Page 8 of Half Notes and Highlights
Harris looked up from the TV and finally joined the conversation. “I didn’t know it was Tyler Kennedy. He’s cute.”
Wolf picked up his phone and started tapping on it. “Let’s see what this guy looks like.” After scrolling for a few seconds, he stared at his phone, his brows went up and down, and he grinned. “He’s really fucking hot. Does he share?”
Ethan didn’t answer, and Wolf looked at him funny. The two had often shared guys in the past, as recently as a couple of weeks ago when a groupie found his way onto their tour bus. The sexual relationship Ethan and Wolf shared, which had been ongoing since they were teens, was open and fun. They were best friends and each other’s firsts. It was casual and without strings. Although they had always dated other people, they still always found their way into each other’s bed.
“Does he share?” Wolf repeated brows high on his forehead as he waited for an answer.
“I don’t know,” Ethan replied, honestly. “But I don’t think I want to share this one.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Walking into the rented hair studio, Tyler greeted his new space with arms thrown into the air. “Hello, first California studio!” It came with all the necessities, so he only needed to make it his own. After making three trips to the car to carry in boxes, he realized he should have hired a helper. On a whim, he called Iris.
“Hi, neighbor. Are you busy? Feel like giving me a hand at my new hair studio? I’ll make it worth your while with a free haircut.” He hoped she knew the value of his services, because his prices weren’t cheap.
“A free haircut?” Her voice raised an octave with excitement. “I can come right now. I don’t have to work today. I’m covering for someone tomorrow and working a double shift.”
“Perfect!”
While he waited for Iris to arrive so she could help carry boxes, because she was so athletic looking that she could probably carry more than he could, he stocked cabinets and drawers with his supplies and unpacked some personal effects.
The door chimed announcing her entrance, and he welcomed her with exaggerated air kisses on both cheeks. “Welcome to my hair studio. What do you think? It’s small, but it’ll be amazing once I fix it up.”
“It’s nice. What’s this?” she asked with a laugh, bending over to look at the table next to the door.
“My leg lamp.” It was a shapely leg wearing a stiletto shoe and a fishnet stocking, topped off with a hot pink shade that had black fringe around the bottom. He clicked it on, and pink lightlit up the leg and covered the table and part of the floor in a circle.
“I love it. And this phone is so cool.” She picked up the receiver to the fancy, antique European-style phone and brought it to her ear. “How did anyone talk on this thing? You’re stuck lugging the whole thing around with you. It looks heavy.”
“Oh, silly girl.” He waved his hand at her. “That thing was before the cordless phone. It was plugged into the wall. You had to stand in one spot and talk.”
She curled her lip and pulled the receiver away from her ear as if someone were breathing heavily on the other end. “That’s crazy. It’s cute though.” She placed the receiver back on the rest and walked around the small space. “I can’t wait to see what it looks like when you’re done. What do you want me to do?”
“Can you help carry some boxes in from the car?”
They spent the next couple of hours unloading the car, unpacking boxes, and hanging some pictures on the walls. The place was starting to reflect Tyler’s personality with bright colors and fun décor.
“What else?” Iris asked, since Tyler was looking around the studio.
“I think we’re good for today. I have a furniture delivery tomorrow, and I might do a little shopping. Let’s get to work on your hair.” He patted the salon chair. “Have a seat.”
She sat and looked at herself in the mirror. “What’s the plan?”
Tyler stood behind her, pulled out her ponytail, and pushed all her hair forward over her shoulders. “Your color is beautiful. I wouldn’t touch it, but I’d love to give you those highlights we talked about. Very subtle and natural. They’ll be amazing, and you’ll see how much they enhance your natural skin tone and California tan. And a conditioning treatment will make it shine like crazy.” He inspected the ends of her hair between his fingers. “I think we should take about two inches off the lengthand add some long layers to frame your face. You’ll still be able to wear it in a pony.”
She shrugged. “You’re the professional.”
He gave her gorgeous highlights, a deep conditioning hair masque, followed by a trendy cut, then a blowout. “What do you think?” He already knew she liked it because she had a huge smile on her face.
“I love it!” She ran her fingers through the length and turned her head back and forth, so the lights reflected her new highlights and picked up the luminous shine of her hair. “It’s shorter than I expected, but it’s so silky. I really love the highlights.”
He pulled it back to show her that she could still tie it up if she wanted, and she nodded. He also gave her a few sample-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner.
Before they left, he paused to look back at the place. “See you tomorrow, California studio.”
***
The next morning, Tyler arrived early, coffee cup in hand, and danced into his hair studio. He’d been in California less than a week and already had his first two clients—Ethan and Iris. Even though Iris was a freebie, she still counted. They weren’t one offs. Iris would be a steady customer, and he had a feeling Ethan would be as well. A smile spread across his cheeks at the memory of the salacious rock star, but it was interrupted by a jingle at the front door. It was the delivery man with the bright red lip-shaped couch he ordered. He loved that thing and ordered it as soon as he saw it. It fit nicely against the wall next to his table with the leg lamp.
