Too Close for Comfort by La Jill Hunt Read Free Book Online Page A

asked.
    â€œI’m getting out now,” she huffed at him, opening her door and stepping out of the car. She pulled her sunglasses over her face, which she made sure was perfectly made before she left the house. Even though she wasn’t in the mood to get dressed and made up, she forced herself to, knowing if she didn’t, she would hear Taryn’s mouth all day. She straightened her cream linen pants and belted shirt and headed inside.
    â€œWell, well, well, look who the wind blew in,” a familiar voice called when she stepped into the barbershop.
    She cut her eyes and tried to ignore Jarrod, the manager. She and Jarrod had graduated from high school together. He was voted class clown and still wore the title proudly.
    â€œWhat up, Ms. Thang? Q tells me we’re about to be neighbors. Welcome to the neighborhood.”
    â€œWhatever, Jarrod.” She brushed past him. “Hello, everyone else.”
    â€œHey, Yaya. What up, Yaya,” the other barbers greeted her.
    She knew most of them, like she did Jarrod, from school. “Where’s Quincy?”
    â€œIn the back”—Jarrod aimed the clippers he was using in the direction of the office—“making plans for your new salon with T , new neighbor.”
    Yaya walked to the back, where she found Quincy and Taryn talking. Taryn was holding her leather-bound note-pad, and Quincy was measuring something with a tape measure.
    â€œGood morning.”
    â€œHey there, girl. That pantsuit is fierce. I love it.” Taryn winked at her.
    â€œHey, Yaya, check this out.”
    Quincy led them out the back door of the barbershop, into the back of the other side of the building, which was now being used as storage and would somehow become their salon. They showed her the layout he and Taryn had come up with so far. Despite it being dark and unappealing, it did have more than enough space for the salon.
    â€œIt’s bigger than I thought,” she said.
    â€œI told you.” Quincy smirked.
    They walked through, continuing to make plans and taking notes.
    By the time they finished, Yaya’s initial excitement had returned, until he told her, “I’ll have a door cut right here so people can walk through both shops.”
    â€œOh, no, I don’t think so.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œI don’t want my customers being harassed by Jarrod and your rowdy barbers,” Yaya huffed. “It’s bad enough we have to be next door. Now you want them to be able to just walk over whenever they feel like it?”
    â€œI have to agree, Q .” Taryn nodded. “You know they can get loud over there.”
    â€œFine. Suit yourself.” Quincy shrugged. He took his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed. “I already talked with a guy yesterday and showed him your layout; he should be here any minute.”
    â€œI hope that was a professional contractor and not some jackleg who rolls thru every week, and gets a haircut,” she said.
    â€œHe was professional enough to do my other shops and install the flooring in your condo when you wanted me to have it done.”
    â€œI’m not saying that, Q . I mean, there are certain things we want to have done, and I just wanna make sure he can do it.”
    â€œAnd I’m sure if he’s done work for Quincy, he can do it for us.” Taryn laughed nervously. “Excuse us for a minute, Q , we need to step out back and talk.” Taryn whisked Yaya out the back door. “What is your problem? Why are you being difficult?”
    â€œI’m not trying to be difficult, Taryn. I just wanna make sure we’re on point with this. I need for Q to understand this isn’t some little home project that he’s gonna pass off to one of his boys.”
    â€œHe’s not trying to do that. He’s trying to help us . . . something we asked him to do. Lose the attitude, Yaya. I’m trying to—” Taryn stopped