner of the world.
Every client who sat in her chair left happier and more relaxed than when they’d arrived, and that feeling never got old.
She’d loved this work since her very first client.
Yes, she was going to reduce her hours so she could run Circle Left—along with a manager—but she’d never leave completely. This place was special, and the people here were her family.
“You done yet?”
“Yes. Thanks for your patience,” Nina said.
SJ flicked her fingers again.
“No need for the attitude. I didn’t take any longer than I usually do, SJ. So rein it in.” Nina took off SJ’s cape as she stood.
“Look, I know your mom died, and I’m sorry for it, but don’t take your mood out on me, Nina.”
She was always professional—mostly—at work, but sometimes someone hit a nerve. Now would be one of those times. “Thanks for caring, SJ?” Nina said, her voice heavy with sarcasm
The truth was, they’d never liked each other, and Nina guessed that was because SJ saw her as competition. Which was crazy considering the differences between them. SJ’s boobs were lopsided and her tan fake, but not the natural-looking type. The orange tinge made her look older than she was.
“Fuck you, Nina,” SJ snapped, grabbing the hand mirror to look at her brows. “They’re crooked.”
“Well then, now they match your boobs,” Nina snapped.
SJ snarled, and Nina did the same.
“JD should fire you because you’re shit at your job!” SJ snapped.
“At least I have a job,” Nina snapped back.
If she hadn’t been watching, she wouldn’t have seen the tears that suddenly welled in the other woman’s eyes. Stepping closer, Nina put a hand on her shoulder. “Shit, I’m sorry, SJ.”
“Fuck you,” she said, stepping back. “And if you think Finch McAllister could be interested in someone as scrawny as you, think again.” After those words, SJ ran from the room.
Nina tidied away her things, cursing herself for speaking like she had, even if SJ deserved it. She may not like the woman very much, but she was a local. Maybe she’d talk to Libby because she seemed to get along well with her.
Did SJ like Finch? Was that why she’d said what she had?
Memories of the night they’d had together were never far away. She’d fallen asleep after amazing sex, using his warm, hard body as a mattress, and woke to find him gone.
Nina could get used to being with that man. No, absolutely not. He had more baggage than she did, and between them, they’d need a full-time therapist.
She left her room, passing the door to reception. Birdie was sitting behind the counter wearing a Christmas headband with sparkles all over it.
“What are you doing here?”
“Penny is sick today, so I’m filling in. You have Jonathan next. He’s having the works.”
“Okay. He should be good for a laugh.”
“How’s Finch doing, Birdie?” Birdie was her friend, so she could ask the question, besides she really wanted to know.
“It’s hard to say because the man is closed up tighter than Fort Knox. But Blue and I both think he’s better.”
“It will take time to adjust to the changes in his life,” Nina said.
“He needs something to focus on. Some kind of project, or a woman.”
The shock she felt at those words didn’t show on her face, thankfully. “You sound like his mother.”
Birdie laughed. “You’ve met my mother. She wouldn’t speak like that, and maybe that came out wrong—”
“Not sure how it can come out right, to be honest with you, Birdie. Your brother’s life has had one hell of a shake-up. Maybe let him figure out the next steps,” Nina said, then wished she hadn’t as Birdie studied her intently.
“Do you care about my brother, Nina?”
“What? Absolutely not. I mean, he’s a friend, but nothing more than that.” Did she sound panicky? “Look, I get you love him, Birdie, and want him to be happy, but he’ll figure it out,” she added quickly.
“Nina!”
“All right, keep your Turnbull my name was changed legally by Mom when I was three.”
“Why?” Cill demanded.
“For her safety and mine,” Nina said. “My father, who I thought was dead, isn’t. He’s a drug smuggler and had been in prison since Mom left him, but he recently got out.”
It wasn’t often that this particular group—minus Sawyer—was silent, but she’d just done it.
Jonathan broke first. “If someone told me this was the plot to a movie, I’d say it’s not realistic. But shit, girl.”
Finch didn’t speak but moved to the rear of the group and leaned on the wall to stare at Nina in that way that made her feel hot all over.
Sawyer whistled softly.
“I always thought there was something a bit shady about you,” JD said.
“Amen,” Cill added.
And then the interrogation started.