“Nothing,” he said and tucked the phone in his pocket.She stood in the kitchen doorway in jeans and a black T-shirt that readmy favorite season is the fall of the patriarchy, her hair up in a clip and her eyes tired.“You’re home late.”
“Hair emergency,” she said and plunked her purse on the kitchen table before collapsing into a chair.“Why do people watch YouTube videos and think they can do everything?”
“What did they think they could do?”
“Bleach their hair—dark brown hair—then add vibrants.”
“Vibrants?”
“Vibrant hair color,” she clarified, and pulled the clip out of her hair.The purple-streaked mass came tumbling down around her shoulders.“Bright ones, like this purple.”
“Ah.I take it they messed it up.”
“An understatement.She’s fourteen and wants rainbow hair, but rainbow hair is expensive.”
“How expensive?”Nash wanted to know, thinking a couple hundred dollars.
“Between the product and the time involved, at least six hundred.”
“You’re kidding.”
Bailey shook her head, sending the mass of hair dancing.“Probably closer to a grand, considering the kid had enough hair for three people, halfway down her back.Her mom said she’d cover it if her grades were good enough, but she got a D in algebra, so no go.She decided to do it herself.”
“And messed it up.”
Bailey rolled her purple eyes.“Oh, yeah.Fried it—figured if she went with a stronger lightener and left it on longer than the package said, she’d cut the process time in half.We had to cut almost six inches off.I thought she was going to cry.”
Nash leaned back against the counter, enjoying the recitation.“And Mom?”
“Pissed, but grateful it could be fixed.”
“And?Does the kid have rainbow hair?”
Bailey smiled.“She does.And she’s mowing the lawn until she graduates from college to work it off.”
“You gave them a discount, didn’t you?”
“Just a little one.”
“Softie.”
“Guilty.”She circled her neck, wincing when it popped.
“Sore?”
“And starving.I haven’t had dinner.”
“Want some pigs-in-a-blanket?”he asked.
“Thanks, but I ordered a pizza.”She eyed him with amusement.“Is that what you’re having for dinner?”
“No, that’s what I’m having for a snack.It’s after nine.”
“Believe me, I know.”She rose from the table, pressing one hand to her lower back.“I’m going to take a shower before my pizza gets here.If it shows up before I get out, will you get it?”
“Sure.”
“Thanks.It’s already paid for.”