Lance stepped to some drawers and rummaged through them, looking for combs, scissors, and a drape to place around her neck. While he was busy, Brad stood next to her and took her cold hands in his.
“Don’t worry, honey. Everything will be fine. I trust Lance, and I know he’ll do a great job. You’ll absolutely love what he does to your hair.”
She took a deep breath and slowly released it. “Thanks for being here with me, Brad. I wouldn’t have been able to do it alone.”
He brought her hands up to his lips while their eyes stayed locked, and he tenderly kissed her knuckles. “I’ll be here whenever you need me, Tyger. Any time at all.”
Lance draped the cape around Breanna’s neck and led her to the back of the room where he washed her hair, then escorted her back to a chair up front. Expertly, he went to work on cutting her hair.
Breanna refused to look in the mirror. She’d wait until he was all the way finished. As he cut, she could feel the weight of her hair getting lighter, and she hoped he wasn’t going to cut it too short.
Brad sat next to her, holding her hand the whole time. His focus was mainly on Lance, and as the minutes ticked by, Brad’s smile stretched and he nodded in approval.
“Oh, yeah,” he said. “This is going to look great on you.”
Now she was anxious to see the results. Brad’s happy expression made her relax. Whenever he switched his gaze to her, the color of his eyes softened. She wished he wouldn’t look at her as if he had feelings, because that gave her hope. Yet, this was Brad. He acted this way with all the women, she reminded herself.
Lance applied some gel to her hair before using the blow dryer. Once he was done, he stepped back and sighed dramatically.
“Once again, I’ve created a masterpiece.”
Brad motioned with his hands for her to turn and look in the mirror. Nervously, she turned the chair. When she saw her reflection, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Had she switched heads with another woman with auburn hair? This couldn’t possibly be her.
Although Lance had taken out the bulkiness, most of her length was still there. And... her hair curled!
“How...” She touched her hair. “How did you get my hair to curl when it’s still long?”
“Oh, my dear, woman,” Lance said, shaking his head. “I know how to mess with hair and make it look beautiful.”
She hiccupped a laugh. “I haven’t had curly hair since I was a young girl.”
Lance explained how he cut her hair, but all she could do was stare at herself, amazed at the remarkable change. He had layered her hair, given her a few bangs, and then tapered the sides. He instructed her on how to use the gel to bring out the curls.
But now her hair style didn’t fit her face. She reached up and slowly took off her glasses... and then sucked in a quick breath. Who was that woman staring back at her? Why did she suddenly think herself – dare she say – pretty?
Now that she knew what she had been hiding all this time, she decided to go all the way. She’d get contacts, new clothes, and even have someone teach her how to use make up.
“Well, Tyger? What do you think?” Brad asked.
“Oh, Brad...” Tears filled her eyes. “I never thought... that I could look this way. I actually look good.”
Brad chuckled and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m happy you like the new style, but honey, you don’t just look good, you look spectacular.”
“I agree,” Lance said.
Breanna held Brad’s gaze in the mirror, silently communicating her gratitude. She didn’t know how to thank him enough. Tears continued to gather in her eyes, and if she didn’t do something soon, she’d end up bawling with happiness.
Quickly, she jumped off the chair and pointed to the seat. “All right, beach bum, it’s your turn.”
Brad shrugged in defeat and sat on the chair. “Okay, if you say so.”
Breanna stood back and watched him talk to Lance. Lance showed him pictures of the latest style for men, but Brad wouldn’t let her see.
Finally, Lance went to work. She couldn’t believe how much hair Lance was chopping off! Deep down in her stomach, a sickening wave began. Would Brad hate her for forcing her to do this? Then again, he’d looked at the pictures and agreed with Lance. The sides of Brad’s head was cut very short, leaving only a half-inch. The length at the top of his head was a little longer. But once Lance added gel and styled it, Brad was... gorgeous. Better looking than before, in her opinion.
“What do you think?” Brad asked as he watched her through the mirror.
“You... take my breath away.” Maybe she shouldn’t have spoken her thoughts, but what else could she do?
