The Liar

“I will, but I don’t want to show him with the idea he’d feel obliged to—”

“Show him,” Matt interrupted. “We’re a team, and when we make a decision, we both have to be in on it, have to agree. It’s how we work. So I can’t tell you yes until he’s seen them. What I can tell you is when I talk to him about it, after he has, my weight’s on yes.”

“It is? You mean it? You— Wait.” She leaned in. “Look right here,” she said, and pointed to her eyes. “Is this a favor to me?”

“Yeah. I think it’s going to be a favor to all of us.”

“All of us.” She sat back again. “Thank you. I’ll show him. It’s going to take some time for me to get those credentials, work up a business plan, but knowing you’d recommend me takes a weight off.”

“Is there any way you can do a little freelancing now?”

“I haven’t finished the first class yet.”

“Tansy’s driving Derrick around the bend already. Paint samples, cut sheets of light fixtures, flooring samples, more cut sheets. And we just got the footers put in. If you’d work with her, it would give her some direction—she’s got good ideas, but they’re scattershot right now, and mixed in with her ideas for the nursery. And it would give him a breather. He’d owe you.”

“I’d be glad to help her out if she wants.”

“Done. You and Derrick can work out your fee.”

“Oh, I’m not going to charge them for—”

With a shake of his head, he handed her back the phone. “That’s not a good business plan.”

She huffed out a breath. “It’s not, is it?”

“Do you know how many friends, relatives, casual acquaintances and complete strangers wanted me and/or Griff to build their deck, paint their house, re-lay tile, gut their kitchen when we were starting out?”

“No.”

“Me either because there were too many to count. Take the advice of someone who’s been there, done that, and don’t go down that road. If Tansy wants to get your opinion on cribs or paint for the nursery, pal-to-pal, that’s one thing. This is expanding their business. You’ll earn your fee.”

“All right, if they want me.”

“I’ll give Derrick a call. If he’s interested, he’ll let you know. I’ve got to get going.”

“Me, too.” She rose with him. “Mama picked up Callie, but they’re going to be wondering where I am by now. Thank you, Matt.” She hugged him, gave him an extra squeeze. “You save a dance for me Saturday night.”

“Absolutely. Show Griff those class projects,” he repeated.

“I will, first chance.”

She went back in. There were some customers still—a couple of women using the Relaxation Room after their treatment, a couple more who’d come in for hair after their own workday.

But Shelby’s workday was done.

She got her purse, said her goodbyes, then stepped out the door.

And unexpectedly into Griff’s arms.

The kiss caught her off guard, which may have accounted for her head going giddy.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi.”

“I saw your van, so I was coming in to hunt you up.”

“I was just . . .” The giddiness cleared when she spotted Crystal, her customer and the shampoo girl who’d stayed late to sweep up, all with their faces pressed to the front window.

Crystal just flapped a hand at her heart when Shelby made shooing motions.

“We’re this evening’s first performance.”

Griff only grinned, waved to the women as Shelby tugged him toward her van. “Working late?”

“Actually, I needed to talk to Granny, then I had a little rendezvous with Matt.”

“A rendezvous in the Ridge. Do I have to go punch him?”

“Not this time. You know, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about, and some things I’d like to show you.”

“About the big party?”

“Not altogether. Why don’t you come home with me, come on to supper? Mama and Daddy would be pleased to see you. And Callie would be thrilled.”

“Three redheads, a doctor and a free meal. I’d be crazy to say no.” Still he looked down at his grubby T-shirt, dusty jeans. “But there was dirty work to be done today, and I haven’t gotten home to clean up.”

“You can wash up at the house, and we’ll eat outside. We tend to in this kind of weather.”

“Then I’m right behind you.”

“I’ll just let Mama know you’re coming, so she doesn’t get caught without her lipstick.” Even as she reached for her phone, it signaled a text.

“Your mama?” Griff asked as she read.

“No. From Derrick.”

It said only: Yes, please yes. Save me from decorating hell.

“Something we’ll talk about.” She walked to the driver’s door. “What’re you still doing in town?”

“It looks like I was waiting for you.”

It made her smile. The whole damn day made her smile.

•   •   •

THE BURLY SUV drove slowly by as she got into the van. She didn’t so much as glance over, but probably wouldn’t have recognized the driver.

He’d changed his look again.

As she drove toward home, he drove up into the hills.

He knew what he planned to do, and when, and it pleased him to know what had started in Miami was nearly over.

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