Lovers of the Damned Bonus Collection

EXTENDED SCENE HARPER AND OLLIE AT THE SALON

HARPER

Ollie rinsed the last of the dye from Harper’s hair. “Ready for the big reveal?”

Excitement zinged down Harper’s spine. “Hell yeah.”

Ollie nudged him to sit up and toweled most of the water from Harper’s hair. “We’ll have to dry it to get the full effect.”

Harper stood and hurried to look in the mirror. “I like it already.”

Yeah, his hair was usually dark when wet, but he could tell it was different.

He sat in the chair, and Ollie turned on the dryer, brushing Harper’s hair as he worked.

“It’s like being at a spa.”

Ollie giggled. “Really? It’s a standard cut.”

“I guess.” Harper’s face heated.

Ollie paused. “Have you not had a professional cut before?”

“Um, not exactly.”

There was a witch in his coven who’d cut hair, but she never washed or dried it. When he’d moved to Shearwater Landing, he’d—possibly incorrectly—assumed the blow dry would cost extra, and always left the salon with wet hair.

“Well, sit back and let me pamper you.” Ollie seemed to be having as much fun as Harper, and relaxing was surprisingly easy.

Warm air wafted around him and the soothing pull of the brush tugged on his scalp, and Harper forgot his coven for a few minutes.

When his hair was dry, he slid his fake glasses back on. “It looks amazing.”

“Thank you.” Ollie did a little shimmy. “You’re doing all the work pulling it off.”

Harper flushed and looked away from the mirror, his own pleased expression too much to handle. Black hair was such a small change, yet it left him more comfortable in who he was than he’d ever been.

“Can I buy you dinner as a thank you?”

Ollie paused, tiding his station away. “I could be convinced. What kind of food do you like?”

“I’m not picky.” His stomach growled and he covered his face. How embarrassing. He should have eaten more than a piece of bread.

Ollie nudged him. “Don’t worry, I’m starving, too.”

“Maybe we could get burritos somewhere?”

Ollie’s eyes widened. “Yes. Perfect idea.”

His agreement was thrilling. Harper never imagined any of this when he’d planned his escape. His new life hadn’t been tangible, and as much as he wanted friends he hadn’t spent much time picturing them.

“Is there a good place close by?”

Ollie nodded. “If we head back the way we came, we’ll pass right by my favorite burrito spot. At least, it’s my favorite not counting food trucks. We can hit up the night market another time. The couch is calling me.”

Taking food home was ideal. As much as Harper longed to be adventurous, it went against everything he knew. Safety always came first.

What would his life be like if he didn’t have to worry? He couldn’t picture it.

Ollie locked up the salon and led the way along the street, pointing out which bars were a good time and which were stuffy and overpriced. Harper stayed alert, but his mood was much higher than earlier.

“It’s like you’re my own personal tour guide.”

Ollie chuckled. “Where do you work? Or are you studying?”

Harper readjusted his glasses. “I’m working in retail, at this little alternative medicine shop.”

“Sweet. If our days off line up, I’ll take you on a proper tour.”

Thank Satan Ollie didn’t seem interested in alternative medicine. Harper didn’t need questions about the apothecary since he didn’t actually work in retail.

“This is it.” Ollie gestured to a restaurant with large windows and a few small tables.

“Smells amazing.” Harper hurried in, casting out to check for witches one last time.

He was safe, and inspected the menu. The prices worked for his budget, but he had to make sure not to eat out too much.

They ordered and stood to the side to wait for their food, Ollie helping himself to the salsas. “You want some too?”

“Thanks. Nothing too hot.”

“I’m a mild to medium guy. Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”

Their burritos came up quick, and Harper grabbed the bag, thanking the people behind the counter before hurrying out.

“I really should have found a place with an elevator,” Ollie said as they entered their building.

“Too bad we can’t fly into the top floor,” Harper joked.

Ollie groaned. “That would be amazing, except for the fact that flying sounds worse than climbing.”

“Not a fan of heights?”

“Or rollercoasters.”

“I love rollercoasters. There was this fair I got to go to as a kid sometimes, and I’d spend all my tokens on the rollercoaster.”

“No way. All my thrills need to happen on the ground.”

Harper snorted a laugh, relaxing more and more as they got closer to the apartment. When Ollie shut the door behind him, Harper said a silent thank you. Not to Satan, damn him. Just to the universe, he supposed.

His first outing was a success. Hopefully, it was a sign of good things to come.

Ollie kicked off his shoes. “Should we put on a movie? I usually eat on the couch.”

“Let’s do it.”

A cozy dinner with his new roommate was exactly what Harper needed.