Rachel
“IT WAS GREAT TO SEE you again, Raph. Enjoy your date,” I say as I walk my client to the front desk.
Charlotte takes over for me, helping Raphaela check out.
While she is handling the payment for the service I just provided, I clean my station.
I throw the equipment in the basket for Charlotte to take care of afterward.
She is in charge of cleaning the equipment.
I put my nail polish bottles back in the correct order and store the tools I didn’t use on clients back in my drawer.
Noah approaches me after he’s done with his share of tidying up over at his station. “Ready to go?” he asks.
I smile, and that smile says it all. I have an idea. One that my friend won’t like. Not one bit. But it’s an idea I’m going through with, even if he doesn’t tag along. “What would you say about getting a drink?”
“Are you thinking of the sports bar across town owned by a biker with blue hair and his handsome friend?” Noah is interested in Leo. I would have guessed as much, even if he hadn’t complimented his looks, and right now it’s working in my favor.
“That’s exactly what I’m thinking.” If the fucking asshole is going to harass me at my work and break into my house, then I am going to get a drink at his bar. “Besides, Kai has my keys. Alex texted me earlier that he gave them to my ‘boyfriend.’”
“Now Alex is texting you? Where did he get your phone number?” Noah has his worried face on.
“His father gave it to him,” I explain as I grab my bag and put on my coat.
Noah is ready to go, already standing next to me with his jacket and backpack on.
“Let’s go.” I head for the door, and my friend follows me.
“Are we taking the van again?” I parked my car in the salon’s parking lot yesterday and didn’t take it back to the house since I had the van. I press the button on my keys, and the car unlocks with its signature sound, the lights flickering.
“No, we’re taking the Jeep,” I say and start to walk toward my car.
He follows. I love my Jeep. It’s purple with green flames and a row of cute little ducks on the dash.
All of them were given to me by strangers who also loved my car.
My favorite duck is a purple Joker duck with a green mohawk.
He has a little Harley Quinn duck friend that is equally cute.
“Are we getting food now or after the bar?” I consider the question for a minute. It’s still early, and the bar might have some type of food. Plus, I really want to see the biker, not that I will admit it.
“Let’s get food after, on the way to the house.
” Our weekends are always the same: long shifts and book club nights.
Every Friday and Saturday, we read, drink, and have breakfast the next day at my house.
On Mondays, we attend dance lessons, and Tuesdays are for pottery.
Since we are both single, it’s a nice way to spend our time and not feel so alone.
We have each other. A friendship based on companionship.
“Got it. Let’s go.” He closes his door, and I toss my jacket on the back seat before I climb into the driver’s seat and start the car.
Noah connects his phone to my car, and music starts playing as I drive.
He takes his Kindle out of his backpack and starts reading the next chapter of his book for the short ride to the bar.
It’s all about routine with him. When one of us is driving, the other one reads or listens to music.
It’s predictable but also comfortable to be able to sit in silence with your best friend while you’re doing something you love.