Chapter 2
Fiona had barely finished sweeping up her station when Norm stepped out of his office.
“Can I talk to you for a second, Fi?”
Fiona took off her apron and walked to his office.
She adored Norm. He was a heavyset, 52-year-old redhead who was an absolute genius with hair. He’d given her a chance four years ago when she had almost no experience. His salon was popular with all kinds of people, and Fiona loved that about Norm’s.
“Sit,” he said, motioning to an empty chair. Fiona melted down into the black leather chair. Norm also had a flair for luxe decor.
He could be a bit intimidating, she thought. But he was always kind. Today, though, he looked...sullen.
Norm sighed.
“Jesus, Norm, you’re freaking me out.” She suddenly thought Norm was about to fire her, and her heart rate shot up several notches.
“I have some news,” he told her. “Good and bad.”
She nodded for him to continue, squeezing her hands tightly together.
Norm sighed again. “Marc and I are moving.”
After a second, Fiona smiled. “That’s great news! You’ve been talking about moving in with him forever.”
Norm smiled.
“No, he’s been trying to convince me to move in with him, and I finally agreed.”
“Either way, it’s about time,” Fiona said, genuinely thrilled for him. He was a lone wolf, like she was. But cheerful, sunny Marc was his perfect match.
“The bad news…” Norm said, crossing his arms on his desk. “I have to sell Norm’s.”
Stunned, Fiona stared at him. “Where...where are you moving?”
“L.A.,” Norm told her. “With Marc’s daughter about to have the baby, he wants to be near family. And I want to be near him.”
Fiona could immediately feel the tears sting her eyes, but she willed them away.
“Norm.”
“Listen, I’m going to make sure you’re all taken care of. Except Percy, obviously,” he said, glancing sideways at Percy’s chair. “Percy’s on his own.”
She took a shaky breath, steadying herself by gripping the arms of the chair.
“We will figure it out,” Fiona told him, though she wasn’t so sure.
“I talked to Linda down the street, she has room for another stylist or two,” he told her. “Or there are the salon suites. You could always get a room there and go it alone.”
Fiona’s head was spinning. She realized only then she’d never had a backup plan. She just assumed she’d work at Norm’s for the foreseeable future.
“How long do we have?”
“Marc and I are moving in three weeks. It’s sudden, but I had to make sure everything would go through before I did anything final here.”
Panic rose in her belly.
“Three...weeks?”
Fiona straightened in her seat, trying to feel more stable.
“I’ll be able to pay you all for a little bit and I’m working with everyone I can to make this transition okay for you all,” he said. He was being as gentle as possible, she knew.
Usually Norm was all tough love, hurling insults that stung if you didn’t get his humor. But this was different. This, he knew, would hurt her.
“I’ll be honest, Fi. Lynn, Percy, Danielle, Crystal, Marguerite...I’m not worried about them. I think Crystal and Danielle were on the outs anyway.”
Fiona looked down at her lap, knowing she couldn’t stop the tears now.
“But I am worried about you.”
“I’ll be fine,” she said, brushing at her cheek. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll probably rent a room and see my clients there.”
She forced a smile.
Norm nodded, concern on his face.
“Are we okay?”
“Of course,” she said, but she could feel herself pulling away. “I just have to go, I’ve got a color coming in ten.”
Norm said nothing, but she could feel him watching her as she walked away.