Page 30 of Coincidentally Kismet

Will

Hey. I kind of need a favor, and Lo told me if I didn’t ask you she would kill me. She’s scary, by the way.

Cam

Yeah, okay That girl couldn’t hurt a fly. What is it, Rambo?

Will

So, I know you don’t really like “sporty” things, your words not mine, but there is this fundraiser my squadron does every year, and up until five minutes ago Smith was my partner. But you know LOOOOOO got involved and I can’t participate alone and it’s mandatory sooo...wanna be partners?

Cam

It’s not something Amy can do? If it’s, as you say, “sporty,” I’m not sure I would actually be doing you a favor. Remember the bowling alley incident?Actually don’t. Please forget that.

Will

I don’t know anything about a bowling alley, actually I’ve never even been to one, Wright. And nope, Amy’s busy. I promise you will be fine, and I’ll be with you the whole time. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t really need a friend. Please say yes! I’ll pick you up Saturday at noon.

Cam

I work on Saturdays. I guess I can sweet-talk my way into getting off an hour early, but you will have to come to the salon. Also, what am I supposed to wear?

Will

Just wear athletic gear and bring a change of clothes. Thank you, I owe you my life. It’s a date.

Cam

You got it, dude! Also, not a date . . .

Will

It’s just a figure of speech. Thanks again.

Cam

You owe me, Rambo.

I don’t know what the hell I just signed myself up for, but my stomach is doing somersaults at the thought of spending more time with Will. Why did he call it a date? It’s not a date. Also—“you got it, dude”? Who am I, Michelle Tanner? I know I better get my butt back inside to fill in Daveed, but first I need to send Lo a hate text. She seriously owes me for this. Sports and I don’t mix.

CHAPTER 14

WILL

“CLOSER” - THE CHAINSMOKERS & HALSEY

Saturday rolls around, and I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I’ve done this obstacle course multiple times, Smith and I usually win the whole event. This year is different though. I’m partnering with Cam. Cam who says she isn’t into “sporty things” but who I also know is the most competitive person on the planet and can hold her own physically, when the opportunity arises.

I told her to bring a change of clothes, but I wasn’t exactly forthcoming about the amount of mud she’s going to face today. She’s going to be pissed, I know it, but Amy insisted that this would be a good opportunity to show her that we can be friends.

I stopped by a little sub shop to get us some sandwiches before I headed over to the salon to pick Cam up. I have no clue what I’m about to walk into here, but I imagine it’s going to be the biggest challenge of the day, at least for me. Pulling up to the address Cam gave me, I notice it’s a house. I wouldn’t have pegged a salon to be in this seventies-style bungalow, but Google Maps hasn’t let me down yet, and based on the sign, I’m in the right place.

Walking up to the door, I can smell the aroma of what I assume is hair dye and hear the low drum of hair dryers mixed with laughter. Taking a deep breath, I twist the knob on the front door and walk into an onslaught of chaos.

It’s not actual chaos, but it’s almost like one of those ballets you see—people moving about in some weird, coordinated fashion, hair being swept, pulled, and tugged into perfectly coiffed styles. I’m so out of my element. This is a far cry from the Mickey’s barber shop that I visited as a kid. Walking into Mickey’s was like walking into a bar during the day. It was sort of dingy and filled with stale cigarette smoke. This place is high-end, with blow-dryers dropping from the ceiling and stylists sitting on what look like horse saddles.

A man starts toward me, and I hold my hands up like I’m about to be accosted.What the hell is wrong with me?I’m a complete fish out of water here.

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