Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“We didn’t even talk about any of that.” She shrugged. “I … it … just kind of happened.”
“And sometimes that is exactly what happens. I’m not here to defend Hawk or make his case for him. If he wants to do that, he can do it on his own. What I will say is … if he told you nothing happened, then I know it didn’t. Even Trixie said nothing happened. She wants to make it right, and he’s been a pain in the ass at the club. A lot of people are afraid of him.”
“They are?”
“Yeah, he’s been a grouch since it ended with the two of you.”
“Would you forgive him?” Nikki asked.
Darlene held her hands up. “I can’t answer this one for you, babe. This is between you and Hawk. I can’t even be biased, seeing as I’m part of the club, and he’s a pain in the ass at the best of times. He’s also a quiet partner in this place. His dad didn’t see the vision I had for this place, but Hawk did.”
“You like him?” Nikki asked.
“Like, respect, it’s all perspective. He’s a good guy for the most part, but he has also always been trained to take over the club. I know he’s not been the same without you.” Darlene reached out and ran a hand down her arm. “You’re back, though, for good?”
“Yes, yes, I am, and I will do whatever it takes to catch up.”
“You didn’t miss much, but we’ve got a facial in fifteen minutes, and then I’ve got a date night makeup to do. You can observe and I’ll ask questions. Your course lesson is tomorrow night, right?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re going to it?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Good. That is what I like to hear.” Darlene clapped her hands. “Let’s go and get started.”
For the rest of the day, Nikki tried not to think about Hawk. None of the club women arrived, and she immersed herself in the work.
Darlene was in top form with all her questions. She did get a couple wrong, and she made a quick note to grab her things from the trailer so she could study. Her mother was making Chinese food tonight, and she was loving the attention from her mother. It was like stepping into a dream. This was how she always wanted it to be, and she was not going to miss a moment of it.
The day went by a lot faster than she would have liked. One moment she was busy working, the next it was time to finish the cleanup and be on her way. Heading outside the back, Darlene winced.
“I really hope this snow holds off.”
“Why?”
“If it gets too bad, I have no choice but to close the shop. It’s too dangerous to open, and I’ll have to rebook everyone. Snow is beautiful and it makes me think of Christmas, but it is a pain in the ass.” She let out a growl. “You drive safely.”
Nikki made her way to her car and climbed inside. She didn’t linger but quickly headed out, going toward her trailer where she parked up and ran inside. Picking up her school bag, she took one last lingering look at the place, and then locked up, got back in her car, and went straight to her mother’s house. Her mother had already given her a spare key that morning, and she let herself in. The scents of ginger and garlic were quite strong.
“Mom, I’m home,” she said and smiled as within seconds, Ethel called out to her from the kitchen.
She stepped inside, and sure enough, her mother was standing at a wok, and there was a lot of smoke. Her mother had a red face.
“Trust the process, baby,” Ethel said.
Nikki laughed, leaning up against the door.
“You’re a little late. Was everything okay at work?”
“Oh, yeah, everything was fine. I mean, I quit my job and went back to the salon.”
“You did, that is great news, honey. I’m so pleased you decided to do that.”
“You are?”
“Yes. That place was making you miserable. Good money or not, it’s not good to be miserable at a job, especially when you have the opportunity to do what you love.” Ethel flipped the contents in the wok and gave a little chuckle. “Ready to eat?”
“Yeah, I’m starving. So, I had to go back to my trailer, grab my school bag as it has all the materials I need.”
“Speaking of your trailer, I wanted to talk to you about something,” Ethel said.
She served up the contents of the wok. Nikki looked, and she was pretty sure she saw noodles, bell peppers, chicken, and thinly sliced carrots, and it all looked super juicy.
Once the bowls were full, Nikki grabbed both and followed her mother into the dining room.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” Nikki asked, grabbing her set of chopsticks and taking a mouthful of food. She did remember to blow across the surface at the last minute, which was a close one, as it nearly burned her face off.