Page 14 of A Simple Regret

I nod as he extends his hand. “We heard you were back in town, and Linda sends this and her regards for not being able to welcome you properly. She’ll drop by soon to say hello.”

I take the offered jar of bright red jam and smile. Strawberry rhubarb.

My favorite.

“Thank you so much,” I reply, my voice not quite sounding like my own as emotions flood my chest.

“You still like it, right?”

I nod, offering a watery smile. “I do.”

“Great. Now, I also hear you’re the woman to see about a haircut.”

“Oh,” I reply, shocked by his request. “You don’t have a stylist already?” I ask. It’s code we don’t poach clients from other stylists, especially from the same salon. Now, if a client comes to you, then it’s okay, and even though that’s exactly what Tyson is doing, it still feels wrong.

“I’ve always just dropped by as a walk-in, and whoever can squeeze me in that’s who I see.”

“Oh, all right. Yes, I can do that,” I reply, walking over to my station and placing the jar of homemade jam on the counter. “Do you prefer a wash before your cut?”

He nods eagerly. “Best part of the cut.”

I crack a smile. “Agreed. Come on over to the wash station.”

When he gets situated in the chair, I lean him back and turn on the water. Once it’s the right temperature, I start wetting and then scrubbing his hair. I steal a quick glance, and while Tyson has aged a bit in the seven years since I last saw him, he’s still the exact same. Salt-and-pepper hair, green eyes, and a friendly smile. All four of the Miller children are the spitting image of their mom, but Camden’s hair was always the darkest blond.

Back in my chair, I place the cape around his neck. “What are we doing today?” I ask, holding his gaze in the mirror.

He smiles softly. “You look just the same,” he murmurs softly. “As beautiful as ever.”

My throat threatens to close completely, and it’s suddenly very difficult to draw oxygen into my lungs. “Thank you.”

“I hear you have a son.”

My heart skips a beat at the mention of Theo from the family I thought, at one time, my kids would all be a part of. Clearing my throat, I reply, “I do. Theo. He’s three.”

“We’d love to meet him sometime.”

“You would?” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.

His eyes are gentle, but I can see the tinge of sadness. “Of course we do. Your dad is so proud of you and him. He talks about you both nonstop.”

“Oh.”

“It wasn’t our place, dear.”

My eyes are filling with tears quickly, threatening to fall unchecked. “What wasn’t?”

“To tell Camden. I don’t think he ever knew. He talked to your dad through the parts store, but I believe they’ve kept it mostly professional.”

I nod, understanding completely. I don’t think I’d want to hear all about Camden’s life from my father either.

“Anyway, we’d love to meet him sometime, but we understand if that’s too much,” he says, continuing to hold my gaze through the mirror. “We’re in no rush.”

“No, I’d like that.”

“Good. We’ll try to set something up,” he replies, relaxing in the chair a bit more. “Now, how about that haircut?”

Giving him a wide smile, I settle in and prepare to do my thing. “Let’s do it.”