Story
“Should I have permed my roots?” My client asked me after I blow-dried her hair.
“Absolutely not. Many people think it helps us braiders but it’s easier to grip thicker roots. I just can’t believe you were turned down by another braider because you have a blunt cut.” I started sectioning her hair and getting my braid gel ready.
“I had never heard of anything like that. My friend told me to search for braiders in my area on Tik Tok and your page came up. I just knew I’d love your services better.”
“I’m glad you’re here. Hopefully, this is a start of a new stylist/client relationship.” I happily told her.
She was my last client and my longest. Her style selected was large heart shape knotless braids.
These were going to look amazing and couldn’t wait for the ending result.
I offered her some cute jewels to put on the braids.
She selected the gold set. It was going to look nice against her brown hair.
Regan and Wren were working today as well.
They only had one client scheduled then they were off.
They started before me, so they would finish before me too.
I was a wiz at locking up the salon now, so it was no problem when I worked by myself.
The day was slow with only two clients. I would be out of here no later than 4pm.
“Are you going to Blake and Siren’s housewarming party?” I asked Regan.
“I sure am. You know I love them and Brian was their realtor. He will be there as well.”
Brian was Regan’s fiancé and he was a hell of a realtor.
“I forgot to tell you. Guess who I ran into last week at Tapper’s Jewelry?”
“Who?” Regan and Wren asked at the same time.
“Halo.”
I answered and they both gave me the reaction that I knew they would.
Siren and Hendrix already knew the story.
I thought the two would go off and want to hunt Halo down.
But they stunned me when they wanted to know everything that happened.
Hendrix even asked me to describe Halo’s facial expressions.
Siren could barely say anything, but she kept screaming.
When I saw Halo at Tapper’s my stomach flipped repeatedly. Out of all the people I did not think he would be who I’d see. I knew we would somehow see each other considering Blake and Siren. But that day was unpredictable. I thought if I ever saw him again that I would want to burn him too ash.
But for some reason I just wanted to keep talking to him. I wanted to know what he’d been up to and how he had missed me. Sounds conceited but it was the truth. Halo changed, he was mature, his confidence was not questionable anymore. Although he never moved like he had none.
But he made you think if he was mild mattered or with the shit. Now, from head to toe, you knew Halo Stone was with all the noise. I always felt safe with him but that day I felt untouchable. When we went to eat, I noticed how I still affected him. Halo listened to every word I said.
His jokes, laughter and personality were still present. The way he would ask if I needed anything or would watch me when he thought I wasn’t looking. I got the same butterflies as I did when we were together.
“Let me tell you, my cousin hangs with Dallas and Aspen from time to time. That thot is nothing to be taken seriously. She’s easy, Halo is a man and we all know how they like to have their egos stroked.
Because Dallas pretends that he walks on gold, that’s why he even fucks with her.” Wren told me after I told them everything that happened when I saw Halo.
Regan chimed in. “I agree with Wren. Although I hate that he hurt you and I still want to step on his chest and crack his ribs. Now that time has passed and everything is settled. You and Halo were nineteen. But he was mentally and emotionally fourteen.
A chick like Dallas comes a dime a dozen. They think their looks and what’s between their legs is the answer to all. He cheated and that’s where he messed up but remember I told you. In this situation you were not the problem nor is turning yourself into a chick like Dallas the answer.”
“I know and I have thought about it a lot over the years. Dallas and women like her do not worry me. I do not want a man who is weak when it comes to lust. That may be a lot to ask of a nineteen-year-old. Some men would not fall for the trap, and many would.
Halo was one that did. He lost me because of it. I will say this. I did not expect to react the way I did when I saw him. But I get reminded of what he did, and I feel back to square one.”
“Girl that’s the tricky thing about love. It will tear you and have you battling with your heart and brain.” My client added and she was right.
This was part of the reason I loved doing what I do.
Black women talking, sharing experiences, giving advice and opinions was as important as oxygen.
We kept talking about a mix of things. Wren finished her clients first and Regan was right behind her.
They both left and I was on the last two braids of my client.
“Oh my gosh! I love it! Ooooweeee girl!”
I almost burst a gut when I handed her the mirror and she saw her hair. After a few minutes, she finally was ready to pay her remaining balance, and she gave me a nice tip. I walked her to the door then locked it once she was gone.
All I had to do was sweep and straighten up my station. The Weekend album DAWN FM played on a good volume as I cleaned up and drunk some of my smoothie.
“I know you fuckin’ lying.” I stopped and whispered to myself when I turned around and saw Halo walking towards the door.
He hit the alarm to his ride then smiled when he saw me. His dimples and those unique colored eyes both lit up. He has not been here in almost three years as a client.
“What are you doing here?” I asked him when I unlocked the door.
He had a grey and blue head wrap on his head with an orange hoodie and light denim jeans.
“I’m here to see you.” Halo answered as he walked inside.
I locked the door then said, “Couple of questions. One, how did you know I was here? Two, did you know that we’re closed?”
“I always know where you are boo and I know y’all closed. I’ll pay an after-hour fee, but I need you to do my hair.”
I massaged the bridge of my nose with the broom in my other hand. “Halo, I haven’t done your hair in three years. Go to whoever you’ve been going to. And please stop watching me. It’s creepy and a violation.”
He walked closer to me, “I do not watch you. I said that I always know where you are. That doesn’t mean I watch you. I just know how to find out where you are if I need to. The person who was doing my hair doesn’t have any openings. Since you and I are---
“Nothing Halo. Yes, we ran into each other and went to go eat. But we left it at that, we are nothing. Please do not think we are about to go back to normal. We’ve lived our lives separately for three years.” I came off harsh because of how weak he was making me in the knees.
The smell of his cologne, his voice, that right green eye and left hazel eye. His smile, dimples, the swag in the way he dressed, and posture was taken over me. It ticked me off because I was turned on and wanted to kiss him.
“Story, I know we haven’t been anything in three years, believe me I do.
That’s how long I been living this thing called like a fucking robot.
They kind of nigga I am, do you honestly think I could see you again and leave it at that?
I can’t just walk away from you. I never have even after all time.
” He grabbed my pink finger with his. “Can you do my hair boo, please?”
Lord Jesus I was powerless whit him begging me. He knew it too. Halo bit his bottom lip and squinted his eyes at me.
“I’m not leaving Story so you might as well. Here.” He let me go and took out a knot of money.
I watched him peel off four-hundred-dollar bills.
He placed them on the table at my station then he took his head wrap and hoodie off.
I quickly licked my lips from looking at him in a white beater.
His strong arms, tattoos and chocolate skin made me soaked between my legs.
All that long hair was full, hanging and crinkled from his braids being taken out.
“I want another two hundred.” I demanded as I snatched the money off the table. I thought I was really doing something by saying that.
But all he did was release a sexy laugh, took his money back out and gave me three hundred. He gave it to me like it meant nothing then to top it all off he looked me dead in my eyes and spoke.
“You know what, here.” He pointed the knot at me.
There was no way he was seriously handing me a wand of hundreds. “If I take it then I swear I am keeping it.”
“I ain’t neva played with you about no money. But if you keep it then I want full service. Like you used to give me.”
I laughed, “See! I knew there was a catch! Halo, I am not kissing on you!”
He copied my reaction then said, “We can leave the kissing off. But I want everything else and don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
I looked at the money then at him and I snatched it from his hands. “Deal but this is the only time I’ll do your hair. Go back to where you were going to.” I put the money in my purse.
“Bet.” He agreed and went to the wash bowl.
The funny thing is, we both were trying not to grin like clowns. I know I was biting the inside of my jaw and Halo kept cracking his knuckles. I got the shampoo, conditioner, and protein treatment that I use on him. Once the water was at the perfect temperature he leaned back.
“Come now.” He coached with his arms open.
When we were together, I always straddled his lap while I washed his hair. I blew out of my mouth and got on his lap. My heart was pounding and I got chills all over. Halo’s strong arms went around my waist. Then his big hands went up my back and down my waist.
“Shit I miss this.” He whispered low and gripped my waist as if he did not ever want me to move.
“Me too.” I couldn’t believe I confessed that. My mouth had a mind of its own.