Roman's Vow (Riley's Pride #4) - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,1

the longer strands still atop his head into a softly layered look that at the same time said ‘I am the height of fashion’ and ‘I am all business’ depending on how he styled it.

Once done with his cut, she set her tools aside and put some mousse in her hand before rubbing it against her other hand, then applying it to his hair.

“You’ve got some layers up here, but they can be easily left messy, like this,” she said, tousling the strands and sculpting the front up and away from his forehead, “or if you want it more business like, you just use your fingers or a comb to sweep it to the side and back, like this,” she said. She smoothed Roman’s freshly cut hair to the back and side before picking up a comb and making sure it was all neatly in place. “Which would you prefer today?” she asked.

“Let’s go business like,” Roman answered.

“You’re the boss,” she said, getting him all situated, and removing the cape from him. “Would you like to buy some of the mousse I used in your hair to style it?” she asked.

“Yeah, I think I would,” he said. “And I want one of those combs, too. All I got at home is brushes.”

“We don’t sell the combs, but you can just have one of mine,” she said, smiling as she took a clean one out of the blue Barbesol disinfectant all her combs and clips sat in on the small countertop mounted just below her mirror. She dried it off before handing it to him.

“Thanks,” Roman said as he stood and stuck the comb in his back pocket.

The girl came back and handed him a small blue and white bag with the mousse in it. “Here you go,” she said. “It’ll be thirty-six dollars for the cut and the mousse.”

Roman handed her forty five. “Thanks, and keep the change.”

“I’m Steph. Come back to see me anytime you need it shaped up.”

“Thanks, Steph,” Roman said. Then he looked over at Darcie still spinning in slow circles in the chair next to where he’d sat. “You ready to go get some pizza?” he asked.

“Yes, sir!” Darcie called out happily. She slipped her hand into Roman’s outstretched hand and they left the shop with her skipping along beside him.

“I want to marry him,” Steph said longingly as she watched him go.

“I think you’re a little too late,” one of her coworkers said, laughing. “He’s got a daughter and they were talking about her mom.”

“Yeah, but damn. That’s a beautiful man. I wonder if he’s got any brothers,” Steph said.

“You can ask if he comes back to get his cut freshened up. You did a good job, he looks great,” her coworker said.

“Thanks. But he’d look great even if I’d shaved his head.”

~~~

“Anybody want another burger?” Maia called out from the kitchen.

“I’ll take one!” Lazarus answered.

“Oh, come on!” Riley yelled at the T.V. “That was clearly not a fumble! How can you fumble if you haven’t got control of the damn ball?”

“These refs need some damn glasses!” Lucas agreed as he dipped a curly fry into the river of ketchup on his plate.

“Here ya go,” Maia said, walking into the living room and handing Lazarus a paper plate with a cheeseburger on it.

“Thanks, Maia. ‘Preciate you,” Lazarus said, smiling up at her.

“You’re welcome,” Maia answered, taking her seat on the couch beside Riley. She swirled her own fries through a mixture of ketchup and mayo, she smiled when Riley leaned over for her to give him a bite. She placed the fry in his mouth then pecked his lips when he lingered for a quick kiss.

“Bastian still sleeping?” he asked as his eyes returned to the football game they watched.

“Yes. He’ll be out for at least another thirty or forty minutes if he stays on schedule,” Maia answered.

“Maia, you got any more fries in the kitchen?” Lucas asked.

“Too many,” Maia answered. “I’ll get you some.”

“Naw, I can get them. You sit,” Lucas said.

“I want some, too,” Cristie said.

“Well, come on, then,” Lucas said, waiting for her to get up and walk in front of him.

“Use your damn eyes, man!” Riley yelled at the T.V. again and Maia chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“You. Relaxing. I cannot believe you think getting worked up over a football game is relaxing,” Maia teased.

“It is, though! Isn’t it?” he asked Lazarus who was working on his third burger. Everybody else had had two, but Lazarus always did eat more than