His smile flat lined and he didnt answer.

Delaney couldnt remember a time when shed gotten the best of Nick. Hed always been quicker and meaner. But that had been in the past with the old Delaney. The new Delaney stuck her nose in the air and pressed her luck. “What were you in the slammer for, exposing yourself in public?

“Strangling a smart-ass redhead who used to be blond. He took several steps toward her and stopped close enough to touch. “It was worth it.

Delaney looked up at him and smiled. “Did you bend over and pick up the soap? She expected his anger. She expected him to say something cruel. Something to make her wish shed run the second shed seen his Jeep, but he didnt.

He rocked back on his heels and grinned. “That was a good one, he said, then he laughed, and it was the deep confident laughter of a man who knew with certainty that no one would think to question his sexual preference.

She couldnt remember a time when shed ever heard his laughter that it hadnt been directed at her . Like the time her mother had made her dress up like a Smurf for the Halloween parade, and Nick and his hoodlum buddies had howled with laughter.

This Nick was disarming. “Sounds like were both going to be in Louies wedding.

“Yeah, who would have thought my best friend would end up with crazy Louie Allegrezza.

His chuckle was deep and genuine. “Hows business? he asked and really threw her off balance.

“Okay, she answered. The last time hed been pleasant to her, shed let him strip her naked while hed remained fully clothed. “All I need is a few new locks and some deadbolts.

“Why? Did someone try to break in?

“Im not sure. She lowered her gaze to the folded papers sticking out of his breast pocket, anywhere but his tractor-beam eyes. “I was given only one key to the business and there have to be more somewhere. I called the locksmith, but he hasnt made it over yet.

Nick reached for the door handle by Delaneys waist and jiggled it. His wrist brushed her hip. “He probably wont. Jerry is a damn good locksmith when he works, but he works just enough to pay his rent and buy booze. You wont see him until he runs out of Black Velvet.

“Thats just great. She looked down at the toes of her shiny boots. “Has your business ever been broken into?

“Nope, but I have steel doors and deadbolts.

“Maybe Ill just do it myself, she said, thinking out loud. How hard could it be? All she needed was a screwdriver and maybe a drill.

This time when he laughed, it was definitely at her. “Ill send over a subcontractor in the next few days.

Delaney looked up at him then. Up past his chin, his full sensuous mouth, and cool gaze. She didnt trust him. His offer was too nice. “Why would you do that for me?

“Suspicious?

“Very.

He shrugged. “A person could easily crawl through the vents from one building to the other.

“I knew your offer wasnt made out of the kindness of your heart.

He leaned forward and planted his hands on the wall beside her head. “You know me so well.

His big body blocked the sunlight, but she refused to feel intimidated. “Whats it going to cost me?

A wicked smile lit his eyes. “Whatcha got?

Okay, she refused to show him that he intimidated her. She lifted her chin a little. “Twenty bucks?

“Not enough.

Trapped within his arms, she could hardly breathe. A thin slice of air separated her mouth from his. He was so close she could smell the scent of shaving cream still clinging to his skin. She had to turn her face away. “Forty? she asked, her voice all squeaky and breathless.

“Uh-uh. He touched his index finger to her cheek and brought her gaze back to his. “I dont want your money.

“What do you want?

His eyes moved to her mouth and she thought he would kiss her. “Ill think of something, he said and pushed away from the wall.

Delaney took a deep breath and watched him disappear into the building next door. She was afraid to think of what that something might be.

* * *

The next day at work, she made a sign offering free nail polish with a weave or color. No takers, but she did spray Mrs. Vaughns gray hair into the shape of a helmet. Laverne Vaughn had taught grade school in Truly until shed been forced to retire in the late seventies.

Evidently, Wannetta had been true to her word. She told her friends about Delaney. Mrs. Vaughn paid ten dollars, wanted her senior citizen discount, and demanded a free bottle of polish. Delaney took the sign down.

Friday she shampooed and styled another of Wannettas friends, and Saturday, Mrs. Stokesberry dropped off two wigs to be cleaned. One white for everyday wear, the other black for special occasions. She picked them up three hours later, and insisted on placing the white wig on her own head.

“You give a senior citizen discount, right? she asked as she pulled at the hair about her ears.

“Yes. Delaney sighed, wondering why she was putting up with so much crap from so many people. Her mother, the gray-haired ladies, and Nick. Especially Nick. The answer came to her like the ringing of her cash register. Three million dollars. She could put up with a lot for three million big ones.

As soon as the woman left, Delaney closed the salon early and went to visit her friends Duke and Dolores. The dogs trembled with excitement as they licked her cheeks. At last, friendly faces. She rested her forehead on Dukes neck and tried not to cry. She failed, just as she was failing with the salon. She hated finger waves and spraying hair into domes. She really hated washing and styling wigs. Most of all, she hated not doing what she loved. And what Delaney loved was making ordinary women look extraordinary. She loved the sound of blow-dryers, the tempo of rapid snipping, and the smell of dyes and perming solutions. Shed loved her life before shed come back to Truly for Henrys funeral. Shed had friends and a job she loved.

Seven months and fifteen days, she told herself. Seven months and then she could move anywhere she wanted. She rose to her feet and reached for the dogs leashes.

Half an hour later, she returned from walking the dogs and put them back in their pen. She was just about to open her car door when Gwen stepped outside.

“Can you stay for dinner? her mother asked, wrapping a beige angora sweater around her shoulders.

“No.

“Im sorry I had to leave your party early.

Delaney fished her keys from her pocket. Usually she bit her tongue and held it all inside, but she wasnt in the mood. “No, I dont think you are.

“Of course I am. Why would you say such a thing to me?

She looked at her mother, at her blue eyes and blond hair cut in a classic bob. “I dont know, she answered, deciding to back down from an argument she would lose anyway. “Ive had a crappy day. Ill come to dinner tomorrow night if you want.

“I have plans for tomorrow night.

“Monday then, Delaney said as she slid into her car. She waved good-bye, and as soon as shed returned to her apartment, she called Lisa. “Are you free tonight? she asked when her friend picked up. “I need a drink, maybe two.

“Louies working late, so I can meet you for a while.

“Why dont we meet at Henneseys? A blues band is playing there later tonight.

“Okay, but Ill probably leave before they start.

Delaney was a little disappointed, but she was used to being alone. After she hung up the telephone, she took a shower then dressed in a green belly sweater and a pair of jeans. She fluffed her hair, applied her makeup, and put on her Doc Martens and leather jacket to walk the three blocks to Henneseys. By the time she arrived, it was six-thirty and the bar was filled with the after-work crowd.

Henneseys was a fair-sized bar, with the top level looking down on the lower. The tables on both levels were crowded together, and a portable stage had been set up on the large dance floor. For now, the lights inside the bar blazed and the dance floor was empty. Later, that would all change.