Nico stepped into the still-empty salon wearing a satisfied smile. He eagerly rummaged through the black woven basket hanging from his arm, packed with decorative odds and ends.

Dolores sat on the salon couch, wringing her hands. Mia watched the computer screen while her fingers clicked lightly over the keyboard. Lara painted indigo-blue polish onto the nails of a college girl studying for exams.

"Hello? Anybody here?"

Nico checked the time. Lara and Mia were both supposed to be out in the salon. He didn't move.

"Can I help you?" Lara asked the stern-looking woman in the outdated skirt suit as she walked into the salon.

Gael eagerly swung the door wide open for Dolores. The elderly woman smiled and gave him a polite nod.

Mia coughed a few times, her face contorted with disgust, then yanked the salon door shut with more force than necessary. She stopped herself from slamming it, but she couldn't hide her irritation.

Nico drummed his fingers anxiously against the reception counter. His chest and shoulders had locked up tight. That never meant anything good. Ever since childhood, he’d known this feeling meant trouble was coming.

Rosita stepped into the salon with flushed cheeks and an eager smile. Her glittering eyes swept hungrily across the room.

Niko nearly dropped the mixing bowl when he stepped out of the cramped back room and saw the young woman with burnt-orange hair and a light, floral dress.

Lara glanced at the rose-gold clock on the wall, frowning slightly.

“Wasn’t someone supposed to be here at nine? Or am I mixing things up?”