Page 11 of Full Strength

“Hey Addison. I got the front end restocked so you can do inventory today.” I smiled at Ronny, our morning receptionist and held out his latte. He was my saving grace most days, always willing to stay late if I couldn’t find an emergency sitter in time and kept the salon running when I wasn’t there.

“Thanks. Have a good night tonight.” I winked before he kissed my cheek.

“I always do, Beautiful.”

I watched him leave wishing, not for the first time, he played for my team. He was handsome, kind, and one of the most genuine people I’d ever met. His endless stream of boyfriends thought so too. He worked here in the mornings then went to school in the afternoons. He and I had bonded immediately when I started. We had both been burned by our exs and weren’t talking to our families. It was a match made in misery.

Ronny got me through the toughest part of my pregnancy, when I was working fifty or more hours on my feet each week. He made sure my supply of coconut water and Snickers were always well stocked, and I made sure to bring him an afternoon coffee so he didn’t have to stop on his way to school.

When Camille wanted to cut down on my hours and get an afternoon receptionist so I could spend my time on planning shifts and updating the books, Ronny argued that I could handle it all. He even convinced her to pay me what she would be paying another receptionist as long as I could manage all my responsibilities. It was because of him that I was able to afford rent, food, diapers, and babysitting each month.

I loved him, and I did my best to show him as often as I could. It was too bad that during the semester he had to leave as soon as I got there.

I looked out at the floor and smiled at the full chairs. Every stylist was fully booked today. Camille loved hearing that.

I walked around the stations smiling and nodding to the stylists. I didn’t like interrupting them when they were with clients, but I wanted to make sure they knew I was here. It didn’t happen often, but when a customer got upset, I preferred to handle it. The stylists had enough to worry about, plus resolving customer problems cut into their appointment times. If there was one thing I liked less than an upset client, it was making someone wait.

Luckily there were no angry faces. The music was playing quietly enough to allow conversations and everything looked clean.

I owed Ronny for keeping the place together. He went above and beyond his duties as receptionist. In addition to scheduling clients’ appointments, he stocked product displays, cleaned windows and shelves, swept the floors, and made sure every single client left with a smile.

Everyone loved him. It was an undisputed fact.

“Hey Addison, there’s a message for you at the front.” Sarah, a petite twenty-year-old with a neon pink pixie cut, called out as I passed her.

“Thanks.” I straightened a few papers and looked for a note. I lifted our backup appointment book, the one we used in case there was ever a computer problem, and found a blue sticky note with my name on it.

“Steve came in to say hi.” I read Ronny’s handwriting, but I didn’t understand. Who’s Steve? I ran through our vendors, delivery man, even the sales guy that has been coming in trying to get us to install a security system. None of them were named Steve. Well, if it had been important Ronny would have told me.

I went to the back and started recording the inventory so I could put in the weekly order. I’d only made it through the top shelf when my phone rang. I checked the salon floor but there were no clients waiting so I picked up my phone and smiled.

“Hi Grant.”

“Hey, I know you’re at work, but I couldn’t wait.”

Oh no. Did something happen? Was he hurt? “What’s wrong?”

There was a pause. “Um nothing. Sorry, I guess I shouldn’t have made it seem like an emergency.”

I let out a sigh. “Oh good. Well, what’s up?” I turned back to the shelves and started counting the next row of keratin shampoo.

“I know we just back on speaking terms, but I missed you.”

I laughed. “I missed you too.”

“Good. That’s good.” He paused again and I didn’t want to interrupt whatever he was trying to say. “I was wondering if you wanted to get dinner.”

I leaned against the counter and made sure no one was around to overhear. “Do you want me to bring something over tonight?”

“Uh, no. I was thinking of going out.”

“Well, Eli is with Mrs. Jefferies tonight and she usually expects me to be home by eight thirty.”

“I was actually thinking this weekend. Like a date. Just the two of us”

I almost gasped, but didn’t want to draw attention. “Grant, I don’t know.”

“I know we haven’t done this before, at least we’ve never tried it. But it wouldn’t be that different than when we’ve had dinner together.”