“Thank you.” Liv touched her belly and then her hair. “I’m in dire need of a cut but I’m a total worry-wart about the chemicals and smell in salons.”

“It’s okay, I understand. I can come by your place if you’d like. That way you wouldn’t have to worry.”

“Really? Oh that would be fabulous. Do you have time today?”

Tate blushed and nodded.

Matt just watched the interplay and let it settle in. He’d been startled by the revelation but now, he realized, it’d been happening since that first visit at her salon. Damn, she was a good woman, a genuinely nice person.

She ended up cutting Kyle’s, Marc’s and Liv’s hair as well as giving Nicholas a trim. Maggie sat and watched the whole thing and Matt knew he’d hear from his sisters-in-law after Tate left.

“I should go. I’m having dinner with my family tonight.” Tate cleaned up, aided by Matt.

“Ah. I was going to see if you wanted to have dinner with me.”

She froze, blushing again. The best thing about her was that he could tell what she was feeling by her skin tone.

“I’ll be at our bench tomorrow. You can have lunch with me then.”

He pulled his wallet out and her eyes widened again. “How much do I owe you?”

“Do you think I go door to door hustling haircuts on the weekend for extra cash?” Her hands fell to her hips.

“I…uh, no. But you’re a hairdresser, you performed a professional service. I certainly don’t think you’d do five haircuts for free.” Matt looked to Maggie, who shrugged, also uncertain how to proceed.

It was Liv who broke the stalemate by shoving money into Tate’s hand. “Shaddup. Take the money. I need you to come and do my hair in six weeks at my house and Marc’s too while you’re at it. I feel loads better already. You’re a whiz with the scissors. If Kyle did your lawn or Marc designed a workout, they’d expect to be paid too.”

Tate nodded shortly and put the money in her pocket. “Right then. Listen, I was just in Atlanta to see my brother and sister last weekend. Have you been to Lullaby Rose?”

Liv shook her head.

“I went in to get some stuff for my niece, she’s turning three. Anyway, they’re having a huge sale right now. I know you were out today but they have a lot of great stuff. It’s near the convention center. I’m sure they have a website too.”

Liv’s eyes lit up and Maggie leaned in. “They have boy stuff too?”

“Oh yeah. Newborn to age six. All sorts of stuff.”

Matt hefted her duffel when she readied to leave. “I’ll walk you out.”

“Okay then.” Getting to her knees she accepted a hug from Nicholas. “I’ll see you later, Nicholas.” And said goodbye to everyone else.

At her car, Matt tossed the duffel into the passenger seat. “Thanks for today.” He touched his hair and she shrugged.

“No problem. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He’d wanted to try and smooch up on her but she got into the car before he could make a move. All he could do was wave as she pulled away from the curb.

Back inside, he moved to the couch. “Before anyone asks, yes, I’m into Tate. She seems utterly clueless though.”

“Into? Yeah, that’s a mild word for a man who stared at her like he wanted to devour her.” Liv chuckled.

“She’s not your usual type, Matt.” Maggie bounced Nicholas on her knee.

“What do you mean?”

“Stop being so damned defensive about her already,” Marc grumbled. “She’s not your usual type. She’s a very nice woman, no doubt. But,” he shrugged, “she’s not the perky cheerleader beauty queen you normally date.”

“What was that thing about the money?” Kyle asked.

Liv snorted. “You guys all grew up so sheltered. Tate Murphy is a hardscrabble girl. She came up the hard way. Struggled, worked for everything she has. She’s defensive because of what she comes from.”

“And how do you know? You grew up pretty well.”

“I did, yes. And I’m lucky. Tate’s sister-in-law Susan was tight with my sister. When they ran wild together anyway. Susan mellowed long before my sister did. Anyway, I know Susan pretty well and through her, I know a bit about the Murphys. It’s going to be hard for you to get her to let you in, Matt. She’s been hurt, a lot. And, I’m going to say it because it’s my place to say things everyone is thinking but no one says—the looks thing is going to be a problem.”

“What looks thing?” Matt thundered.

Liv waved it away. “I’ve known you a long time, Matthew. Don’t play games. You go out with women who are drop-dead beautiful. Even I was intimidated when we dated. She’s a beautiful person, that goes without saying, but she’s not like the others.”

“Are you saying she’s ugly? Because that’s f**ked up, Liv, in addition to being untrue.”

Liv snorted and put her hand on Marc’s arm to keep him from speaking. “I’m not saying she’s ugly. I know her. Not as well as I’d like to, she seems much more reserved around me than with other people. But enough to know I think she’s beautiful. But here’s what they’re going to say, Matt—she’s short and fat and from the wrong side of town. She’s after your money and your name. You’re tall, handsome and you come from money and an influential family.” Liv shrugged.