Page 1 of One More Chance
One
It was disgusting to be at MillionHair salon on Valentine’s Day.
Between the over-excitement of many patrons wanting to look their very best for that night’s activities, to the vast array of flowers that filled up every nook and corner of the salon courtesy of the owner’s ex-husband, to overhearing (and sometimes oversharing) intimate plans for a night of headboard knocking, Krista Allen was over it.
She had no plans because the man she was dating – if they could call it that – was busy.
She was proud she came up with a canned answer in case anyone did ask her what was she going to do that night.
Oh, we’re going to see a movie.
Oh, we’re going to stay in and make it all romantic and cozy.
Oh, he has a surprise for me.
We already celebrated. We did it yesterday!
Lies, lies, and mo’ lies.
Truth was, Krista had reservations at Eleven Madison Park. Alone. She’d always wanted to go to the three-star Michellin-rated restaurant and saved up as much money as she could to treat herself. She made the reservation six months ago and purposely chose Valentine’s Day. She’d hoped her casual date would join her but as always, he was just too busy.
Happy Valentine’s to me. I guess.
She glanced up at the clock and knew she needed to finish cleaning up so she could hurry out and get dressed. She had a lot to do before she would take herself out that night. She needed the distraction.
And figure out what the hell she was doing wrong with her life.
Krista wasn’t a goody-goody but she most certainly didn’t play by anyone’s rules other than hers. Coming from a rough upbringing that took years of therapy and happy pills to counter the effects, Krista lived life on her own terms. She had solace in her best friend, Faith, whose family took her in when Krista was still a teenager.
It seemed for the rest of her life, she was still trying to figure out what she wanted to be when she grew up.
She would worry about that later. If she hurried, she could leave the shop without Faith being all up in her business like she was about to spill some hot tea and was in the process of passing out cups.
~~~~~
“So, what are your plans for tonight, missy?” Faith Sheppard asked as she worked on a customer’s hair.
“I’m treating myself out to dinner,” Krista replied with the truth, “and go home and watch a flick.”
“Oh?” Faith carefully curled a lock of hair. “I thought Marc was taking you out somewhere.”
“Marc is busy as always,” Krista tried to hide the disappointment. She knew dating a real estate developer meant long days and many hours. She didn’t think it would cut into their relationship as much as it did.
“Oh, I see,” Faith grinned. “I guess he’s so busy he can’t see you on the most romantic day of the year?”
“Stop it,” Krista warned and Faith shrugged, “I’m sure Eli has an excuse why he can’t see you tonight.”
“Um,” Faith glanced around at her shop. She was in the process of reconciling with her ex-husband, world-famous floral designer, Eli D’Amato. Eli’d sent a dozen roses for each year they had been a part of each other’s lives. Seventeen vases filled every corner of the shop in a variety of colors and arrangements. “No, Zaddy is seeing me tonight and he’s getting the extra suck.”
“You are so damn nasty,” Krista rolled her eyes.
“Hey, don’t be mad my sex life is on and poppin’ and yours ain’t,” Faith chuckled, “when’s the last time you had your back blown out?”
“Like a week ago,” Krista lied. It’s been a long month. “So, I’m good.”
“Yeah, okay.” Faith grabbed another piece of hair and began curling it. “I bet baby girl got some cobwebs in her ‘nani.”
“Okay, I can hear you!” Krista laughed as Faith joined in. “Don’t worry about me, I’m good.”
