Page 14 of Only If You Dare

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

I held back my tongue before speaking. “I’ll update you, but every detail won’t be possible if I am to write a good story. That’s what you want more than anything, right, a good story?”

Fredrick went silent again.

“Hello?”

“I want a great story, Desiree. I also want details. Find a way to do them both. I’ve got an incoming call. I’ll talk to you later. And answer your phone!”

The call dropped, and it was all I could do to keep from screaming. Why was I doing this to myself? I thought about the resignation letter. There was still plenty of time to hand it over. I mean, I hadn’t officially taken this assignment. It was forced on me.

Yeah, like you don’t want it.

I sighed and opened the door leaving the confines of my vehicle to head into see Dr. Bradshaw. Three and a half hours later, I came flying out shuffling my way to the Honda Accord that was the only vehicle left in the lot. I had thirty minutes to get across town, and Laney, my hairstylist, had already called to make sure I’d be there. Lord have mercy if I missed this appointment I wouldn’t be able to get another one for three weeks, and that just wouldn’t do.

On my way, I thought about resigning again. I could just tell Julian the truth. The position at the Houston Report didn’t have my best interest at heart and yesterday when I barged in; it was to end my career there.

But then what excuse would you use to see him again?

From the moment I set eyes on Julian, getting to know him was something that interested me. But at what cost? I would just end up falling into my routine of backing away when I felt we were getting too close. So what was the point? Going back and forth over these ideas made me hungry, but I had no time to stop and eat. Deciding to go through with the torture of relaying our every move to Fredrick, I pressed forward pulling into the parking lot of the salon five minutes late. The doorbell chimed as I sprang through.

“I’m here!” I said practically out of breath.

Laney checked her watch. “You’re late.”

“I know, but I’ve got a good excuse.”

“If you take the time to tell me, you’ll be even later, get over here in this chair before I move on to my next client. Besides,” Laney nodded at a young woman sitting idle in a chair against the wall. “Natasha would love to take your spot.”

“Sure would,” Natasha said, “and wouldn’t give it two thoughts.”

The other ladies in the salon chuckled as I made my way to Laney plopping down in the chair.

“Sorry Natasha, maybe next time,” I said.

“Un huh,” was her response.

I held my head back taking a closer look at Laney. “I love the pixie haircut on you,” I told her, “brings out the angles in your face.”

She twisted her lips in a small smile. “I’m doing your hair, you don’t have to butter me up.”

I threw my hand over my chest. “I wouldn’t dare.”

She shook her head. “What do you want today? It doesn’t seem like your hair needs to be relaxed. Your roots are healthy.” She dug her fingers into my scalp, and the little massage made my eyes close. Instantly I imagined Julian pulling my hair to whisper something naughty in my ear.

“Desiree.”

“Hmm?” I opened my eyes.

“What do you want done today honey, time is of the essence.”

“Oh sorry.”

“What’s got you daydreaming today?”

“Oh, nothing, just thinking about this latest assignment. Give me a wash and style. You know I like it when you give my hair that extra bump.”

Laney pulled the plastic cape around my neck and lowered the back of my seat to wash my hair in the sink.

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