Chapter One
HAILEY
A flash of lightning wakes me from a deep sleep and I sit up, breathing hard. The storm must have been in my dream because it’s dark and still outside. The moon casts a calm, silvery light through the curtains. My heart thuds in my ears as I clutch onto the sheets.
Taking deep breaths, I have a drink of water, then lay down and put my head under the pillow. I go through all the stuff I need to get ticked off for the shelter fundraising event, trying to concentrate on practical things. It takes a long time to get back to sleep.
My third alarm is the loudest of all.
Getting to sleep and staying asleep are amajorproblem for me. But this ongoing lack of rest means once I do conk out, that’s it. Lights out, nobody’s home. Left to my own devices, waking up is a long, slow process when I have the time to indulge in what my over-tired brain and body want to do. Not this morning, unfortunately.
When Sienna lived here, she’d come in and start talking to get me to wake up. The sound of her voice called me back into the real world. But she’s moved in with her boyfriend, soI depend on that blaring third alarm to rouse me. Today is important. I need to be on time and at my best.
My phone beeps as I head downstairs to fire up the coffee machine.
Sienna: Good luck Hails! You’re going to crush it. Call me afterwards. Remember your portfolio. You’re so creative, they’ll be lucky to have you.
Hailey: Thanks, sis. Keep everything crossed.
My sister is my biggest cheerleader. But we’re total opposites. Sienna has aced every interview she’s ever had. Organization is her strong point. It’s like all the genes for logic and level-headedness went her way. What did that podcast I listened to yesterday say? Something like ‘comparison is the thief of joy’. But it’s hard not to compare my sister’s dazzling corporate career and loved-up relationship with my empty house and three part-time jobs.
I put a frozen muffin in the microwave while I make my coffee. The labrador-shaped clock one of my dog-walking clients gave me ticks loudly as I munch on the muffin. I laid my outfit on the chair in the hall last night, except I can’t find the shirt I want to wear.
Hells bells.
I put it out on the line yesterday because the dryer keeps breaking and we’ve had a few sunny days recently. I hope it’s survived okay out overnight. I dash outside, but there’s nothing on the clothesline.
I know who the culprit is; Ember, my next-door neighbor’s dog. And not just any neighbor. Atlas King is a huge, gorgeous force of nature, chief of the fire department and respected byeveryone in Snowflake Falls. I can’t go around accusing his dog of stealing my stuff until I have solid proof.
I’ve only spied on him from a distance. Atlas King is exactly the type of out-of-my-league guy who wouldn’t look twice at a hot mess like me. He could have his pick of girls. Which he probably has, since what guy wouldn’t take advantage of that hero status and godlike good looks? To complicate things, he’s also my landlord, not that I’ve ever dealt with him in person. The agency he rents the house out with deals with me. I’m sure he’s far too busy to deal with things like broken dryers.
I jolt myself out of my daydream, running upstairs to grab another shirt and do my makeup. On my way to the interview, I listen to a motivational podcast, willing myself to get out of my own head.
Blossom Beautystands out like a beacon in the town square. Daisy, the new owner, has painted the fuschia pink walls outside with flowers of all different colors. The door is open, a neon sign is blinking in the window and music’s playing as I walk up. I take a deep breath and go inside.
“Hey, Hailey! Right on time. Can I get you some coffee?” Daisy walks up. Her hair is a swirl of pink-streaked tawny brown, piled on top of her head, and she’s dressed in a bright green jumpsuit. A smiling woman is sitting on one of the chairs facing the long mirrors lining the wall.
I shake my head. “No, thanks. Had some already. Probably too much! I’m a little nervous.”
She smiles. “Don’t be nervous. I stalked your Instagram account and you’ve done some amazing work. You should set it to public, I’m sure people would commission you all the time.”
“Thank you. I also have my portfolio here.” I hand over the big folder I’m clutching in my hands.
“I’ll take a look while you do Aster’s hair. She runs the store next door.Verytricky client.”
I laugh as Aster winks at me. Once Aster’s told me what she’d like and showed me a photo on her phone, I start to relax. This is my happy place. I love the before and after moments, the careful process of creating what my client wants and the skill involved in giving them their dream hair.
After three hours, I’ve finished Aster’s balayage, cut and blow-dry. She’s so happy that she gives me a huge hug before she leaves the store.
Daisy’s beaming. “I don’t think that could have gone any better! Please tell me you’re going to be my very first employee. I need someone as good as you. And, by the way, you should totally let me put those purple and pink streaks back in your hair. That photo in your portfolio is stunning.”
I smile. “I’d be delighted. I’ve been keeping a low profile, hair-wise, but maybe a new look would do me good.”
“Great! When can you start?”
“Thursday, if you like? I have to hand over with my dog walking job first.”
“Perfect.”
