“Oh. I really don’t need you to?—”
“Don’t be silly, it’s more of a favor to me.”
I reach for any reason not to stay and have my hair pulled and twisted by a stranger, when I have Noah ready to pull and twist it himself, but Cheryl is already tugging me towards the stairs. At the top, she leads me to her bedroom where there is an entire salon set-up, including plush leather chairs and a grumpy turtle neck clad man who I assume to be Darrin.
I pull my phone out to text Noah.
Lottie
Did you know I was being conned into playing barber shop?
Noah
Maybe…
Lottie
You should have told me. We definitely would have had time for that favor.
Noah
Damn. I suppose we’ll have to lean into the anticipation.
Lottie
That’s assuming I’m feeling as generous as I was this morning.
Noah
No matter, I’m always feeling generous, ravenous even…especially now that I’ve had a taste.
“This is sort of my guilty pleasure,” Cheryl says, picking an orange segment from the platter on her vanity, and pulling me from the daydream of Noah moaning between my thighs.“Dressing up for this dinner is always such a treat after all the prep for the festival, and my last chance to really enjoy anything.”
I bite the inside of my cheek against a joke at how she had similar logic for shopping and spa days. She’s been nothing but gracious, and I am mature enough to reciprocate.
“It’s wonderful how involved you stay with the festival, even as things have grown,” I say, smiling at her in the mirror.
“Oh yes, I’m afraid I’m too anxious to let anyone else take over. Which I pay for with sleepless nights and too much wine, but it’s worth it.”
Darrin is currently tugging on my hair, his face still grim. I’m reminded of every makeover montage in every 90s romcom and stifle a laugh. I snap a picture to send Kara while Cheryl is pulled into one of the twelve lookbooks Darrin brought.
Lottie
My Saturday is fine, thanks for asking.
Kara
Oh. My. God. Is that the guy from Princess Diaries?
Lottie
I swear to god if he makes me look like a moose, I’m rioting.
Kara
What are you doing anyway?
Lottie
