“I certainly can,” Chase said, giving Zeke a saucy grin. “And not only that, but he makes a great s’more.”

“Really?” Rita drawled, sashaying by as she patted her red hair, which had been swept up on one side with a rhinestone clip. Neve had added some extensions that almost matched the fiery red and used the curling iron to make fat curls that almost brushed her shoulders. “I am not opposed to s’mores, Zeke.”

“But you’re getting lava cake. How can I compete?” Zeke teased. “Besides, I came by to ask Chase if she wanted to have dinner with me.”

“Oooh, overlooked for a blonde again. You know that it’s not true they have more fun. Why do you think I went red?” Rita lifted a shoulder and her painted-on eyebrows.

Chase may have pinked a little when Zeke essentially asked her out in front of the older ladies. “Maybe I should go red, then. I mean, you’re looking pretty hot, Rita.”

Rita preened as Neve walked over. “I brought some color for you, Chase.”

“She’s perfect the way she is,” Zeke said.

Chase definitely colored at that remark, her gaze finding Zeke’s before she looked over at Neve. “Thanks for bringing that for me. I want to ditch this platinum, which feels not so much like me anymore.”

Neve nodded. “I think you’re right. And maybe I can talk Olivia into some warm highlights, too. Maybe all us girls need a little pick-me-up.”

“Ooh, yeah,” Rita said, narrowing her eyes at Olivia. “That plain brown isn’t doing her any favors.”

“Hey,” Olivia said, picking up a piece of her hair and looking at it. “I like plain brown.”

“Well, honey, it shows,” said Merle, patting her hand in a conciliatory manner.

“Says the woman with a bird’s nest in her hair,” Olivia quipped.

Martha hooted. “See? I told you, Merle.”

Neve raised her eyebrows, her expression one of delight. “That might be the meanest thing I’ve ever heard Liv say.”

“Well, it’s obvious that you’re not one of her clients. She doesn’t hold back on me,” Chase said.

The ladies tittered, and Zeke regarded Chase a bit too fondly. Friendships had a way of turning into other things. She and Conrad had tilted that way, burning hot and then sputtering when reality dumped an ocean on them. Would Zeke and Chase go the same way? And how would the actress handle the pain if that happened?