GOLDIE(11)

“Would you like me to bring you some other blue polishes?” the manicurist asked.

“That’d be great.” Hailey watched as the woman hurried over to a large display filled with nail polishes. “What did you think of the artist from that tattoo parlor?”

“The one who gave you the ink job? He did an awesome job. Are you loving your tat?”

“Yeah. He was so gorgeous. And did you see all the ink on his arms? Did you see his arms? They were delicious.”

Rory laughed. “You and biceps. The guy was great-looking, and he had a real badass vibe about him. I know that’s what you’re picking up on. You’ve always had a thing about bad boys. I can’t understand it. Me, I’ll take a nice guy every time. They’re usually so eager to please, so loyal, and they treat women like goddesses.”

Hailey giggled. “I wouldn’t say that Sage was any catch. He was acting like such the attentive gentleman and he was banging that woman in his office the whole time he was with you.”

“A nice guy in bad boy’s clothing.” Rory laughed.

The nail tech handed Hailey a denim blue polish. “Do you like this one?”

“Yes, that’s perfect. Thanks.” She picked up her iced tea and took a sip. “Anyway, I thought he was seriously sexy. I wish he was the one I was going out to dinner with tonight. Don’t give me that look, I’m just saying.”

“I can guarantee Brent can run circles around that tattoo guy. He may not be as good-looking or have a ripped body like that guy has, but Brent is a nice, decent man. You have to give him a chance. Ever since I can remember, you’ve always drifted toward the bad boys. Like that friend of Ryan’s. What was his name?”

“Garth?”

“Yeah, that’s it. You had such a crush on him.”

“I wouldn’t say he was a bad boy.”

Rory’s eyes widened. “Are you joking? He was always fighting and getting into trouble. And remember when he bought a motorcycle? He used to ride around the neighborhood purposely making as much noise as he could. Remember how it pissed off Mrs. Glover?”

Hailey laughed. “I forgot about that. I guess he was a badass. I didn’t see him that way because I knew him as Ryan’s friend for such a long time. He was pretty cute on his bike though.” A flutter of shivers tickled her as she recalled Garth and how he used to look at her when she was in high school.

“I wonder whatever happened to him.”

“Ryan told me he joined a biker gang.”

“Is it the Night Rebels?”

Hailey shrugged. “I don’t think he told me the name of it. I just know he told me he was in it, and that he was a major womanizer.”

“I bet it is. That’s the only motorcycle club around here. They’re like totally scary. If I see them on the street, I don’t even look at them.” Rory ran her hands up and down her arms as if she’d been seized by a sudden chill.

“I guess that’s why Ryan told me not to look him up.”

“If he’s a member of the Night Rebels, you definitely don’t want to reconnect. And I’m not surprised to find out he’s a player. He was that way when we were in high school. He was always with a new girl and had a line of them waiting to go out with him. That’s what I mean about bad boys. Give me a nice guy any time.”

“I do like a guy with a rough edge, but a motorcycle gang is too rough. Although, I’m still curious as to how he looks now that he’s a man.”

“Take Ryan’s advice and let it go. Now, tell me what you’re going to wear tonight. I hope you guys hit it off so you can double-date with me and Troy. This is going to be such a fun summer.”

After they were done with their pedicures, they stepped out into the bright sun and firmed up their plans for that evening. A bemused smile played on Hailey’s lips until she slid into her car. Rory was so excited about her and Brent hitting it off that she already had her whole year planned out with him. Pretty soon she’ll be leafing through bridal magazines to find the perfect wedding dress for me. Of the three of them, Rory was the romantic, Claudia was the skeptic, and Hailey was the realist.

She made a right turn at the light and headed up Santa Nella Street. It was in the opposite direction of where she lived, but the perfect way to go to the tattoo shop. I just want to see if I can spot him. Rory would be so disappointed. She snickered and turned on Saguro Street. Five blocks on each side of the street housed restaurants, bars, some funky boutiques, and Get Inked. She slowed down as she passed by the yellow storefront, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Nothing. She went around the block. You’re totally crazy. He dissed you. Why the hell are you making a fool of yourself?