Two
“I am so glad that day is over,” Trudi Vargas said to no one in particular as she cleaned up her station. “Because if I had to do one mo’ head…”
“Ah, quit your bitchin’,” Wes Anthony replied. “You know you love what you do and you’re good at it.”
“No, boo boo,” Trudi shook her head, “I’m damn good at it. Get it right, baby.”
The barbers at the Truth Lounge cleaned up for the night as they all prepared for their respective Valentine’s dates.
“Yo, man, what are your plans for tonight?” Wes asked.
“Taking the girl out to dinner,” The lone female barber, Trudi, replied. She was a tall, black woman with a fade better than some men she serviced. She was also openly gay and it made it a point to let every poor sap that hit on her that unless he had a pussy, she was not interested. And even on that note, she admitted she would be oddly curious but still not interested. “Yo, check it. I got Roni some lingerie. I’m about to make her favorite dessert tonight…” She nodded.
“You about to get dem draws, aren’t you?” Wes asked.
“I’m about to have that chick upside down, spread eagle, and praising the Lord Jesus.” Trudi smiled. “What about you?”
“Sent a couple dozen roses to the lady at her job. Then going home and showering the lady with a night she’ll never forget.” Wes smiled. He was a black man with a nice fade and muscular build. He was also co-owner of The Truth. “Other than that, just keeping the wifey happy.”
“I hear that, bro.” Antonio “Tony” D’Amato wiped down his chair.
“What are your plans?” Trudi asked Tony.
“I’m taking the best date in town out to Eleven Madison Park, baby!” Tony beamed.
“Oh word?” Wes replied. “A new girl?”
“Nah, man.” Tony nodded. “Myself.”
The Truth barber lounge was unusually busy for Valentine’s Day. From many patrons coming in to get the best shape-up and fades for their dates to the playing banter between the barbers, it was non-stop. Tony counted the number of heads he did and it was around six. No wonder he was exhausted.
“Ay, yo.” Wes called Tony over. “Check it out, man.”
Tony walked over to Wes standing by the private back entrance and saw Faith and Krista escorted to their cars. His eyes followed her as she walked into the shared parking lot that served The Truth barber lounge and MillionHair salon. He cursed under his breath as he felt his body betray him; his erection pressed against his jeans and his heart thundered against his chest.
He slowly watched her long, ebony hair sway in perfect motion of her hips and ass, as if they were synchronized upon every step. It didn’t help her attire of tight jeans, thigh-high boots, and a white sweater only added to the allure of her.
Krista Allen. He wished he hated her.
Instead, Tony tightly gripped the broom and watched his ex-girlfriend get into her Mercedes – a gift from him – and take off. He couldn’t hate her even if he wanted to.
He’d waited forever to have her, only to let her go when he felt he could no longer trust her. He would love to say he wished he didn’t care, but truth was Tony cared too much. He knew when she’d arrived to work and when she’d left. He had to stop himself from driving past her apartment complex to make sure she was safely at home.
He cared more than he wanted to and it killed him. His brain hated her, his dick still wanted her, and his heart craved her.
Why couldn’t he be like his boys and completely forget about women in the past?
“Do you know what she’s doing for Valentine’s?” Wes asked.
“Should I?” Tony replied with a bite in his voice.
“Don’t shoot the messenger, bro.” Wes backed off. “I thought since you two were friendly again, you would know.”
“Nah, I don’t inquire about that stuff,” Tony shook his head. “I have no desire to know what she does.”Liar.Tony wanted to knoweverythingKrista did. “I hope she has fun tonight.” No, he didn’t. He hoped her date with whoever was miserable as all shit.
“She’s probably still bitter,” Trudi added, “I know how black women can be. We can hold grudges like nobody’s business. Shit, my mama is still holding a grudge against someone from 7thgrade and she’s 54.”
“So, you’re putting yourself into that category?” Tony asked.
