The Look of Love Read Online Free

mother being black, she knew he would date outside of his race.
    Eboni had been surprised the day he’d given her the critical ultimatum--go with him while he trained as an ultimate fighter, or break up with him and stay home. It had broken her heart to turn down his offer, but she couldn’t leave. Not just yet.
    “You talked to Gunnar?” Eboni backed up to her chair.
    “I called him last night before his thing.” Queen huffed. “I told him he should stop that stuff and come on home.”
    Eboni collapsed in the chair. “You told him to come home? Why?” Would the man who’d had no problems running from her ten years ago come home because his mother asked him to?
    “Darling, while I’m a touch incapacitated, I’m going to need someone to run the businesses.”
    At that bit of news, Eboni’s spine crumpled enough for her to melt her back into the chair. “I thought you would let me run Press ’N Curl.”
    “You are running Press ’N Curl. Gunnar will do what I do there.” Elizabeth waved her hand as though this aspect meant very little to her.
    “So he’ll have his nails and hair done?” She winked at Elizabeth. The little bit of levity helped her not think of Gunnar.
    Elizabeth gasped. “I do more than just have my hair and nails done.”
    “I know.”
    “Don’t forget eyebrow waxing.” Elizabeth winked.
    Eboni laughed. Queen Elizabeth wouldn’t be a success if she’d been an absentee owner. The woman defined hands-on. When a stylist didn’t show, she had no problem taking their clients.
    “What in the world am I going to do without you at the shop?”
    “You’ll be fine, and Gunnar will be fine in my spot.” Elizabeth nodded. “I’ll eventually have to bring my sons in to the businesses. I was just hoping it would happen later than sooner.” She sighed. “Besides, all three have signed power-of-attorney forms for the businesses in case something happens to me.”
    It made sense to have Elizabeth’s sons to acquire the three businesses when something happened to her. Eboni just hoped Gunnar would stay away from her while she worked.
    “Speaking of bad timing.” Eboni made sure to make eye contact with Elizabeth. “Before you, um, caught the vapors, I was going to propose that we do a fund-raiser for the Oceanfront Community Center. You know that in my free time I volunteer there.”
    “I know. That’s why you haven’t dated in forever and a day.” Queen wagged her finger at Eboni.
    Eboni sighed and ignored Elizabeth’s comment about her sad personal life. “Anyway, besides volunteering, I’ve donated all of my tips to the center too. But it’s not enough. You know business at the salon has dropped lately.”
    Elizabeth’s expression changed to a forlorn one. “I know. I’ve tried drumming up more customers.”
    Eboni held up her hand. “We all appreciate your efforts. That’s probably what landed you here.” She patted Elizabeth’s shoulder. “If the center doesn’t get more money just for operating costs, they’re going to have to close, and at-risk kids will take a wrong turn.”
    Queen Elizabeth regarded her for a moment before a broad smile lit up her face. “That’s what I love about you.” She sat up higher in her hospital bed. “Other people would have asked me for money. Hell, my own family has asked me for money just to go to Vegas. Not you. Not my girl. You want to raise the money.”
    Eboni’s heart beat stronger. “I learned from the best. Working with you, I know that only hard work will get me what I want.”
    “You’re right. You know I’m in for anything to help out that center. I know that after your mother passed, that place--”
    “And your shop,” Eboni interjected.
    “Helped you growing up.” She patted the mattress beside her. “Right now, I’m a little stuck. This is something that needs to happen soon, right?”
    Eboni nodded. When a distressed expression crossed Elizabeth’s face, Eboni had a change of heart. “Look, don’t