Her eyes brighten then. “It’s actually pretty amazing, Rory. The place is so classy, and the decor is fabulous. Plus, all the therapists are great, and we trade services. So I’m getting all the massages I can ask for, and all I have to do is color hair or do a rebase. It’s heaven.”
“I’m happy for you. I was talking to Willow the other day, and she only does hair. There’s going to be a lot of clientele here who will be missing your manicures and facials.”
“Really? Willow only does hair?”
“Well, she’s from LA. She had lots of hair there.”
“Honestly? I’m doing mostly hair now myself. The spa has nail techs and aestheticians. I’m the only one that does all of it. I love doing hair, but I miss the other stuff.”
“I’m sure you can probably take a few appointments here and there.”
“Probably. Honestly? I can deal. The money is phenomenal.”
I nod. That’s not shocking at all, given that she’s in Denver now at a top-notch salon and spa rather than a tiny salon in Snow Creek, Colorado.
“I’m happy for you, Raine.” I already said that, but it’s true. This was the right move for her, and the timing was also impeccable.
“Thank you. It was the right decision. For so many reasons.”
I nod again. She doesn’t have to elaborate. We both know.
“So how are you?” she asks.
“Good, actually. Callie is engaged to Donny Steel, as you know, and I’m actually seeing his cousin. Brock.”
“You and Brock Steel?”
She cocks her head, and her lips… I think they’re trying to smile but not quite getting there. She doesn’t look unhappy. Or jealous. She just looks…like she doesn’t get it.
Which, of course, she doesn’t. She’s not bisexual. She likes only women, all the time.
And that—the fact that she doesn’t understand me—led to our breakup more than anything else.
“Yeah. Brock Steel.”
“Great. I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you. He’s a good guy.”
“But isn’t he one of the Rake-a-teers? I believe you’re the one who coined that term.”
“I did, and he is. I didn’t say we were serious or anything.”
“Oh. I see.”
Except it’s clear that she doesn’t see. But that’s okay. We’re no longer together.
“How about you? Are you seeing anyone new?”
“Not yet. I haven’t had a chance to breathe, with getting my book up and running at the new place. I’m so lucky that they already have such an established clientele. Since I own a share of the business, I get first dibs on new appointments.”
“How do the others feel about that?” I ask.
“It doesn’t really matter how they feel. I own the place.”
That means they don’t feel great about it. This is classic Raine. She has her ideas, and she doesn’t budge—hence her lack of understanding about my bisexuality.
“That’s great,” I say. “You’ll be rolling in the bucks before long.”