Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 15430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 77(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 77(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
“Of course,” Jude answered as he stood. “Though Snow isn’t terribly fond of weddings.”
“To be fair, I’m not fond of most family gatherings.”
“But I’m excited to see what Ian’s pulled together. He’s worked so hard on the wedding; it’s bound to be beautiful. And Snow looks fantastic in his tux.” Jude waggled his brows.
“I look forward to seeing the pictures. I’ll be asking Ian to bring them in.”
Snow pulled out his wallet and B held up a hand. “I’ve already been paid for today and trust me, I was paid well. Lucas booked me and Cynthia for the entire day.”
Snow still left a wad of cash on his counter. B had to work to school his expression. When he’d said he’d been paid well, he’d meant it. Lucas spoiled him. “Thank you,” was all he said as he watched the surgeon walk up to his fiancé, this time putting his hand on Jude’s back. B could actually feel the electricity between the two men, but it had nothing on the love. They were completely in tune with each other, and it made B’s heart flutter.
As he watched them leave, he thought maybe, just maybe, he was on the verge of something like that for himself.
Chapter Four
B knew without even needing to look up that Rowe Ward was now in the building. It was as if the soothing burble of background noise jumped from a mellow three to a somewhat intense seven. He had a sneaking suspicion it was going to get jacked to eleven before Rowe strolled out again.
Grabbing his paper napkin, B wiped his mouth, then picked up his mostly empty plate. As he’d expected, a special lunch delivery had arrived just as Snow and Jude were walking out the door. The brown paper bags carried into the salon held the most tantalizing scent of barbecue.
Lucas Vallois was spoiling him rotten, and B loved every second of it. Of course, so did his coworkers in the salon—he was lucky to get a sandwich with the creamiest coleslaw and a nice helping of collard greens. Everyone had fallen on the food like a pack of ravenous wolves and then followed up the feasting with complaints of destroyed diets and extra trips to the gym.
B couldn’t argue. It was more food than he normally ate for lunch, but it had been so good and free. A killer combination. Luckily his clients were keeping him running, burning away those extra calories. He’d barely had time to finish his lunch before Rowe’s red head bopped through the front door of the salon, followed by the most adorable dirty blond with shoulder-length curls.
“Oh, my…” Cynthia breathed. “They just keep getting sexier. Which one is Rowe?”
“The redhead with the wicked smirk,” B said. “The other must be his boyfriend.”
B had cut Rowe’s hair only once, before Lucas’s wedding. It had been the one time Lucas and Andrei didn’t have their appointments at the same time. Rowe and Andrei had come in together at Lucas’s request. It was as if they hadn’t trusted Rowe to make his appointment. At the time, Rowe had complained that his boyfriend was stuck on a job.
Now B was getting the chance to meet the infamous Noah Keegan.
“Ward,” B greeted with narrowed eyes. “I’m impressed you’re on time.”
Rowe flashed him what had to be his best innocent look. “Me? Why wouldn’t I want to be here on time?”
“Lucas said I had permission to tie you down to the chair. And I will do it. It’s on my shoulders to make sure you’re presentable for this wedding.”
“Ah, come on, B. You’re making it sound like I’m rolling in mud and running buck naked through Ian’s wedding,” Rowe said, extending his hand to the stylist.
“Andrei left me that. He said I might need it.” B pointed to the small roll of duct tape, which was covered in pink and red hearts.
Noah busted out laughing, clapping a large hand on Rowe’s shoulder. “Holy crap! Andrei got you!”
Rowe threw his lover a dirty look, but Noah didn’t seem to notice it as he extended his hand to B.
“Hi, I’m Noah Keegan. You must be B.”
“I am. A pleasure to meet you.”
“All mine. Lucas and Andrei have raved about you for years now. I have a feeling you might be stuck with me after this. Glad to have a professional handling this mop.” Noah released B’s hand and grabbed a fistful of his loose curls.
B gracefully slid behind Noah and swatted his hand out of his hair. “Oh no, honey. Don’t you dare call this a mop. It’s beautiful. We just need to get you a proper conditioner. Definitely a leave-in moisturizer.”
“You got anything that smells like peppermint?” Rowe quickly asked, bringing a slow smile to B’s lips. He knew Rowe Ward didn’t give a shit about his own hair, but it was amusing that he had a few thoughts about Noah’s. Just like Lucas. And Snow.