Juni hops over on one foot. “I’ll call dibs if this baby girl has nowhere left to go. I’ve got a spot on my bed that could use a tiny cutie to warm it.”
“Thanks, Juni,” I say. “I’ll let you know.”
Sabrina makes a face. “Sorry, Sprinkles. I’m a cat person, but by the sound of it someone will scoop you up.” She looks my way. “I’m sure it’s getting tight in that tiny cottage with three pets.” Although with the drop-dead gorgeous husband like that—who would care? I’d sleep in a closet as long as he was with me.
“It is.” I laugh. “But we like to think of it as cozy.”
Sabrina glances to her phone. “I’d better go. You ladies have fun. I just had time for a blowout this morning. I’m doing a makeup tutorial at the local high school. And don’t think I’ve forgotten about the tutorial I’m doing at the inn this week. Camila let me know you’re going to ask Raven to join us. It’s going to be a blast.”
She gives a friendly wave as she takes off, and I take a moment to soak in the crazy salon that’s living up to its kooky moniker. The floors are a dizzying black and white checkered pattern, as bright red chairs and turquoise framed mirrors dot every station.
There’s an array of women in every sort of costume, ranging from zombies to princesses, exerting a touch of sass in their choice accouterments as they hum over their clients, working busily to make sure they leave with just the right look. And the entire place holds the scent of lemons and ammonia.
Cobwebs and white muslin ghosts are strung up in every corner, and a giant black cauldron sits on the reception desk filled to the brim with candy. There’s a miniature Snicker’s bar peeking out at me, and I make a mental note to snag it before we leave.
“Great news!” Georgie hops over from the reception desk with that silly yet scary doll bobbing in her arms. “They’ve got room for two more, Juni. I’m thinking big hair. What do you think?”
Juni snorts. “Go big or go home. We’re going to have to hit the clubs tonight, Mama, just to show off our new dos.”
Georgie moans. “Don’t you tempt me. You know I’ve got this little monster to mind. I can’t go unless I find someone to sit on her.” Her eyes bug out as she hooks her gaze to mine. “What do you say, Bizzy? I’ve watched Fish and Sherlock plenty for you. How about a little tit for my tat?”
Camila groans. “Oh good Lord, just say yes, Bizzy, so we can get on with it.”
“Yes,” I hear myself says as Georgie and Juni whoop it up.
“You won’t regret this,” Georgie says and immediately her expression sobers up. “But whatever you do, don’t get her wet or feed her after midnight.”
Thankfully, the receptionist leads the mother-daughter duo to the back, and Camila motions for me to follow her.
“Sounds like I’ve got a Gremlin on my hands.”
Camila shakes her head. “Georgie and Juni are both Gremlins. Not the good kind either. The kind that were dunked in water and fed greasy tacos far past their bedtime. That doll is the least of your worries.”
“You haven’t met that doll,” I quip as I give poor Sprinkles a squeeze.
Raven Marsh waits in the back with an ear-to-ear grin as she scoops Sprinkles right out of my arms and begins to kiss her furry little face. No sooner does the smooching commence than the sneezing starts.
“Hey, ladies.” She sneezes again. Raven’s jet-black hair drapes over her body like a cardigan. She’s wearing a skintight orange dress and a pair of black leather boots that stretch to her thighs. Painted under each of her eyes there’s a harlequin pattern, and her smile is painted well past her lip line, giving her all the appeal of a sultry clown. I’m guessing that’s Sabrina’s genius at work.
“Take her,” she says as she hands Sprinkles back to me. “I’ve got mean allergies to pet dander. No luck in placing her somewhere, huh?”
“It looks like I may have a home for her after all,” I say, glancing in Juni’s direction. “But I’ll check around with the rest of Blair’s friends before I take that step.”
Raven’s eyes widen a moment. Good luck finding people who identify as Blair’s friends. The odds are better of finding a unicorn first. And the way this crazy month is going, she just might do that. Nothing would surprise me anymore.
Nothing would surprise me anymore either. And I would definitely keep the unicorn. Our cottage may be tight, but there’s always room for unicorns.
Raven looks to Camila and me. “You know what? I think I’m going to take care of the both of you at once.”
She gets us to the back and washes our hair before landing us in those red shiny seats right back at her station.
Camila nods my way. “So, Raven”—she says as the blow dryer hums on a low setting above her—“we ran into Tabitha last night at dinner, and she mentioned those perfumes you’re cooking up. I’m betting if I had gotten my mitts on them last year, I’d be Mrs. Jasper Wilder instead of you, Bizzy.”
I avert my eyes as Raven cackles up a storm. I know for a fact she did try them because I read Tabitha’s mind back at the restaurant the other night. Let’s just say these perfumes don’t have such a great track record.
“It’s amazing you’re friends at all.” Raven ticks her head to the side. Come to think of it, Camila didn’t have a single nice thing to say about Bizzy the day we met. Typical Camila. Smile to your face, stab you in the back when you’re not looking.
A quick visual of Blair lying on the ground that night bounces through her mind and she gives a hard blink, shooing the thought away.
“Camila and I are past all that
