Chapter 26 Reopening Surprises
The day has its hiccups: cocoa butter overflowing onto the counter, too much peppermint in products, remaking things we shouldn’t have to, but hours ago, Shida Anala announced to her followers that I’m helping her, which prompted phone calls from out-of-towners asking to make appointments. We let journalists that Bernie vetted come in for interviews and to take photos of the shop. Since then, the traffic hasn’t died down. There’s a line of customers outside, waiting for their chance to enter now that we have a hundred-person capacity. We know a lot of them are here for Issac, but that’s okay because he offers his best smile while suggesting his favorite products in the store. He seems as happy to be here as we are having him here. While Mom’s at the hair-product station creating custom mixes, Lex is doing the same on skin care, and Destiny came in around 10:00 a.m. to help with the cash register. Even Bridget dropped in to organize things she doesn’t have to organize and gently suggest some customers check out our deodorant. But my job is the best one. Four lucky customers won free slots for what we’re calling “the Experience” today, and I get to be the one to put their custom mixes to the test.
I rub balm into a man’s beard, but then I catch his wife’s curious eye through the mirror and hand her the product to finish the job.
She smiles and asks if she’s doing okay while rubbing the balm in circles. By the way her husband’s shoulders fall as he leans back in the chair, I wink and tell her she’s doing it just right. She giggles when he closes his eyes and mumbles something to her in Spanish. I turn away, flush creeping across my face for invading a private moment, and because I can’t help but think about how long it’s been since I’ve had a romantic partner of my own. But then my gaze lands on Mom, standing by the cash register with Pete, throwing her head back in a laugh at something he said. When did he get here? And why is he here…other than to flirt with my mother?
The thought leaves a sour taste in my mouth, and when my customers leave, I rush to wipe down the chair for my next appointment. But Bridget walks over, pokes me, and says, “Should you add the ability to spice up a sex life to the list of what you do here?”
I laugh. “They were really into it, weren’t they?”
“A little too into it if you ask me.” Bridget nods her head in Issac’s direction. “But your Issac…He’s very adorable. And he’s been watching you all day.”
“Really?” I chance a glance at him. My body has been aware of his presence, vibrating whenever I hear his deep voice across the room. There’s a tether between us, every time I turn to look for him it feels like he’s looking for me too. “So, do I have your blessing to keep seeing him?”
“Well, he’s no David,” she says with a wink, reminding me of how different my interaction was with her big sister this morning.
Still, I say, “Bridget, about Wilma…”
Her eyes narrow right before Lex comes up from behind us. “Who’s David?”
“My scumbag of a late husband,” Bridget says, then saunters away before I can try to convince her to have a conversation with my grumpy but obviously hurt neighbor.
Lex raises a brow, asking for the juicy details about David, and I give him a quick rundown. He laughs, then helps me organize the vanity in front of us. “Bridget is right, you know. Issac’s no David. Someone will be lucky to have him, and you better figure out your feelings soon so that someone can be you.”
I throw a balled-up paper towel at him, but he successfully runs from it. When I bend to pick it up, I’m met with the sight of familiar jeans that encase long legs and something else I know more than I want to about.
“Hi, Laniah,” comes a voice I can’t say I’ve missed at all. “I’m next. And I’m excited.”
When I straighten up, Darius, or more importantly, thumbs-down dude, is grinning at me. He doesn’t hesitate to slide into my chair while I open up Google Calendar and read the list of names for appointments. Sure enough, his initials are right here on my screen. Slick.
“It’s been a bit,” he says. “I missed you.”
“Why are you here?” I ask.
“Because I won an appointment.” He runs his fingers through his wavy hair. “Was hoping you could help with the dryness.”
“I wonder how many times you entered to be a part of the free trial, but I meant…why would you come? We haven’t spoken and—”
He cuts me off by saying, “I entered once. I’m lucky like that, and I came for hair care. What can you do for me? Other than bless me with your incredibly stimulating conversation?”
Was that a dig? Is he insinuating that I’m boring?
I hold eye contact through the mirror. “I think I can find someone else to help you.”
He swirls in the chair until we’re face-to-face. “Why did you block me?”
“Is that why you really came? That was weeks ago. Are you…stalking me or something? Because I have nothing to say to you.”
“Stalking?” he asks with a frown. “What kind of person do you think I am?”
“I’m not sure anymore,” I say honestly.
“I think we left off bad for absolutely no reason.”
“That’s quite an apology,” I say, sighing. “Listen, I’m working and need to be on my game. Maybe we can talk another time, but not here. Especially not today.”
Something shifts in his eyes. He leans back in the chair, smiling. “So, you won’t be taking care of my hair?”
“I don’t feel comfortable with that right now, but maybe someone else here can help….”
“That’s bad business ethic,” he says, standing from the chair and scowling down at me. “Maybe I should leave a review on Yelp. Post it on social media, all that.”
This time I’m more prepared for how quick he is to show his true colors.
“Do what you want,” I say. “You’re clearly seeking attention, but you won’t get it from me. Don’t come back here ever again.”
Just as he fixes his lips to respond, Issac walks over. His brows are dipped, mouth tight, as he glances between me and Darius. “Everything all good, babe?”
“Everything is fine,” I say, and give Darius a sharp look. “Right?”
“Yeah. I was just going,” he says before trying to shake Issac’s hand. My best friend just stares at it, and Darius nods, insulted. “I see what it is.”
I hold my breath until he’s out of the shop door. And Issac gets my attention by standing right in front of me, looking down at me with serious eyes. “What was that about?”
But there are customers waiting to speak to him. I can hear teenage girls gushing about him from the other side of the room. The interaction must’ve attracted attention because some older folk are whispering to each other.
“Don’t worry about any of them,” Issac says, tilting my chin so that I’m focused on only him again. “What was that about?”
“That was Darius coming to talk,” I whisper.
Issac’s eyes widen, but I shake my head, tell him we’ll talk about it later. I can tell he wants to fight me on it, but he sighs instead.
“I’m good. I’m just glad you’re here,” I say. He smiles a little, and I bump him with my shoulder. “And you definitely called me babe when you were talking to Darius. Thought we said that was off the list for terms of endearment.”
Issac narrows his eyes. “Some dude is dying for your attention and probably wants his fifteen minutes of fame, and that’s what you’re worried about right now? You’re a piece of work, best friend.”
“And you love it,” I say.
“Sometimes. But I do wonder how much you keep to yourself so you don’t worry me.”
“Maybe some stuff,” I say. “But I’m working on it.”
Issac nods and hugs me. But when he leaves to talk to customers, I release a breath. He’s right. It’s not the only thing I’m worried about. I can’t believe Darius showed up here. I wonder if he’ll come back.
If he really will try to do something nasty to tarnish the reputation of Wildly Green.