Page 71 of Charmed, I'm Sure
Jae was right. I needed to make time for myself again.
With a nod of determination, I bundled my hair back into a bun, swiped on some concealer and mascara, glamored the zit out of sight, and headed for the door.
The last time I’d set foot in a salon was years ago, back when I lived in Baton Rouge, and the memory still haunted me. That so-called “salon”—if you could even call it that—was a disaster of chipped paint and broken appliances, reeking of overly perfumed shampoo, hair dye, and enough hairspray to choke a horse. The woman working on me had stunk of cigarettes and seemed to be taking all of her frustrations out on my poor scalp. After that ordeal, I’d sworn off salons, opting for home trims and magical enchantments instead. But Jae had booked this appointment for me, so I yanked on my big-girl panties and braced myself for disappointment. If you set your expectations low enough, they can only go up. Right?
Clutching a giant peppermint mocha for courage, I pulled open the glass-and-gold door toBelle Amour, and—holy shit. My jaw dropped as I stepped into the most adorable space I’d ever seen. Plush blush couches framed a cream-and-pink rug in the lobby, a whimsical chandelier of twigs and flowers glowing softly above. Floating shelves made of raw-edge cypress lined one wall, neatly stocked with endless rows of beauty products. White sheers framed the windows, letting in natural light that bathed the space in a warm, welcoming glow.
I silently vowed to buy Jaelynsomethingfor insisting I come here. Maybe a new purse. Or shoes. Or—
“May I help you?” A cheerful voice pulled me from my thoughts. The receptionist stood behind a stunning cypress desk with a raw, wavy edge. A pink neon sign readingBelle Amourglowed across its base.
“Oh, hi!” I moved away from the door, offering a sheepish smile. “I have an appointment with Greyson. I think I’m a little early.”
“No problem!” She smiled warmly, her fingers flying over the keyboard. “What’s your name?”
“Magnolia.”
“Got it! You’re all checked in. Have a seat wherever you like, and Grey will be with you shortly. Would you like anything to drink? Water? Tea? Wine?”
Wine? While getting my hair done? What alternate universe had I stumbled into? I raised my coffee with a polite smile. “I’m all set, thanks.”
“Alright! If you change your mind, just holler. I’m Liv.”
“Thanks.” I turned toward the couches, expecting to settle in for a wait. But before I could even sit down, someone called my name.
“Magnolia?”
Startled, I spun around, sloshing coffee onto my hand. “Shit—sorry! Yes, that’s me.”
The man approaching me laughed, shaking his head. He gestured silently toward Liv, who handed him a cloth for my mess. “No biggie. Jae warned me you might be a bit of a mess, but don’t you worry, honey—I’ll get you right as rain and ready to take on the world in no time.”
Flustered, I cleaned up my spill and followed him to his station. Greyson was, hands down, the prettiest man I’d ever seen.
The back of the salon was just as charming as the front. Cream walls and polished concrete floors created a clean, cohesive look. Blush chairs sat at every station in front of gold-framed mirrors with uplifting sayings across the tops—Greyson’s said ‘do it for yourself, no one else’. There were twinkle lights intertwined with floral branches draped across the ceiling, giving the space an ethereal, fairy-like quality. I already loved it here.
“So, what are we doing today?” Greyson asked, freeing my hair from its elastic. His smile faltered slightly as he assessed the chaos that was my hair.
“Color and a trim, I guess.” I chuckled nervously. “I’m usually better about upkeep, but life’s been a little... hectic.”
He nodded, grabbing a brush to gently work through the tangles. “What’s your usual routine? Your hair history—orhair-story,if you will.”
Panic fluttered in my chest. How was I supposed to answerthat? It’s not like I could say, ‘Oh, ya know. Same as anyone else, really. Magical enchantments.’
“Oh, um, the usual,” I hedged. “I shampoo twice, condition from the mids to the ends, and do a mask once or twice a month.”
“Good, good. And the color? How do you maintain it? Do you use heat tools?”
I laughed outright, shaking my head. “Greyson, I know my hair color would say otherwise, but I’m pretty low-maintenance. I rarely use hot tools, and I usually handle color touch-ups in my kitchen sink.”
He grinned, shaking his head in mock disbelief. “Well, prepare for the most high-maintenance day of your life, my darlin’. That bossy friend of yours left strict instructions to pamper you, and pamper you I shall. You ready?”
I swallowed thickly, nodding as our eyes met in the mirror. His face lit up with excitement, his full lips curling into a smile that showcased perfect, pearly teeth. “Let’s do this.”
“Girl, if you don’t close your eyes, it’s creepy,” Greyson admonished, massaging shampoo into my scalp.
“What? Oh!” I snapped my eyes shut, and he chuckled. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay. It just looks weird from this angle, and you’re supposed to be relaxing. So keep those peepers closed and just breathe.”
