The Look of Love. Crystal B. Bright

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      Gunnar put his fists to his hips. From his stance, Eboni knew he had some objections to her proposal. Whatever he said, she would have an argument to spin it around.

      “Fund-raiser? My mom is in the hospital, business has slowed, and you want her to raise money to help the center?”

      “I would only ask for the tips.”

      “From everyone?”

      Eboni nodded. “Yes. I would even do hair for one of my shifts and give all proceeds to the center.”

      “You can’t ask the other employees to give up their money for your endeavor.” Gunnar moved away from her. “I don’t approve of this.”

      It felt like flames engulfed her entire body. The throbbing that filled her head wouldn’t be going away with just an aspirin. “You have no right to tell me what I can do here. I asked your mother and she gave me her approval, and she’s the one who owns this place. Like I said before, you’re simply a distraction.”

      “I can see now that the demands of this place put her in the hospital. My mother needs to rest. That’s not going to happen with selfish people around her.” He scanned the shop. “No, I’m going to do what my mother hasn’t been able to do. I’m selling this place.”

      Chapter 4

      Eboni glared at Gunnar for what felt like twenty years before she sprang into action. She pulled out her cell phone from her purse and activated the speed-dial number to Elizabeth. She paced in order to keep somewhat calm.

      As soon as she heard a click on the other side of the line, Eboni launched into an attack. “Queen, I hope I didn’t wake you.”

      Eboni heard heavy footfalls, turned around, and caught Gunnar charging toward her.

      “Is everything okay at the house?” Queen Elizabeth sounded very wide awake considering. Her medical prognosis must be keeping her restless.

      “The house is fine. But if you leave your business up to your son, he’s going to try and sell it from under you.”

      A pause lingered before Elizabeth said, “Put him on the phone, please.”

      Eboni held up her phone to Gunnar. “Your mother would like a word with you.”

      Gunnar’s jaw flexed before he accepted the phone. The brief graze of his fingers against hers ignited a small spark in her that quickly died down as soon as he turned his back on her.

      “Hey, Ma.”

      Eboni tried to hear what his mother said. Queen Elizabeth couldn’t be classified as a yeller. When she spoke, people couldn’t help but to be wrapped up in her every word. From the stiffness of Gunnar’s body, he must have fallen under that same spell.

      “You don’t understand.” Gunnar paused. “But I made the decision because of you and your health.” He waited again. “Yes, I know you’re a grown woman.”

      Eboni snickered. When she did, Gunnar glared at her. He shook his head and paced back and forth in front of the styling chairs.

      “Yes, ma’am.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll leave running the business to Eboni. I’ll take a step back.” His voice lowered. “I love you too.” He handed the phone back to Eboni. “She’d like to talk to you.”

      Eboni took the phone from Gunnar. As soon as the device left his hand, he stomped to the back door and pushed his way through it on his head full of steam.

      “Hey, Queen.”

      “Although I appreciate you keeping me in the loop about Gunnar’s misguided plans, don’t you ever undermine him by running to me like a child.”

      Elizabeth’s harsh words forced Eboni to sit down in one of the chairs. The air deflated out of her lungs and her head weighed as much as a tank.

      “I thought you would want to know what Gunnar had said. It’s not right for him to try and sell the place that you worked so hard to build.” Elizabeth had to see that Eboni came from a good place with her intentions.

      “Gunnar and you are a lot alike. You’re both passionate, you two want to see results, and you think you know what’s best for everyone. I appreciate both of you. If you want to be a business leader, you’re going to need to learn how to communicate with stubborn fools like Gunnar. It’s easy to lead when you have folks who are rooting for you. It’s a challenge to sway an adversary.”

      As usual, Elizabeth’s wise words rang true.

      Her friend continued. “Put on your big-girl panties. Apologize to my son for putting me in the middle of this and do what you two do best. In the short amount of time since you left the hospital, I doubt you two have had much sleep. Why don’t you go home and get some rest. Calmer heads will prevail.”

      Eboni smiled. “Yes, ma’am. You rest your nerves.”

      “Oh, no. Now I’m wide awake thanks to all this drama. I’ll see you two later. Love you.”

      “Love you too.” Eboni disconnected the call and took a deep breath.

      Damn Queen Elizabeth for being right. Eboni secured the shop. She locked the back door and then headed to Gunnar’s rented monstrosity.

      Like before, he jumped out of the vehicle in order to open the door for her. Damn his home training.

      As soon as she sat down and closed the door, she took a deep breath to apologize to him as Queen Elizabeth had instructed. Before she could get a word out, Gunnar spoke.

      “I apologize for trying to take over the decisions of the salon,” he began. “As my mother so succinctly stated, this is her shop, not mine.”

      Eboni liked this kinder, gentler side of Gunnar. She knew that the man still had his fighter side inside of him that he didn’t mind pulling out when needed.

      “Thank you.” Eboni nodded.

      Gunnar put the SUV in gear, but didn’t move. He turned to her and waited as though anticipating something.

      Eboni shook her head. “Your mother told you she wanted me to apologize too, right?”

      He nodded.

      Busted. She didn’t think she’d done anything wrong, but she wanted to be a woman of her word. “Fine. I’m sorry for calling your mother on you. We’re both grown-ups. We should know how to resolve issues without a mediator.”

      He shrugged. “You’re right.” Then he backed out of the spot and headed to the road. “And you’re not sorry.”

      She started to open her mouth to refute his claim.

      “You’ve apologized. But there’s absolutely nothing sorry about you.” He scanned her with a slight smile before driving back on the road.

      “Did you just flirt?” Eboni crossed her arms and pressed her back against the door as he drove.

      “Nope. СКАЧАТЬ