Everyone Is Hiding Something
Mia crept up behind Nico, who was sitting in the styling chair leafing through a magazine. She had already raised her hand to grab him by the shoulder when her eyes fell on the lingerie catalogue in his hands.
“Well, damn. You’ve got one hell of a body!” she blurted out.
Nico sprang to his feet, white as a sheet. The catalogue hit the tiled floor with a dull thud. His whole body was shaking.
“What the hell was that for?” he hissed.
Mia clapped a hand over her mouth.
“Oh God, I’m so sorry, sweetheart! I was only trying to scare you.”
Nico stared at her, wide-eyed.
“Only? That’s all you were trying to do?” he snapped, raking both hands through his hair. “Well, you did a hell of a job.”
He bent down, picked up the magazine, then hurried into the kitchen without another word, slamming the door behind him.
Mia’s shoulders slumped. She stood there staring at the floor, full of guilt. She didn’t even notice someone walking into the salon.
“Holy shit!” Vera’s unmistakable voice cut through the silence. “What happened? Somebody die?”
Mia jumped and clutched her chest.
“Jesus, Vera,” she whispered hoarsely. “You scared me half to death.” She sighed. “Though I suppose I deserved that.”
“So?” Vera grinned. “What did you do? Sleep with one of the clients? Was it a guy or a girl? Come on, tell me.”
Mia rolled her eyes.
“Oh, come on, Vera. Not everything is about hooking up.”
“Really?” Vera smirked. “Trust me, sooner or later, everything comes back to it.”
“Pfft.” Mia waved a dismissive hand. “Why do I even argue with you?”
Vera straightened proudly.
“That’s just how it is, baby. Nobody’s ever beaten Auntie Vera in a war of words.”
“So, who are you here to see?” Mia said as she sat down at the computer. “Sorry, my mind’s gone blank.”
“Nico, baby. Isn’t he here yet?”
“He is. I just scared him half to death. He’s been sulking in the kitchen ever since. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
She reached for the phone.
Vera’s eyebrows shot up.
“Wow. You pissed him off that badly? You’re afraid to go and face him yourself?”
Mia blushed.
“Don’t even start. He was really mad.”
At that moment, the kitchen door opened.
“I’m here, Vera. Take a seat,” Nico said, gesturing towards the shampoo basin.
Vera shot Mia a knowing look, then winked before sauntering towards the corner. Nico shook his head and followed her.
“So,” he said, “what’s the latest with the guy whose tooth you knocked out?”
Vera clenched both fists and threw them into the air.
“Damn him to hell,” she muttered through gritted teeth.
Nico burst out laughing.
Mia looked up at the ceiling in relief.
He’s laughing. That’s a good sign. The danger’s passed.
“Yeah, very funny,” Vera shot back. “Do you have any idea how much this is costing me?”
“So you’re paying for his teeth.”
“Don’t remind me. Turns out I didn’t have much choice. Bastard.”
“Did you speak to a lawyer?”
“Hell no,” she scoffed. “Mr. Boob-Stare did that for me.” she added a little more mildly.
“Nice of him to help you out,” Nico said, nodding as though he didn’t know perfectly well the man was crazy about her.
“Oh, please.” Vera waved him off. “He wants to get into my pants. Hear that, Mia? See? Everything really does come back to… what did you call it? Hooking up.”
“I thought you said you liked him too.”
Vera pulled a face.
“I only said he wasn’t that bad.”
“Coming from you, that’s practically a glowing endorsement,” Nico said.
A quiet giggle drifted over from reception.
“Don’t get carried away, Mia. I know you. You’ve got that sweet, innocent face, but you’re a real player underneath.”
“If by that you mean scaring people half to death,” Nico cut in, “then I agree.”
Vera let out a dramatic groan.
“Oh, give it a rest, Nico. Stop sulking.”
Mia cleared her throat pointedly.
“Exactly,” she agreed. “Or I might end up giving Vera something very interesting to read.”
Vera looked at her suspiciously.
“What are you talking about? What’s with all the mystery?”
“Nothing,” Nico said quickly. “Come on, move over to the other chair so I can cut your hair. I already know exactly what style will make Mr. Boob-Stare’s jaw hit the floor.”
Fortunately, Vera was far more interested in the father who had recently gone from complete jerk to knight in shining armour than in Mia’s remark, so she let it drop.
Nico got to work. In the mirror, he shot Mia another pointed look.
She answered by making a heart with her fingers.
“What if he asks you out?” Nico asked.
Vera shrugged.
“So what? We have sex. Maybe twice.”
“You really don’t think he’d be good for anything else?”
“How would I know?”
“Then why have you written the poor guy off so completely?”
Vera raised an eyebrow.
“Who says I was talking about him?” she asked, genuinely puzzled. “I was talking about myself. I don’t expect anything more from me. Besides…” She snorted softly. “Who could put up with my big mouth anywhere outside the bedroom?”
The scissors trembled in Nico’s hand.
Slowly, he lowered them onto his thigh.
He caught Mia’s eye in the mirror again.
The smile faded from her face.
Meanwhile, Vera was busy with her phone.
Nico took the opportunity. Carefully, almost hesitantly, he ran his fingers through her curls.
Vera caught the movement in the mirror.
“What are you looking for in my hair? Did you drop your scissors in there?” she teased, but her voice caught at the end.
She quickly cleared her throat as though she’d simply swallowed the wrong way.
Nico blinked, puzzled, then instinctively gave her a gentle pat on the back.
“Easy now. Don’t go choking on me.” He glanced towards reception. “Mia, could you bring the lady a glass of water?”