“We’re out. You need anything else before we go?” While East was working on Asako, Dawson, Poole, and Hawk had been finishing their clients and preparing to leave. East looked up and around the shop before he addressed Dawson who was heading to the door with his backpack. Poole and Hawk were right behind him. Upon inspection of his shop, satisfied that it was in good standing, East gave them the approval to go.
“Nah, you good. I’ll be late tomorrow but Chuck’s opening.”
“Aight, bet.” The three men filed out one at a time, leaving East alone with Asako. She was grateful her plan had worked out. It was her reason for showing up so late with the hopes of being his last client and the last in the shop with him.
“I guess it’s just us?” Asako wasted no time pouring it on thick. “Should I be worried?”
East was in the process of raising her up when he lifted from the bent position he used to reach her. “Why the fuck would you be worried?” The bass tone he used had Asako reacting in two different ways, her body shuddered while her chest grew tight. She was turned on and intimidated at the same time.
“I didn’t mean it like that. Just that I see you looking at me the same way I’m checking for you. That could be a reason to worry, but in a good way.”
East laughed arrogantly. “You nice. I won’t deny that, but you don’t have shit to worry about other than this cut.”
“Damn, shot down like it’s nothing,” she playfully pouted and he chuckled at how forward she was. East was used to it. “So, you’re really not interested? You must have a girl or something.”
“What I have going on is none of your business. There was just a room full of dudes giving you the attention you’re trying unsuccessfully to get from me.”
“True, but they’re not you.”
“You don’t know shit about me.”
“Maybe not, but I do know what I like. What’s wrong with wanting more of that?” Asako lifted her hand and brushed it down the front of his jeans. “And this?” Before East could respond, the door signaled someone entered the shop. This time it was Joi and the look she gave him had him pausing briefly to see how she would react. He wasn’t sure if she witnessed what had just happened, but it was possible since the shades on the storefront were still up.
“What’s good, shawty?” East addressed her first, hoping to calm whatever thoughts she had. He still wasn’t used to having concern for anyone’s feelings but his outside of his mother and sister.
“Nothing, I figured you’d be done by now.” Her eyes landed on Asako before she gave her attention back to East. Joi had seen the two interact as she passed by the glass on her way to the doorand she sensed something more than a haircut, at least as far as the woman in his chair was concerned. East was East, so Joi decided not to react or jump to conclusions. She couldn’t stop women from wanting him. Hell, she wanted him.
“I will be in a minute.” East appreciated that Joi didn’t trip, so when she was on her way to the wall to take a seat, he redirected her. “Come sit over here.” He motioned to Poole’s station, which was next to his, giving him a view of her while he finished. When she crossed the room and eased into the chair, East winked at her, causing Joi to blush and settle the anxious feeling she had. But that only lasted for a moment before it was ruined by Asako.
“Oh, I see. This must be your girlfriend.” Asako smirked at East before addressing Joi.
“Asako.” She stated her name firmly before her eyes rolled up to East. “Just a client.”
Joi wanted to snatch her up out of East’s chair by the side of her hair that remained untouched by him, but she knew better. She had to trust him, right? As if East was already prepared for Joi to react, he finished the last line of the design he was working on then placed his clippers back on his station so his hands would be free. Just in case.
“We’re done.” He lifted a hand mirror before spinning her chair away from Joi to face the mirror at his station. Asako admired his work, unable to hold back the smile. She hadn’t been thrilled about cutting her hair, but it was the easiest way to get an introduction to East that felt natural. Now looking at the side of her head, she was loving the new look and even considering adding color to the thick curls that remained on her left side.
“Damn, I see you. They said you were the best and this shit is dope.”
“So next time don’t bring your ass up in here doubting me on the humble.”
Asako’s smile forced one to East’s face. It was more about him admiring his work, but her smile was indeed contagious. Joi noticed and rolled her eyes which he caught sight of through the mirror and chuckled before lifting the soft brush needed to remove the remaining hair from Asako so he could remove the cape.
“I didn’t doubt you. I just kindly asked you not to mess up my head.” Asako blushed because he was entertaining her. In her eyes she had him on the hook and that was just what she needed. Somehow or another she had to really get his attention and that wasn’t going to happen while his chick was sitting there mugging the hell out of both of them.
“So that’s on the house, right?” She stood from the chair and Joi didn’t miss the fact that Asako had a body, which was on display. She rolled her eyes again but kept her cool.Trust!
“Forty,” was East’s only response. He had already begun cleaning his station, exhaustion was taking over again and he was ready to be laid up under Joi, hopefully. Asako wasn’t helping that process, but as fine as she was and no matter what Joi was thinking, East wasn’t interested. Women that eager were good for a good nut but would offer that same nut to any man who showed the right amount of potential.Good dick and deep pockets. Game recognized game.
“Damn, it’s like that?” Asako smirked, removing cash from her pocket and handing it over to East. He motioned to the counter on his station with a nod of his head and this time Asako rolled her eyes. But she was determined. With Joi there or not, she was on a mission. Patterson’s warning kept playing in her head.
He’s smart. I can’t get what I need from him, but you can. A man like that has too much dirty money to unload ina bank. Get close to him, get access to the cash, or do the time I conveniently helped you escape. I’m sure I can be real convincing about the woman I caught robbing Judge Adam’s son while tricking off with him. The same son who was beat within inches of his life by the woman’s brother.
“Do you have a card?”
East lifted his eyes through the mirror and looked right at Joi. He could see the tension in her face as he lifted one of his business cards and handed it over to Asako. She examined it with a grin.
“Is this your private number?”
