Fierce Salon Episode 1: A New Adult Smexy Serial Read Free Page B

something.”
    “I’m so sorry, honey.” She truly sounded heartbroken for me. “So what did you do?”
    “I left his cheating ass.” The tears were back as I choked out the words. “And I moved out. I don’t know where to go.”
    “Oh, Amy. You know you can stay with me. Come by and pick up my keys.”
    “Really?” I don’t want to impose on my friend but I have no other options. My mom would let me move into her condo in Sacramento but she’d never let me live down my failed attempt at being a stylist. She never approved of me leaving college to go to beauty school but when she stopped making my tuition payments, there wasn’t much left for me to do.
    “Of course.” Gabi was such a good friend. “It’ll be fun.”
    “Thank you.”
    ~**~
    As if on autopilot, I pick up the key to her cottage and head straight there. It’s a small bungalow built on a large property with several other guest houses. It feels isolated with all the trees surrounding the small home.
    Gabi has a boyfriend in the city but he never stays over. When they’re together, she stays at his place in SoMa. She keeps the place neat and the pull out sofa bed is good enough for now. I don’t need much space. I just need a place to get my life back together.
    Without trying to unpack anything, I arrange the last of my belongings in a corner of her garage and drop into her oversized chaise reflect on the next steps for my life.
    As hurt as I am about Shane, I haven’t loved him for a while. I’m mad but not devastated. I can truly get a fresh start now. Things have been weird with us for a while and I wasn’t going to make a change so I’m almost thankful that he did. As sick as it was to witness.
    ~**~
    The room is dark when I open my eyes again. Gabi slams the door behind her and flips on a lamp. The light blinds me for a minute and she jumps when she sees me.
    “Holy shit, Aims .” She holds her hand to her chest as she walks to the couch. “You almost gave me a heart attack.”
    “Sorry.” I rub my crusty eyes and sit up. “I passed out a few hours ago. What time is it?”
    “It’s almost nine.” She reaches for her phone and turns it on. ”I tried calling before I went to the gym but it just went to voicemail. Did you get my messages?”
    O ops . Where the hell is my phone? “Sorry, no. I turned my phone off earlier.”
    “You can’t avoid him forever.” Gabi kicks off her running shoes and rests her feet on the ottoman in front of her.
    “Sure I can.” I channel my inner optimist and school my lips into a smile. “This is actually a good time to avoid Shane and all men. I can finally focus on my career withou t having to worry about some guy waiting for me at home.”
    Amy cocks her head and raises her eyebrows. “Really? So no more men?”
    “I’ve been single before.” I nod resolutely. “I can do it again. I just need to find a job and an apartment and things will be great.”
    “I like your attitude.” She gets up and gives me a hug. “Things will be great. And you can stay here as long as you want. I’ m hardly here so you might as well use it when I’m gone.”
    “I don’t want to put you out.”
    “It’s no trouble. You know I love hanging out with you.”
    “You promise you’ll tell me if you get sick of me?” I don’t want to be a burden but I really don’t have money for my own place.
    “I won’t get sick of you.” She pats my knee as she stands up. “But yes, I promise to tell you if I do. I’m gonna go take a shower then pass out.”
    “No problem. I’ll probably watch TV for a while.”
    Gabi flips open the cushioned lid of the ottoman. “There are sheets, blankets and pillows in here. Do you need help opening up the pullout?”
    I stand and stretch. “Nope. I can handle it.”
    With one more hug, Gabi disappears into her room, leaving me to consider my shit storm of a day.

 
     
     
    Chapter Four
    Nate
     
    Since placing the ad a few hours ago with a very explicit headline