Still, it was no guarantee.
“Oh, handsome. He knows good and well I’m a flirt. I can flirt, I can look, I just can’t touch.”
“Is he allowed to do the same?” Reilly asked, her worry about the Shirleys long gone as she smiled at the newcomer.
“Wait.” Teddy’s eyes narrowed on Reilly. “Whoooo are you?” They landed on Jemma next, like he only noticed them. “And you? How did you two ladies slip by me?”
Were women invisible in his world? Or was he just temporarily blinded by the five handsome bikers? Glancing around the circle, she looked at them all in a new light. She could see that happening. All five of them, including Dutch, who was just a little more seasoned than the rest, were hot as fuck.
Teddy’s gaze dropped from Jemma to the baby in the stroller. He bent down toward Dyna and whispered, “Oh, who’s this little muffin?” He wiggled Dyna’s foot.
“That’s Cage’s snot monkey,” Rook said with a grin.
Dutch wacked his oldest son in the gut so hard, Rook grunted and almost bent in half. “That’s my grandbaby Duchess,” said the proud pap-pap.
“Duchess?” Teddy glanced up from the baby to Cage, then he looked at Rook. “Didn’t know either of you two were taken.” He straightened and cocked an eyebrow at Jemma. “But I could see why. You’re not only beautiful but have a great head of hair.” He looked at Reilly. “You, too. And I’m not sure why your tushes haven’t been in my chair at Manes on Main yet.” He pouted.
“You have a salon?” Jemma asked.
“Oh yes, girlfriend. I’m not sure why any of these leather-loving gorillas haven’t told you. Right down on Main Street. Past the square, next to the butcher shop. You can’t miss it. Big lettering on the window.” He raised his hands together in the air and then spread them apart, like he was revealing a marquis or a banner. “Manes on Main. New customers get their first wash and trim for free.”
That was good to know, especially since she’d need a cut soon and wanted to look good for any interviews coming up.
Teddy leaned closer to Jemma and winked. “I’m the best in town. Ask Dutch. I’m the only one he’ll let touch Santa’s beard.”
“I’m in,” Reilly said. “I haven’t had a cut and lowlights since leaving Philly.”
Teddy spun on her and clapped his hands. “Can’t wait! But, girlfriend, you need to stop tugging on your hair like that. It’ll give you a bald spot.” He stepped up to the blonde and tipped her face up, turning it back and forth as if he was inspecting it. “I see you’re trying to cover that scar. That ain’t but a thing, girl. I can style your hair to minimize it and then show you how to cover the rest with makeup if it bothers you. But honestly, it doesn’t change how gorgeous you are. So,” he plugged one hand on his hip while jutting it out, “who are you?”
“Reilly,” she answered with a smile. “I work here at the garage.”
Teddy clapped his hands again and bounced on his toes. “Oh goodie! That means you’ll be a regular. You let me know when you want to sit your cute tush in my chair and I’ll clear my schedule.”
He moved to stand in front of Jemma next and fluffed the sides of her hair. “Just as gorgeous. The color of your hair is how I like my coffee and men. With lots of cream. And who are you?”
As she opened her mouth to answer, Cage’s hand settled on her lower back again. “This is Judge’s sister Jemma.”
“Judge... Judge...” Teddy stared up at the sky, tapping one finger against his pursed lips. His eyes went wide. “Oh! The big beast of a man with roadkill on his face.” He scrunched up his nose. “I offered to snip snip snip it,” he mimed cutting scissors with his fingers, “to let his handsome face show, but he got a little...”
“Grumpy?” Jemma asked with a muffled snort.
“Growly. Let your brother know the offer is still available. I expect to see you in my chair soon.” Teddy spun on Dutch. “You’re looking a little ragged there, too, Santa. Time for you to come visit.”
“Why does he call Dutch Santa?” Jemma asked Cage in a whisper.
“He dresses up as Santa for the Christmas parade every year.”
“Oh, well... that’s... sweet.” Jemma never remembered Dutch playing Santa as an Original, but then he’d been a lot younger back then. Maybe Dutch was her good Santa memory. She also never went to the Manning Grove Christmas parade. She never even knew there was one. She wondered if it started more recently.
“Cage drives his Impala in it, too,” Whip said next to her. “Let’s the chief of police ride in the back.”
That surprised the shit out of her. But then, the club had only been reborn within the last two years. Maybe the current Fury members didn’t have an issue with the current batch of cops.