Tickled Pink

by Debby Mayne

  Didi’s eyes widen, and she does as I say. Her mouth opens a fraction of an inch, but she doesn’t say a word. Instead, she continues watching me as if she thinks I might do somethin’ crazy. Good. That’s where she needs to stay ’til I’m done.

  “You gotta get over yourself, Didi. No one has set out to hurt you but you, yourself.”

  “What?”

  “I think you heard me. The only person who can determine what happens in your life is you. If you keep harpin’ on this Priscilla thang, thinkin’ you have to compete with her for everything, you’ll never be happy. I can guarantee you she’s not givin’ you a second thought, unless it’s pity when she sees you all lovey-dovey with that loser you been engaged to.”

  I can’t believe I just said that, and from the look on Didi’s face, she can’t either. I know I done said too much already, and for some reason I can’t stop.

  “Priscilla has always wanted to be a hairdresser, ever since I can remember. And she did it, even though her mama and daddy thought she was too good for that kind of work. She’s a smart girl—too smart to let her snobby parents bully her into stayin’ in college.”

  “You would say that, being one of her closest friends,” Didi says with a smirk.

  “That’s another thing you got wrong, Didi. I don’t like Priscilla any more than you do, but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect what she’s done with her life.” The instant those words leave my mouth, I wanna crawl into a hole. I never ever told anyone I didn’t like Priscilla, and I’m not even sure that’s true. In fact, now that I think about it, I might be just as jealous of the woman as Didi always has been.

  “So, the truth comes out.” A smile forms on Didi’s lips, and I want to rip it right off. “How would you like to help me bring her down a notch at the reunion?”

  Ten years ago, I might have wanted to participate in somethin’ underhanded to hurt Priscilla, but now that I finally have my life together, I see how pitiful that type of thinkin’ is. “No, Didi. I’m not about to lower myself to be mean to someone just ’cause I’m not happy with my own life. And you need to rethink it too, or you might make yourself even more miserable than you already are . . . if that’s possible.”

  Her chin quivers, and she starts to stand up. But then the sobs hit her, and she falls back down into her chair and slowly curls up with her face in her hands and her elbows in her lap. I stand there lookin’ down at her, knowin’ there’s nothin’ I can do to help.

  20

  Priscilla

  Life is much sweeter, now that I’ve got something to look forward to. After meeting Blair’s little sister who is twelve years younger than she is, I know that I have to do whatever I can to make her life better.

  “Wow.” Mandy looks at me with a smile of amazement. “You really are a new person today. I can’t get over how one visit to the children’s cancer unit has gotten you all excited again.”

  “Those kids really grabbed my heart.” I pause and study Mandy. “Didn’t that affect you?”

  “Well, sort of. I feel sorry for them, but I don’t plan to keep going back.”

  I want to shake Mandy, but that’s only because I’m so fired up over plans to help the children I expect everyone to feel the same way. This isn’t new for me. Back in high school, I got upset that people turned me down when I collected coats and blankets for homeless people. Now I understand that other people might not feel my passion.

  “So when are you visiting them again?” Mandy asks.

  “I’m having all my salons collect hair for Locks of Love.”

  “That’s really nice.” She picks up a piece of paper and hands it to me. “Take a look at this.”

  As I read it, I’m impressed by how quickly she acted. “You wrote a press release about it. Thank you so much, Mandy.”

  “It’s the least I could do since it’s so important to you . . . and Blair.”

  “You really like her, don’t you?”

  Mandy nods. “Yes, she’s been the best of all the people I’ve ever hired. She’s never given me attitude about anything.”

  “Good. We need to do whatever we can to keep her happy working here.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot something. You have an appointment with some equipment rep who says he can save us a bunch of money on electricity with his line of dryers and tools.”

  “Do I have time to grab some breakfast?”

  “Not unless you can eat it in the next fifteen minutes. He wanted to come next week, but since you’ll be in Piney Point, I worked him in this morning.”

  As if on cue, Mandy’s phone lights up. She grabs the phone, answers it, and says, “She’ll be right out.” Mandy hangs up the phone and nods toward the door. “Looks like he’s here early.”

  I open Mandy’s office door expecting your run-of-the-mill beauty supply salesman but find myself speechless when I come face-to-face with the best-looking man I’ve ever laid eyes on. Fortunately, I’ve worked hard at maintaining my composure in all circumstances, and being on air has given me the acting experience, so I recover quickly and smile. “You must be the equipment salesman who couldn’t wait until I got back from my trip.”

  He grins as he takes my extended hand in both of his. “And you must be the most gorgeous beauty salon chain owner I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I’m thrilled to finally meet you.” Oh, he’s slick. He pulls a card from his pocket and hands it to me. “My name is Rick Crenshaw, and I have a line of products that every salon needs.”

  “And why do you say that, Rick?” I gesture toward the hall leading to my office.

  He nods. “I’ll follow you.”

  I lead him to my tiny office and go around behind my desk to put some space between us . . . and to keep some authority in the situation. The last thing I need is for him to think he has any sort of power over me. I wipe my hands on the sides of my pants as discreetly as possible.

  We start out discussing the equipment currently in our salons, and he shows me some examples of the line that he created. The more he talks about how efficient his line is, the more impressed I am. He clearly understands both the aesthetic and the business sides of the industry.

  “So why did you choose to target the beauty industry with your product line?” I fold my hands on my desk and hold his gaze . . . and my breath.

  “Excellent question, and you’re not the first to ask. My mother and aunt both own salons, and they constantly complained about the cost of power continuing to rise and eating into their profits. I’d been working as an electrical engineer, and I hated my job, so I decided to come up with something that would help them and the thousands of other salon owners in the country.” He flashes a smile full of not-quite-straight-but-very-white teeth, making me internally swoon. It’s been a long time since I’ve had this kind of reaction over a man.

  The more he talks the more I want to hear. I ask as many questions as I think I can get away with and not be too obvious . . . or desperate. Although I’ve seen a similar product line, his presentation is fresh and intriguing.

  Mandy buzzes my phone to let me know my next appointment has arrived. I hate that I have to end this meeting, but it’s probably for the best anyway, since I’m not sure if I have enough self-restraint to hold back making a fool of myself.

  He packs up his products and takes a step toward the door, then stops. I almost bump into him, and we both laugh.

  “I hate to be presumptuous, but would you care to have dinner with me sometime soon?”

  My face flames with excitement, so I avert my gaze to something behind him. He turns to see what I’m looking at, and I clear my throat. “I would love to.”

  “Since you have another appointment, I’ll call you later this afternoon to make plans.”

  I nod. “Okay. I’ll be in afternoon meetings until around four.”

  “Will you be free after that?” I’m afraid if he keeps gazing at me like this, he might melt my toenail polish.

  “Unless something comes up, I should be.”<
br />
  “Why don’t we plan on dinner tonight? I can pick you up here or meet you wherever you’d like to go.”

  “Tonight?” My voice comes out in a squeak, so I clear my throat again.

  “I hope you’re not coming down with something. You’re such a busy woman.”

  “I’m fine. Why don’t we meet at Lorenzo’s?” When he gives me a blank look, I add, “It’s a steak and seafood restaurant about three blocks from here.”

  “Oh, I think I passed it. How’s seven?”

  “Perfect. We’ll need a reservation. Would you like me to call and make one?”

  “Yes, if you don’t mind. See you there at seven unless I hear otherwise.”

  Once he’s gone, Mandy runs back to my office and closes the door behind herself. “That man is so hot.”

  My lips are dry, so I lick them and look down at my desk as I sit. “Yes, he is rather attractive.”

  “Priscilla, I know you like him. Otherwise, why would you accept a dinner date?” She narrows her gaze. “And don’t tell me it’s only about business.”

  “What else would it be?” I challenge her with lifted eyebrows and a half-grin.

  She giggles as she walks out of my office. “I’ll send your next appointment on back . . . and I’ll call Lorenzo’s to book your reservation.”

  The day drags on, and it seems like forever before time to meet Rick at Lorenzo’s. A few times during the afternoon I’ve been tempted to call and cancel. I don’t know this guy, so my reaction scares me. Mandy keeps looking at me and cracking up laughing.

  I arrive at Lorenzo’s, super excited but half hoping Rick doesn’t show up so I can slink back to my comfort zone. The doorman opens the heavy wooden door, and there stands Rick, an expectant expression on his face, looking even better than I remembered from this morning.

  We both start talking at the same time, until the maître d’ makes a sound to get our attention. Rick places his hand on the small of my back, and we follow the man to our table.

  Throughout dinner, I find myself falling faster and faster into that hole of infatuation—deeper than the one I was in for Maurice. Rick sure does know how to hold my attention.

  “So what are your passions?” He props his elbows on the table, folds his hands, and waits for me to answer, never once taking his gaze off mine.

  “Until recently, my biggest passion was building my business and getting established on TVNS. Now that I’ve managed to do that, I’m starting to look outside myself.”

  “That’s always a good thing to do.” He leans back. “Especially since everything you’ve concentrated on in the past is business related.”

  “I know, and now that I look back, I realize how impersonal my goals were.” I make an apologetic face. “Then I met Blair’s little sister, and she totally won my heart.” I tell him the story about going to the children’s cancer unit at the hospital and how I plan to do whatever I can to help them. “How about you? What are your passions?”

  “Well, I’m a southern boy, so college football is one of them. I’m not much for hunting, but I’ve been known to drown a few worms at my dad’s favorite fishing hole.”

  “You sound like a man’s man.”

  He tips his head to one side and takes my hand. “Maybe I am, but I sure do appreciate a beautiful, fun, smart, witty woman.”

  I force myself to look down and try not to let him see me sigh.

  21

  Trudy

  Hey, Trudy.”

  I glance up and see Darryl Conrad, the man who’s been living at the other end of my building for the past year and a half while his house is being built. He once told me he’s waited long enough to find the woman of his dreams, and since the Lord hasn’t seen fit to bring her to him yet, he’s moving on with his life. I totally get that.

  “Hey, Darryl.” I slam my car door shut and start walking toward the apartment building

  “Haven’t seen you around much lately. Been workin’ hard?”

  “Always.” I stop, shield my eyes from the late afternoon sun, and smile at him. Darryl’s not a bad-looking man, but I wouldn’t call him handsome either. He’s definitely not someone I’d notice in a crowded room.

  “Be careful about that, or you’ll look back and wonder where your life went.”

  His smile is warm and genuine. I suspect he was one of those guys in high school who made good grades, joined a club or two, and otherwise flew under the radar. Girls like I was back then wouldn’t have given him the time of day. Such a pity. I get an idea.

  “Hey, Darryl, whatcha doin’ for supper?”

  “I haven’t thought that far into the future yet.” He laughs. “Why? What are you doing?”

  “Thinkin’ about going out for Mexican food.”

  He takes a step toward me. “Care to have company?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  “Have you tried that new place, Casa Enchilada’s?”

  I giggle. “I was there the night they opened. It’s good.”

  “Wanna go there?”

  “Of course. Let’s go early, and maybe we’ll have time to walk off some of the calories afterward.”

  “Great idea!” He points to his apartment. “I’m going to change into some jeans first.”

  “See ya back here in about fifteen minutes?”

  “It’s a date.” His stride quickens, and in a matter of seconds, he’s disappeared inside the building.

  As I get ready, I realize this actually is a date—something I haven’t had in months. Last time I went out with a man, he bored me to tears with his techie talk, and I swore off men—at least for a while. Seems like the good-looking guys think about themselves too much, but the geeky ones speak a language that might as well be Martian as far as I’m concerned. The only tech stuff I want to know about is what I have to use on the job. I can text message on my phone, but I don’t wanna know how it works. All I care about is whether or not the person received it.

  Darryl’s waiting for me when I go back outside. “I’ll drive,” he says. He looks me up and down. “Lookin’ good, Trudy.” He laughs softly as though he just thought of a private joke. “But then you always do.”

  “Thank you.” He jumps in front of me and opens the passenger door, something not many guys seem to be doing these days. I like it.

  As he drives to Casa Enchilada, we chatter nonstop about everything under the sun. I’m comfortable around Darryl, and it appears he feels the same way about me, which is rather unusual, if I must say so myself. I mean, being a former beauty queen has its drawbacks, and one of them is that men seem to be intimidated by the way I look, even now with these thunder thighs.

  I study his profile and wonder why I’ve never noticed his great cheekbones and his strong chin. “So how’s the house coming along?”

  “We had a slight weather delay, but we’re back on track. Wanna see it sometime?”

  “I’d love to!”

  Once inside the restaurant, the server brings us some chips and salsa. “Our special tonight is a spinach enchilada platter with rice and beans.”

  Darryl nods toward me. “Ladies first.”

  “The spinach enchilada sounds good. I’ll have that.”

  “Ditto.” Darryl folds his hands on the table. “That was easy enough.”

  “I know.” Everything is easy with Darryl—conversation, laughter, and just bein’ with him.

  Throughout the meal, he never once looks at me like I’ve lost my mind—even when I polish off the last bit of rice and scrape the sauce from the enchilada with one of the chips. These days, I have no self-control when I eat certain types of foods, and Mexican is one of them.

  Darryl gently pushes my hand away when I reach for the bill. “My treat.”

  “But I asked you.”

  “Yes, I know, but that’s only because I hadn’t gotten around to asking you first.”

  He’s such a sweetheart. “Okay, but next time is my treat.”

  Our gazes lock, and I fe
el a tiny flicker in my chest. That’s when it hits me. I’m really attracted to Darryl, and I want to spend more time with him.

  “So where would you like to go for our walk?” He turns the key in the ignition.

  “What are my choices?”

  “We could go back to the apartment complex and walk around there, or we could go to the mall.”

  I smile at him. “I work at the mall, so nix that idea.”

  He shrugs. “Apartment complex it is then . . . unless you have a better idea.”

  At this moment it doesn’t matter a hill of beans where we are, as long as I’m with Darryl. I haven’t felt like this since me and Michael were an item.

  I put my purse in my apartment, stuff the key into my pocket, and join Darryl back outside. “Couldn’t be a better night for walking.”

  We walk and talk about whatever pops into our minds. And we laugh at things I ordinarily wouldn’t think are funny. I want this evening to last forever, and if my intuition is as good as it always has been, Darryl feels the same way.

  After we round the tennis courts and start back, he stops, takes me by the hand, and turns me around to face him. “Are you dating anyone, Trudy?”

  “No.” My heart hammers as he takes my other hand and looks down at me with gentle eyes. “Are you?”

  “Not until now.” We continue lookin’ at each other, until he pulls me close. “I like you, Trudy. You’re fun and very sweet and super smart. Most pretty girls lack one of those.”

  I laugh. It sure does feel nice to hear those words. “I hope I don’t disappoint you.”

  “I don’t think you will.” He lets go of my hands, cups my face, and drops a brief kiss on my lips. “We need to start talking about what to do on our next date.”

  I suggest a movie, but he says that’s not a good idea so early in our relationship since we can’t talk and get to know each other better. “How about skating?” I’m half kidding, thinkin’ there’s no way he’ll wanna do that.