to worry about it. “About four months. Life has been… messy.”
He clucked his tongue and ran his fingers through her hair. “Messy?”
“Divorce,” Lex confirmed. “Her ex deserves to marry a gold digger and die penniless and alone.”
“I see.” Lance pursed his lips together and his nostrils flared as he sucked in a sharp breath. “Did the bastard cheat on you?”
Grace nodded. “With our receptionist. It’s all just so predictable.”
“Men suck,” he agreed, his pained expression making her heart ache. She’d forgotten that Lance’s husband had walked out on him just the year before to follow a twenty-something to Hollywood. “The next time he comes in here, it sure would be a shame if someone accidentally mixed his hair dye wrong.”
Lex let out a snort and then covered her nose and mouth with her hand as her eyes danced with amusement.
“It would certainly serve him right,” Grace said. “But I’d hate for anyone to get into any trouble due to a mix-up.”
Lance gave her a mischievous grin. “You’re not up on the latest gossip around here, are you?”
“Uh, apparently not.” Grace glanced around as if whatever he was referring to would jump right out at her. “Catch me up.”
Lance spread his arms wide and grinned down at Grace as he said, “You’re looking at the new owner of Liminal Space Day Spa.”
Grace blinked up at him, shocked. “What about Lily?” she asked, referring to the talented witch who opened the day spa over twenty years ago and had quickly become the most sought-after healing masseuse on the northern California coast. “Where did she go?”
“She’s still here, but now she’s only working part-time with her established clients a couple days a week. She’s spending the rest of her time in her herb garden,” Lance said.
“So she’s in semi-retirement?” Grace asked.
He nodded.
“Good for her.” Grace stood and opened her arms to Lance. “And congratulations on becoming a small business owner. I know you’re going to be a huge success.”
Lance wrapped his arms around her and squeezed. “Thanks, Grace.”
When he pulled back, he eyed her face and frowned.
“What?”
He turned to Lex. “Didn’t you say she’s also going to get her brows and lashes tinted?”
“Yep. My treat,” Lex said. “Aunt Grace has a hot date tonight.”
“Oh, really,” Lance said, pumping his eyebrows. “With who? Carl at the bakery?”
“Carl?” Grace whipped around and gaped at Lance. “What is it with you people thinking I’m going to date a man in his seventies?”
“He’s hot,” Lance said, giving her a look that said she was out of her mind if she didn’t agree. “Like Sam Elliott hot.”
Lex let out a bark of laughter and then slapped her hand over her mouth.
Lance winked at Grace’s niece and the two of them dissolved into laughter.
“Oh, very funny.” Grace rolled her eyes, realizing that Lance had already been filled in on the conversation Lex and Grace had the night before. “Laugh it up,” she said to Lance. “But just wait until I fix you up on a blind date with someone from the senior home.”
“Is he rich? I could go for a sugar daddy for once,” Lance teased as he draped a smock around Grace.
“Sure. Why not?” Then she turned her attention to Lex. “And you… Behave or I’ll sign you up to volunteer at Puppy Love with that chick who is always making heart eyes at you.”
Lex’s eyes widened. “She’s older than my mom!”
“Yep.” Grace snickered. “I bet she could teach you a few things.”
“Gross! Stop,” Lex cried and covered her face with her hands as she shook her head. “This is not a conversation I want to have with my aunt.”
Grace glanced up at Lance. “And yet, she told me last night I need to get a bazillion because I don’t want to get caught with a messy sin cave if things get a little heated.”
“Bazillion?” Lance let out a cackle of laughter. “Lex, who is an expert on all things girls…” He paused and winked at her. “She said you need a bazillion?”
“I did not say that!” Lex insisted, her face turning a dark shade of maroon as she tried her best to not collapse into hysterics. “I said Brazilian!”
“Oh, holy hell. I can’t even get the lingo right.” Grace groaned. “Forget it. I’m just gonna die of embarrassment right here in the spa.”
Lance snickered, ignoring Grace’s outburst. “Whatever you kids are calling it, Lex has a point. Don’t want him getting lost in the bush.”
“That would be tragic,” Grace said. Her side ached with the effort to