Embrace the Night Read Online Free Page B

best to focus on finishing the precise curls she was making in Vera's jet black, pixie cut hair. "No, it's an environment for professionalism and the beautification of our clients."
    "Whatever. All them big words are not distracting me from the fact you're hiding something." Ralph paused, then gasped. "It's a man. It's got to be."
    "Who says it's a man? Who says it's anything?"
    "As defensive as you just got, I know it's a man." Vera didn't even look up from the issue of Sister 2 Sister in her lap. "Finally, some guy has caught your attention."
    Tatiana sighed. Ralph had been complaining for months that she hadn't been on a date, and commenting that a good man wasn't going to fall in her lap. He accused her of being too driven, too focused on her career. And maybe that was true, but if she was going to run one of the most thriving beauty salons in the city of Durham, how could she be any other way? “Ralph, get back to your station.” She released a curl and placed the iron in the holder, switching to a smaller one for the section in the back of Vera's head. “Owner's orders.”
    He pursed his lips. He was a straight male hairdresser, which some considered a rare sight in Durham. A married father of three, Ralph Moore wasn't short on masculinity in any way. But he'd been around the other ladies at the shop so long he'd taken on some of their mannerisms. “I'm going, but I will be back later to grill you.”
    She narrowed her eyes, and Vera quipped, “You better leave her alone while she's got all these hot irons!”
    He took a step back. “You're probably right. I'll let it go for now.” Then he made his way across the crowded shop to his station, where a client waited for him.
    Vera went back to reading her magazine, and Tatiana concentrated on making the precise rows of tiny curls to complete her hairstyle. Silence lapsed between them, and when she was done, Vera paid her. After she waved and exited, Tatiana plopped down in the empty chair and sighed. Knowing she had two more heads to do before she could go home, she tried to pull herself together. How had this absolutely infuriating man gotten under her skin so quickly?
    Ralph sauntered over, occupying the empty chair next to her. "So, you gonna tell me who this guy is, or do I have to take you out and get a few martinis in you?"
    She placed her hand to her forehead. "Ralph, I really don't wanna talk about this."
    "I know. But I intend to drag it out of you, by any means necessary."
     
    She looked into the brown eyes of her co-worker and confidante of the past five years. If they weren't such good friends, and he wasn't married, they probably would have dated. He was handsome, a tall, well built, mahogany hued man with a shaved head. She'd been hiding her powers, and her PHOENIX career, from him ever since they met. Now, John Groves might be the catalyst that forced her to reveal her secrets. "I can't talk about this in the shop."
     
    He leaned forward in his chair. "Oh, this must be juicy. Tell me when and I'll be there."
     
    "I'm exhausted today, so when I get home tonight, I'm going to bed." She ran a hand through her loose curls, which were limp from the humidity in the shop. "But come over tomorrow afternoon, around one o'clock, and I'll explain everything. I should be up by then."
     
    He clapped his hands. "I'll be there. Will you have Ava this weekend?"
     
    She shook her head. "Nope." Ava, her seven year old niece, stayed with her most weekends. But since her sister Tara had the weekend off, Ava wouldn't be there.
     
    "Good. I love Ava, but with no little ears around, maybe I can get all the details."
     
    If she was going to tell him about John, without lying about how they met, she was going to have to tell him the whole shebang. He's probably not ready to hear it, but he brought it on himself. She had no idea how he'd react, but she vowed to stand near the phone when she revealed it all, in case he required emergency medical care. "What I'm gonna tell