I said as I tried to keep from being dragged across the strip-mall parking lot. “What’s the rush?” “We got a schedule to keep,” he said. Riley’d had a fool grin on his face since he showed up at my place that morning to take me on what he billed as a mystery date. I suspected that meant more than I was in the mood for when he mentioned leaving Roscoe to play with his sister Odelle’s kids. Riley laughed as he pulled me along. “Come on, girl, quit dragging your boots.” He hauled me to the door of the Mayfield Magic Beauty Academy. “Here we are,” he announced. “You’re getting the full treatment. Hair, makeup, the works.” He noted my unenthused expression. “Come on, Josie. Girls love a Cinderella makeover. Makes them feel better after a breakup.” “Not this girl. Sitting at home with a bottle of apple wine was more my plan.” Just then Paige Bishop came bouncing out of the beauty school with a big smile on her face and squealed, “Riley!” I rolled my eyes at how yet another woman had succumbed to the charms of Wanamaker Happy.
