Chapter 31 Growth
Growth.
“Ellie! This looks amazing!”
My client beamed, tilting her head in the mirror as she ran her fingers through the sleek curls I’d just finished styling. “I mean—wow. You seriously snapped.”
I smiled, stepping back to admire the final result. “You look gorgeous. That color brought your whole face to life.”
Her grin widened. “I’m texting my ex. Immediately.”
We both laughed, and I handed her a compact mirror for a closer look.
I needed this. After that wild weekend in Houston, being back at EL’evations felt like a welcome return to something that made sense.
“Remember to use the setting cream I recommended with the oil we have up front,” I said as I gently fluffed out the layers framing her face. “Only wash with color-safe shampoo, deep condition regularly, and—”
“Ellieeee?!”
Johanna’s voice cut through the hum of the salon.
I looked up, already bracing myself.
“You’ve got… a gift.”
I sighed, the kind of sigh only stylists and mothers truly master. “Jo, please. Stop—”
I froze when I saw a courier struggling to fit five massive bouquets through the doorway. Roses. Every shade of pink and red. Peonies. Lilies. Eucalyptus spilling over the rims of glass vases.
The whole salon quieted as the courier deposited the last arrangement. I could already hear Esther and two of my regulars whispering behind me.
I walked over slowly, trying to play it cool, but my heart was hammering. My name was on every single card. And sticking out of the tallest bouquet was one envelope. I pulled it out and read it to myself:
“I know this weekend has been crazy, but I hope this will brighten your mood! Thank you for the amazing night together, Ellie. I already miss the taste of you on my lips, the feel of you in my palms, and the smell of you on my sheets. I hope these smell as good as you taste.”
My cheeks ignited as I continued to read it:
“Please join me tonight for dinner at our favorite restaurant. I have a lot more in store.
With all the love in the world. - Puddin’.”
Esther tilted her head. “Okay, but what does it say?”
I was too embarrassed to share, burying my face in the card. Hope, always impatient, snatched the card from my hands before I could stop her.
“Hope—” I warned.
She read it out loud enough for everyone within ten feet to hear. “Thank you for the amazing night together, Ellie. I already miss the taste of you on my lips—”
“Oh God,” someone whispered.
But Hope kept going.
“—the feel of you in my palms and the smell of you on my sheets. I hope these smell as good as you taste?”
She shoved the card into my chest, her face twisted in disbelief. “You slept with El?!”
The salon was dead quiet, but I could still hear the slight shift of uncomfortable clients flipping through magazines, pretending not to eavesdrop.
“I knew it!” Esther shouted.
Chelsea chimed in from her station without missing a beat. “I don’t know why y’all are so shocked. They basically live together.”
“I ain’t shocked,” Esther assured. “I was just waiting on confirmation since Ellie keeps denying it.”
I blushed as she faced me before continuing with a mischievous smile, “So tell us, was it good?”
“Hey,” I warned. “First of all, now is not the time or place. Second, it’s not any of y’all’s business.”
“Not the time or place?” Hope repeated with attitude.
I put my hand on my hip and gave it right back to her. “No, it’s not. The salon is busy.”
“I don’t give a damn!” she snapped. “You think I care about this stupid salon? I’m the reason you even have it!”
Her words were intentionally cruel and designed to sting as she wanted a reaction out of me. I didn’t respond. Instead, I turned and walked away, grabbing the extensions for my next client. She was seated, eyes wide, mouth pressed shut as she watched us.
But Hope wouldn’t let it go. She marched over, snatched the bundle of extensions from my hands, and threw them down on the counter.
“I’m still talking to you!”
I faced her fully. “What is your problem?”
“You!” she shouted. “Why would you sleep with someone after I told you I wanted him?”
“I told you repeatedly that Elliot said no. He’s not interested, Hope. I can’t make him want you.”
Giggles came from behind, and I didn’t need to turn to know it was from Esther and Johanna.
Hope’s face turned crimson. “So you just decided to take him for yourself?!”
“Take him?” I scoffed. “Elliot is a grown man. He makes his own decisions.”
Her eyes burned. “Yes, take him! I bet the only reason he even touched you was because you threw yourself at him. Why else would he want you?”
I stared at her. That one hit deeper than I expected. But I wasn’t going to let her see that.
“I’m not continuing this conversation if you’re going to be disrespectful. Like I said, this isn’t the time or place.”
“Oh, don’t pull the moral high ground bullshit now!” she scolded. “Where was all this discretion when you were fucking someone I told you I liked? Am I not supposed to be your friend?”
Her voice cracked on that word. But she kept going.
“It’s funny. You cry about betrayal and abandonment all the time, but look at you. You betrayed me. It looks like you’re just like your sister, huh Ellie?”
I paused, inhaling deeply.
“What do you want me to say? I’m sorry? Because I’m not. I love El and he loves me. And yes, we slept together. Multiple times. Including last night. What exactly can you do to change that?”
Hope’s face twisted with fury, but underneath it, there was something bitter—something that had clearly been waiting to come out.
“You know what?” she snapped. “We’re not even friends. I never fucking liked you. You’re a drunk, stuck-up, self-righteous, fake bitch. Always playing the victim and always acting like the world owes you something. But it doesn’t.”
“And you’re so obsessed with this drunk, stuck-up, self-righteous, fake bitch that you’re crashing out over the man who eats me out. Es was right. You really do wanna be me.”
Hope’s eyes went wide. “Bitch, I swear—”
Before she could finish the threat, Esther stepped between us like a wall, lifting both hands.
“Alright, alright,” she said dryly. “As entertaining as this little meltdown has been… it’s time to shut it down.”
“I agree,” I said, smoothing my apron as I met Hope’s glare. “Get out.”
She blinked like she hadn’t heard me. “What?”
“If you don’t like me, and we’re not friends,” I said, tilting my head, “then why the hell are you in my place of business?”
Hope hesitated. But I didn’t.
“Just get the fuck out,” I repeated. “Seriously. And don’t come back.”
Her mouth parted in shock. “You’re kicking me out?”
“I am,” I said. “And don’t worry about the expo. I don’t want your energy anywhere near it.”
She stepped forward like she might plead. “Ellie—”
“Now, Hope,” I said firmly. “Get. Out.”
Esther crossed her arms and added, “You heard her. Get your trifling ass out.”
From the reception area, Johanna clapped. Chelsea smiled like she’d been waiting for this to go down.
Hope glared at me, breathing hard, hands curled into fists at her sides. But she didn’t say another word. She turned on her heel and stormed out, the salon door slamming shut behind her.
Silence settled for half a second before someone muttered, “About time.”
I took a breath then turned to my client. “I am so sorry about that.”
She shook her head. “Girl, are you kidding? I just got a front-row seat to the most entertaining episode of EL’evations. You’re good.”
I smiled, finally able to breathe again.
Esther leaned over and whispered, “You want me to write Hope’s name on the banned list?”
I nodded. “Use permanent marker.”
I swallowed down the tightness in my throat and turned back to my client, pasting on a smile I didn’t fully feel. My hands moved out of habit but my thoughts were somewhere else entirely. Still wondered if I could’ve done something differently.
But no.
Not this time.
When my last client left with her freshly styled curls, I finally allowed myself to exhale. I swept up the hair clippings, wiped down my chair, and leaned against the station mirror, staring at my reflection.
Tired eyes. Tight jaw. All the glow I walked in with, courtesy of El, was now gone.
Esther appeared beside me, arms crossed over her chest, a single brow raised.
“You good?” she asked, not unkindly.
I nodded, even though I wasn’t sure. “Yeah. Just… tired.”
“Mmhmm.” She tilted her head, appraising me like a puzzle she already knew how to solve. “Sit your ass down. I’m doing your nails.”
I blinked. “What?”
“Don’t argue with me, El.” She grabbed her kit before I could protest and patted the empty chair at her station. I sat and Esther got to work in silence.
“You should get dressed up tonight,” she said suddenly, eyes still focused on my fingers. “Let El spoil you a little.”
I raised a brow. “Tonight?”
“Yes, tonight. You deserve to feel good after all that drama. Wear that red silk dress. The one that makes him lose his whole damn mind.”
A smirk tugged at my lips. “He really does love that dress.”
Esther nodded in approval. “Exactly.”
Across the salon, Johanna poked her head out from the reception desk. “If you’re getting cute tonight, let me do your makeup!”
“I already called it!” London piped up from the back. “I’ve been dying to try that dewy look on her. With the shimmer liner and glossy lips? Chef’s kiss.”
“She doesn’t want that goddamn granny makeup,” Johanna argued, rolling her eyes. “She needs a smokey eye. Sultry. Sexy. Give the man something to dream about.”
Chelsea leaned over the counter, twirling a comb between her fingers. “Okay, but let me do your hair. You’ve got the perfect twist-out going right now for a French roll.”
Johanna grinned. “Yes! Classy with just a hint of sluttiness. Perfect balance.”
“Y’all are ridiculous,” I muttered, but warmth spread through my chest. These women really weren’t just coworkers, and maybe that was the part Hope never understood.