Love on the Plaza

By Laura M. Baird

Jen Cabrera hasn’t always had it easy, but nothing worth having ever comes without effort. And she’s worked hard to achieve her dream of owning a thriving salon in the heart of Boise. Pair that with good friends and season tickets to her favorite hockey team, and Jen’s life is complete. Only now she’s ready for someone special to share it with.

Gino Bianchi is a former hockey hotshot who’s moving into management, and Boise offers the perfect opportunity for the next phase in life. His instant attraction to salon owner and team sweetheart, Jen Cabrera, has him wondering if there’s enough to build on.

Jen won’t simply roll over in conquest, and Gino realizes her trust is his most important acquisition to date. Fire and ice collide in this steamy romcom, and it’s explosive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight
• Release date: Feb 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9780369507716

Laura M. Baird

Wife, mother, Army veteran, dental hygienist, and published author. I strive to write contemporary romance full of emotion, laughter, and suspense ... along with a variety of heat! When not reading or writing, I love spending time with family in the Pacific Northwest.

Book preview

Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2023 Laura M. Baird

ISBN: 978-0-3695-0771-6

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: CA Clauson

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

To confident women who go after what they want no matter the obstacles. Never let that fire burn out.

LOVE ON THE PLAZA

Laura M. Baird

Copyright © 2023

Chapter One

Gino Bianchi wasn’t sure what to expect when he opened the doors to Hermosa tu, the salon at the plaza, but it certainly wasn’t to hear Carmen, the opera, blasting in Italian throughout the spacious area with better acoustics than many theaters. And he certainly didn’t expect to be treated to the powerful voice coming from somewhere in the back, singing flawlessly. In Italian, no less.

Obviously, the door’s chime hadn’t been heard by whomever owned the spectacular pipes, because Gino stood there enjoying the performance for a few moments, and still no one appeared. Either they weren’t concerned with just anyone coming in and possibly taking off with any items, or there were security cameras that would alert the singer to the goings-on in the shop.

While alone for the moment, he took advantage of inspecting the salon, admiring its colorful palate of reds, oranges, and cranberry with black accents here and there. Perfect fall decor for the end of October. Seeing as the salon just opened at 9:00, according to the hours posted, and he was more than likely the first customer, he took note of its pristine condition. Four stations filled the center of the room, and two wash sinks and chairs were situated beyond those. Various paintings and prints tastefully decorated the walls and a bank of shelves just inside the door showcased products. Glancing toward the back again, he noticed open doorways on either wall, no doubt leading to storage and a break room.

Gino ran his hand through his unruly hair, wondering if this had been a mistake and the guys were pulling one over on him. The guys being the players with the Idaho Steelheads, Boise’s hockey team located in the heart of downtown. Considering their arena was located opposite the salon, many of the guys swore by Jen’s work. Jen being the owner of Hermosa tu, which meant ‘beautiful you’ in Spanish. And considering Gino had only arrived in town yesterday and had a quick introduction to the team, they were quick to tell him about Jen after asking about a barber.

She’s better than any barber you’ll find, seemed to be the consensus.

On his first official day, he needed to appear sharp and ready for duty as the new assistant GM—general manager. He was taking a chance that Jen would even have an opening for him, given most places rarely took walk-ins anymore.

Was he hoping to use his sway as faculty with the team? He’d be lying if he said it hadn’t crossed his mind. At the very least, he’d book an appointment, hoping it’d be soon. Like, within a week, soon.

Just as he started toward the back where the voice emanated, a woman twirled her way into the main area, a mixing bowl in hand which she stirred with her full concentration. She continued to sing before realizing he was present, and Gino was awed by her appearance. In the split seconds he had time to observe before she put those lungs to use, he took in the sight of her burgundy hair dancing around her shoulders and down her back. Her curvy body that was wrapped in black capris and a lime smock covering whatever blouse she may be wearing. And then there were the bright yellow sneakers adorning her nimble feet.

He knew he should’ve made his presence known, but the sight of this bronze-skinned beauty rendered him mute and frozen in place.

Being mute, however, was not a concern for her. As soon as she looked up and met his gaze, her eyes widened, and she let loose a blood-curdling scream any actress in a slasher film would envy, drowning out the music. The mixing bowl flew out of her grasp in one direction while the brush sailed directly toward him, splattering his dress shirt with splotches of lilac coloring.

"Dios mío, ¿qué carajo? How did you get in here?" Air rushed in and out of her, and Gino couldn’t take his eyes off the rise and fall of her ample chest.

Until she snapped her fingers in rapid succession, breaking the spell. Hello? Who the hell are you?

Gino blinked and shook his head, finding his voice. I’m Gino, and I came in through your unlocked door.

The woman peered around him, squinting at the door