Page 19 of You Saw the Best In Me

KARINA

It’s my first day at the salon, and I’m a little nervous. Texting Maverick was probably a bad idea, even worse to invite him over later, but it’s helped my anxieties. He left me a gift and his number on a napkin, so he had to assume I’d text him, right?

I have no clue what’s going on between us.

One minute, he hates me, and we’re starting a prank war.

The next we engage in a drunken a one-night stand, he’s leaving me gifts and his phone number.

I want to hate him, stay away at all costs and protect my fragile heart, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to sleep with him again.

It’s on a loop in my mind, the way our bodies did something so fucking perfect together, and I’m hopelessly stuck thinking about him way more than I’d like to be.

I’m fucked.

He’s set the boundaries, though, ensuring we don’t let it happen again, and asking me to wear more clothes around him. He’s got a lot on his plate it seems, and I have to respect a man who can draw that line in the sand, and put his family first.

I finish getting ready for my first day, and shake off anything that doesn’t relate to hairstyling. I’m on a mission to make a good impression today and focus on work, not Maverick.

Once I arrive, I’m greeted by the ladies I met yesterday, and I’m booked for a more in-depth tour with Alivia. For most of the morning, I’ve taken notes and followed her around.

It’s not an ideal way to spend my time, but she’s thorough and I can respect that.

The final thing she shows me is how to work the computer system, and I have my tab for appointments I book.

She’s got me on for two haircuts and a root touch-up.

I hope to prove myself immediately and make a good impression on everyone here.

Alivia is a stickler for organization, so she has me in the back room looking over all the colors and dyes. She also gave me a catalog to go through; I can either order my own supplies online or drive an hour away to a store where I need a cosmetology license to purchase from.

I decide to make a list and drive there after work. I have nothing better to do besides sit around and think about not fucking my neighbor.

It’s quiet here, and Hannah tells me that we close for lunch from noon to one, so I have an hour before I need to be back.

I’ve never worked in a salon that closes for lunch, and I’m relieved not to be eating next to chemicals and stray hairs.

I grab a slice at a local pizza place, driving aimlessly while eating. I didn’t expect to have time off during the day, so I'm a bit bored.

Next shift, I’ll stop home for lunch. My bank account is hurting badly, and I can’t live off fast food much longer.

When I get back, my first appointment is waiting for me, and he’s a middle-aged man.

“Hi, I’m Karina. I’ll be your stylist today,” I say, leading him to my station.

“Just a little off the top and the back, please,” he says, and I get to work.

“You must be new in town. I haven’t seen you here before,” he makes small talk and smiles at me in the mirror.

“Yes, I just moved a few weeks ago,” I tell him, and we chat for another few minutes until I finish.

“Thank you, Karina. It’s perfect,” he says, handing me a ten-dollar bill.

Good for my first client.

My root touch-up is next, and the rest of my day seems to fly by now that I’ve got customers.

Overall, it was a great first day, and now I’m cleaning my station and going shopping.