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I roll my eyes. “I’m not going to drink on the job.”
“Then we’ll save the beers to celebrate after you finish the job.” He winks at me, and my face instantly heats in response. I feel like I’m in high school again, crushing over a boy I can’t have. More like, shouldn’t have, given I already have three waiting for me at home. I push those thoughts away. Alex and I are just friends. We’re two friends hanging out on a Saturday night, dying hair, drinking beer, and eating pizza; totally something I would be doing with Charlie.
With one deep breath, I take a lock of hair and swipe the color. I make sure to get the ends first before painting the roots. With each swipe of the brush, I work faster, massaging the color into the hair before moving onto the next clump of strands. Alex remains quiet as I work. His head slightly leans into my touch which only makes my stomach twist with desire and guilt. I try not to think about it. I try to focus on my job, making myself think about how he will look once he washes the color out; if he’ll like it, if he’ll hate it.
The hotel phone rings, and I stop, taking a step back so Alex can grab it.
“Hello?” he asks.
I frown at the back of his head, still golden whereas the rest of his locks are stained with red. His hair is brushed back and there’s some red on his forehead and ears. I can’t help but notice how blue his eyes seem now with the contrast.
“Yeah, you can send them up. Thanks.”
He hangs up and turns around, smiling brightly while saying, “Pizza is here. Think you can answer the door for me?”
I scoff. “Now, why would I do that? You look absolutely capable of answering your own door.”
Alex sputters, motioning to himself and I clasp a hand to my mouth, trying in vain to stop the giggles from erupting. He does look pretty ridiculous with the towel wrapped around his shoulders, the red dye staining his forehead, and his hair only three fourths of the way done. Some dye has slipped from his head and landed on his white shirt, completing the look.
I hope that shirt wasn’t expensive.
“Fine, fine. I will answer the door for you,” I say while stalking towards the foyer.
“Thank you! It’s already paid for.”
I open the door, finding the pizza delivery girl standing in front with her hand raised, preparing to knock. “Two pizzas?” she says, her curious gaze dipping to my red stained gloves
“That’s us.” I frown and glance over my shoulder. “Alex, do you have tip?”
“Already paid for!” he calls from his chair.
My frown deepens as I turn back to the delivery girl. I lean towards her, whispering, “Please, tell me he left you a tip.”
She nods vigorously. “Fifty bucks.”
My eyes widen and she nods again.
“Have a nice night,” she says while twiddling her fingers.
I stand at the threshold, watching her go, feeling so silly for questioning whether or not he tipped the delivery girl. Fifty bucks? Holy crap! How much did these pizzas cost? I open the lid, expecting it to be diamond encrusted. Instead, I find pineapple and pepperoni staring back at me.
“Hello!” Alex calls. “I’m starving here.”
I stride back into the room, setting the pizzas on the counter before returning to Alex. “I still need to finish with the back.”
“Well, hurry up. I’m hungry.”
“Aren’t you a brat.” I laugh while picking up the brush and swiping more color onto his hair.
“A hungry brat.”
There’s still dye in the bowl when I finish his hair, so I take the rest of it and brush it on some strands that look like they need more color. I can already see his hair is changing. Goodbye golden locks. Although, I can’t say the change is bad. He looks more radiant, eye catching, as if he was always meant to rock this look.
Alex keeps the towel on his shoulders while he strides towards the fridge, taking out two cans of beer and handing me one. I notice it’s not the usual cheap, crappy beer I drink at parties, but some IPA.
“Don’t you think it’s a little early to be celebrating,” I say while tapping my can against his. “We still have to wash out the dye. Who knows, maybe I turned you into a monster.”
Alex chuckles. “I highly doubt that. And I swore to you, I’d like it. So, there’s nothing to be worried about.”
