Random Client: “Oh, that’s right. Did you know he’s Poppy and Liam’s half-brother?”
Jenna: “Yes. Yes, I did know that.”
She was tempted to write the script with lipstick and put it on her mirror and point to it when people started talking. She was in a rare lull from anyone addressing her directly, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t still the subject of conversation. She had seven stations besides her own, and they were all filled at the moment, as well as her waiting area. She could hear the constant hum of gossip’s whispering wings fluttering around the shop.
“They talked for hours in the parking lot.”
“I heard they left together.”
“Of course they were together, he’s never been to Trivia Night before.”
“You know he’s a billionaire.”
“I heard he chased her out of the bar.”
“Has anyone asked her about it?”
“She is really pretty, though.”
“Yeah, but he’s Deacon St. Claire.”
She hoped this was going to cycle out of the news. There was a huge charity gala being hosted by Niko Costas and other sports stars coming up in a few days, and she’d heard there were a few celebrities who planned on being in attendance. Hopefully, that would take some heat off.
When her phone rang with a Facetime from her daughter, she wished she could mute the entire salon. Her phone was propped up on the cabinet next to the mirror, she reached out and pressed the answer call button, and Blake’s face filled the screen. “Hey, Peanut.”
“Do you know where my gray sweats are?”
“They are still in the dryer if you didn’t take them out last night.”Like I reminded you to. Twice.
“I need them for practice.”
Jenna took a breath. She knew she needed to stop bailing Blake out. Her daughter had to start feeling the consequences of her actions. So, she had no idea why she found herself saying, “I’ll drop them off in your locker on my lunch break.”
“Thanks, Mom. Love you.”
She expected the screen to go black, but then she saw Rayna’s sweet little face poke in the side of the screen. “Ask her.”
“Oh, right. Why didn’t you tell me you were on a date with Deacon St. Claire last night?!”
Oh, for the love of Pacey Witter.
“I wasnoton a date.”
“Mom, don’t lie,everyoneat school is talking about it.”
“Everyone at Hope Falls High is talking about my non-date? Iseriouslydoubt that.”
“You and Tiana went on a double date with the two most eligible bachelors in Hope Falls sinceHot Pastor, of course everyone is talking about it, Mom. Niko isNiko Costas, and Deacon St. Claire is like a mega-billionaire, and he’s super hot. You know he dated a Kardashian, right?”
No, I didn’t know that.
Why did that make her jealous?
Blake’s friend Angel, who had a very large social media following due to her popular YouTube movie reviews, had her finger on the pulse of all things pop culture and the uncanny ability to speak with the authority of Wikipedia and the emotional conviction of a French existentialist, called out, “Actually, I think it was a Jenner.”
That didnotmake it better.
“Seriously?!” Rayna spun around to face Angel, who nodded. Then Rayna turned back around and looked at Blake, and then into the camera. “Miss Thomas, everyoneistalking about it.”
