Page 48 of Coincidentally Kismet

#4 Perform a Women’s Cut & Style

#5 Perform a Waxing Service: Must have optimal shaping and desired result.

#6 Perform a Full Lather Lounge Experience with a Blow-Me-Beautiful Finish: No heat tools, must only use blow-dryer, product, and round brush for finishing.

To make it easier, some of the skills can be combined. For example, if I do a full highlight on someone and then give them the Lather Lounge experience with the blowout after, that can be graded and check two items off the list. Knowing this, I planned accordingly and condensed as many tasks as possible. I set up Lo to get #2 and #4, one of our salon sales reps to get #1 and #6 (she’s processing now), and Elliott to come in town for #3 and #5. I am nothing if not efficient, after all.

However, today, I’m striking out. Not on the actual skills part, but on the models keeping their word and showing up part. My list consisted of my two closest friends, Lo and Elliott, whom I thought were reliable enough, or at the very least, desperate enough to agree to free services rendered. Thank my lucky stars, Anita showed up.

Lo suddenly can’t make her appointment because her boss went on a tirade, letting several people go, so she’s swamped with her own work. Elliott had a sales opportunity come up and has to be in Maryland for an important meeting. Elliott was always a long shot, I knew that going in. My backup plan for that situation has always been to call in one of the guys and beg them to help me out.

None of it is a deal breaker, Daveed is one of the most patient people on the planet and will do whatever he needs to in order to ensure my success. However, I wanted to do this the right way, follow the rules, and get a successful score without any help. Making matters more complicated, Will has been so sweetto me all week, and I’ve been short, unavailable, and frankly, downright grumpy when talking with him.

I’m not the picture of newly dating bliss right now, let me tell you. I’m surprised he hasn’t run kicking and screaming yet. I practically blew him off when he came by with a coffee last night at nine thirty. It was a sweet gesture, and I simply said, “Thanks, now scoot. I gotta practice.” I’ve spent very little time responding to his texts or talking to him when he calls. Lo thinks I’m avoiding him because I still have walls up, which may be a little true, but I would like to see him some.

Instead, I’m desperately trying to figure out fill-ins for the four services I no longer have models for. I could ask Will to be Elliott’s replacement, but somehow, I think cutting his hair would make me nervous, and I don’t think he gets anything waxed. Does he get anything waxed? Nope—I can’t let my mind go there right now, I need to focus. Okay, Amy has brownish hair, but I’m not sure she colors it or wants to start. Resigned that I have very few choices, I shoot off a text to Smith.

Cam

Hey, buddy . . . I need a favor.

Smith

What’s up, roomie?

Cam

Just to be clear, you do know we don’t actually live together right?

Smith

I love you too! What do you need?

Cam

So...you know how I’m doing hair trials this week? Can I cut your hair and also maybe wax something on your body?

Smith

Yo for sure! I never turn down a free cut, and you know I keep my brow game tight. When?

Cam

When are you available?

Smith

I could come today at 5ish.

Cam

Sounds good, thank you so much! I owe you.

Thank the heavens above, that’s two more off my list. Well, almost. I have Anita, the sales rep, under the dryer now, working on lifting those beautiful highlights to the perfect shade. Now it’s just a matter of finding a replacement for Lo. Her cheapskate butt is going to be so mad that I replaced her, but she also can’t commit to an appointment, so what’s a girl to do?

Ding!Time to take Anita out from the dryer and give her the best Lather Lounge treatment of her life. Maybe I’ll end up with some free samples out of this deal or a giant tip that could allow me to exist on something other than ramen for the next few days.

I check her foils and her hair lifted beautifully, so much so, I won’t even need to apply a toner. I verify with Daveed, and we head into the lounge. Once she’s settled in the bowl, I begin the arduous task of removing what seems like eight thousand foils and getting the water to the exact right temperature.

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