Fresh Cut Romance Read Free

overwhelmed and getting a little concerned, because money was in short supply. I nodded, but my worry must have shown on my face, because…
    She waved a hand. "And don't worry about cost. Julian and I will take care of it."
    She looked me up and down. "Pretty figure. I'd say size six dress, seven shoes. Is that about right?
    A little more relaxed, I smiled. "Perfect."
    She turned to her brother. "Now, Julian. Where are you taking this lovely lady?"
    "I thought I'd start with dinner then a play or dancing."
    Jessie raised a solo eyebrow. "You do have reservations?"
    Julian raised his head and closed his eyes. Opening them he said, "Christ, no. I can't take Laurel to just any old place."
    "It's okay little brother. Let me get Laurel started, while you call Janet and see what she can do."
    Jessie took my hand and led me out of her office and down the hall.
    "What does Janet do?" I asked.
    She snickered. "It's not what she does. It's who she's married to."
    We entered a large room, obviously the beauty parlor. "Laurel, this is Sarah," whispering so the other beauticians wouldn't hear, she continued, "She's my best hairdresser and maybe the best in Hollywood."
    Sarah was thirty-ish, average height, nice figure and pretty with platinum hair and friendly blue eyes. She grabbed a handful of my hair and let it run through her fingers. "Hi Laurel, love your hair. It'll be a pleasure to work on you."
    "Thank you, Sarah."
    "Okay. I'll leave you two for now. I'll be back in an hour to see how you're coming along."
    "Thanks for everything, Jessie."
    "Thanks aren't necessary. I'd do anything for Julian."
    I noticed Sarah flinch, then recovering, she said, "All right dear, we'll start with a shampoo."
    While soaping and scrubbing my hair, Sarah asked. "Are you seeing Julian?"
    I opened an eye and gazed at her. Her brow was furrowed and her smile seemed tense, forced through a tight jaw.
    "No, we're just friends. Ow, that water's too hot."
    I saw her hand move back behind my head, and then the water cooled down. "I'm Sorry. You were saying."
    "He thinks I need some fun so he's taking me out."
    Her eyes seemed thoughtful. "I went out with him. I'm a few years older than him so I knew there wasn't a future."
    "Really? How long ago?"
    "Hmmm. Roughly a year and a half ago, I guess. He's a player you know? Breaks women's hearts. I knew what I was getting into. Mainly did it for the sex. But he still got under my skin."
    I was nonplussed. "Really. You went out with him to have sex?"
    "Sure. Fun too, but mainly sex. He's a great looking guy. I'm sure you've noticed?
    "Okay, let's get some curlers in your hair and get you under the dryer." She wrapped a towel around my head and helped me up.
    Back at her station, after blow-drying my hair, she put it in curlers. She acted quiet, seemingly deep in thought. When she finished she led me to a bank of dryers.
    My mind spun. Sarah's words in my mind eclipsed the hairdryer's loud drone. Mainly did it for the sex. He's a player you know? He's a great looking guy. He certainly is a great looking guy. Charming too. He's a player you know? Sure, fun too, but mainly sex. Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex!
    We're in the museum, Julian takes me in his arms. He's kissing me. This is bad! No it's good! I should stop him, pull away! But I don't want to! I want to kiss him back, but I don't know how. I don't know what to do. They don't teach you how to kiss an angel, an angel, an angel.
    I woke up unsteadily, from a hand shaking my arm. "Oh! What?"
    Looking around I saw Sarah half laughing at me. "You fell asleep. C'mon, sweetheart. Time to make you beautiful."
    My face flushed.
    Sarah took me to her station and set me down. "How do you want it," she asked, "any ideas?"
    I gazed at Sarah's image reflected in the mirror. "No, what does your experience tell you?"
    Her hand grasped her chin. "Hmmm. Let me think. Who's your favorite actress?
    "I like Nicole Kidman."
    Sarah looked at the ceiling and shook her head. "No, someone