Page 11 of Power Plays & Proposals

"What did I miss?" Charlotte asked me.

"She wanted me to cut Penelope's hair into a short bob, Penelope only wanted a trim. Mr. Hockey came to the rescue."

"And asked you out to lunch, don't forget that."

My boss sighed. "Lia, this whole mess could have been avoided if you'd simply done the cut. Hair grows back, the kid would have gotten over it."

Erin hung up her phone call. If she were in a cartoon steam would be blowing out her ears. She whirled around and lifted her phone high.

"Hey besties, you won't believe the day I've had. I've never had such a bad experience. I booked a cut for my daughter and not only did she waste my time going through the motions of washing hair, but seriously she shampooed for twenty minutes, it was creepy. Then she refused to do the cut." She turned the camera to look at me before turning it back on herself. Looking at my boss she demanded, "I want her fired now!"

My boss looked at the phone, Erin, and then me. "Pack up your things, Lia. You're done."

"But—"

"No. You're fired."

Erin smirked and went back to her phone. "That's how it's done besties. Demand respect and get things done."

She put her sunglasses on, gave a kiss to the camera, and then strode out the door.

I turned to my boss. "You can't seriously be firing me over that. I was protecting Penelope from that witch."

Charlotte nodded. "Seriously. Mr. Hockey even paid you for the service."

I noticed the cash Nate had handed her, conveniently, was no longer visible. My boss's phone started pinging and she pulled it out of her pocket. She frowned, and as it kept pinging, showed me the notifications. The salon was getting hammered with one-star reviews.

"You're done Lia. You're a liability, and the only way for me to salvage this is to tell people you're fired."

"Can I at least get my last check?" I asked.

"You owe me the booth fee for this month."

"It's only the second."

"With all this bad press I'll be lucky if I can find someone to take it over in February." Priscilla retreated to her office closing the door behind her.

I started cleaning up the things I'd used for Penelope's trim, and Charlotte grabbed a broom to sweep. We were silent, and I appreciated the moment to gather my thoughts. When I woke up this morning, I never would have thought I'd lose my job, and now probably my apartment; I especially never thought Super Dad would end up being Mr. Hockey. Hannah had been absolutely right about his protective streak, and it made him all the more attractive. Not that it would help me pay my rent or my bills. . . I'd probably have to take Maria up on her offer to sleep on her couch.

Charlotte put her arms around me and gave me a hug. "You'll find somewhere better. Put me down as a reference."

"Thanks, Char." I returned the hug before getting my things from my locker, and returning to where Charlotte stood by my case. "I'll miss working with you."

"Oh, you aren't getting rid of me that easy. I want to hear all about your date with that hunk at book club."

"It's not a date."

"It’s food and he’s paying. I’ll see you in three weeks at The Book Garden."

Walking out of the salon with my case, I hurried home to my little apartment. The temperature was dropping quickly, and I felt the cold wind down to my bones. I lugged the case up three flights of stairs, and I was sweaty and out of breath by the time I reached my door. A bright yellow eviction note was taped to the chipped white paint above the number twelve.

"No, no, no," I muttered to myself as I opened my door and put the case inside. I locked my door, and hurried to my landlord's door down the hall, before knocking on it.

Benny opened his apartment door only as far as the chain would allow.

"Benny? Why is there an eviction notice on my door?" I asked.

"Lia, your payment is late."

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