Page 8 of One Last Chance

I look over at my best friend with a smile. “Thank you, Sophia.”

“Hon, you’re gorgeous, so flaunt it.”

I giggle at that remark.

Sophia looks at her watch. “Shoot, we need to go. I promised Domenic I’d be there early to help with the food prep, and I’m late.”

“Sure, let’s go.” I grab my bag and denim jacket off the bed, and we head out.

CHLOE

Present

The bell chimes above the door as I enter Megan’s hair salon. Sophia was certain I had the address before she left the lodge, to be sure I would turn up.

All heads spin when I push the door, the little bell sounds, and I suddenly feel my cheeks heat. I’ve never liked attention, and I guess that’s why I’m the one behind the lens and not in front of it.

“Chloe, over here,” Sophia shouts, waving her hand at me.

“Oh my God… is that you, Chloe?”

I release the door, letting it close with a click, and plant a fake smile on my face as I walk over to Sophia and Megan.

“Yes, it really is,” I reply, tucking my hands in my jeans, feeling quite awkward at the moment.

I’m suddenly pulled into a pair of arms and am being squeezed tightly. “You look amazing,” Megan says as she pulls back and looks at me at arm’s length. “Let me get a good look at you.”

“You see, Sophia, Megan thinks I look amazing,” I tease while grinning at her.

Megan’s the one who looks amazing. She has beautiful red hair, tied up into a bun, and is wearing skinny black jeans with a jade green off-the-shoulder top. Her makeup was always flawless at school, and I see nothing’s changed. Her green eyes, touched with a tint of amber, shine back at me as she spins me around.

“Where were you hiding that body, Chloe?”

“Megan, will you just do her hair? You’re embarrassing her,” Sophia says, obviously noticing my pink cheeks.

“I am just complimenting the girl, geez. Here, hon, have a seat.”

I sit in the black leather chair Megan pointed to, and she covers me with the black, silk-like cape to protect my clothing. Running her fingers through my hair, she asks, “So what are we doing here today? Some highlights? A trim?”

I look back at her through the mirror, and reply, “Sounds great. It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to get my hair done.”

“So I see,” Megan replies, then laughs.

An hour and a half later, my hair is looking fantastic.

“Thank you so much, Megan,” I say as I kiss her cheek.

“You’re welcome. It was so great to see you again. Don’t be a stranger, okay?”

I smile and nod. “I won’t.”

“When do you go back to New York?”

“This weekend. I’ve got a meeting tomorrow, then a photo shoot this Saturday. I plan to leave after that.”

“No way, Chloe. You can’t miss the game. It’s Sunday football. Plus, you’re staying this weekend ‘cause we’re going out and having a girls’ night.”

I laugh, raising my eyebrows. “Girls’ night?”

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