By the time she’s finished cutting it and has blasted my hair with the hair dryer, it looks amazing. The longer hair I had has been shortened a little to just past my shoulders and has some layers in it to frame my face and jawline. It looks amazing. She smooths a flat iron through it and whips off the cape. “Ta-da!” She sings. “What do you think?”
“I love it, Rue!” I comb my fingers through my hair and smile. “It feels so good, thank you.”
Standing from the chair, I brush myself down and grab my bag. Ruby walks with me to the desk so I can pay.
“We need a girls’ night,” Ruby says as I’m trying to find my wallet.
“Definitely. Let’s make a date. Call me later?”
“Of course. And put your wallet away, it’s on me.”
“Girl, I don’t think so.” I shut that shit down right away. “You’ll never be rich if you keep giving away cuts.” I draw her into me, hugging the shit out of her. “Love you, Rue.”
“Love you too, Reagan.”
We pull away at the same time and I pay the girl sitting at her desk, filing her nails, making sure to include a hefty tip for my girl.
“Maybe I’ll have to pop into the city and come and thank this assistant of yours in person. You know, for giving my girl some free time again.”
I smile at Ruby. “That would be a great idea. We could all three go for dinner straight after work. She deserves a treat. What do you say?”
“I love that idea. Let me know when and where and we’ll make it a date.”
With a wave, I head out.
Margie has been a godsend these last few weeks, maybe I’ll mention it. She doesn’t have anyone… I wouldn’t say I feel sorry for her as such, but I know what’s it’s like to only have one parent left, so it must be really hard on her. I’d never do something out of sympathy, but we do seem to be developing a bond. Maybe a little give is called for and maybe I could? With that plan in place, I smile to myself, making my way to my car and go back to work.
Thirteen
Reagan
I walk into the office with an extra bounce in my step. My hair feels amazing, Ruby once again doing a spectacular job on it. I reach my office door and Margie rushes toward me.
“You look amazing, Ms. Quinn.”
“Oh, thank you.” I’m not used to getting compliments from my employees, so I’m a little taken aback. “Well, it’s thanks to you I could get it done at all, so, thank you.”
“It’s nothing. I know how busy you are I just wanted to be able to do something for you.” She follows me into my office as soon as I have the door open. “You gave me a job and you’ve, well, you’ve helped to change my life.” A blush rises in Margie’s cheeks.
I sit down behind my desk and point to the chair in front of it. “Take a seat.” For someone who is supposed to be a ruthless bitch in the office, this woman is helping to tame her. “You had all the qualifications, Margie, you were right for the job, but that isn’t what it’s all about; it’s about being organized and capable, and you’re all those things. You’ve helped me too.”
She gives me a timid smile and drops her head to look down at her hands. “Who did your hair, if you don’t mind me asking?” Our gazes meet as she lifts her head. Subconsciously, my hand goes to the back of my head and I thread my fingers through the silky strands.
“Oh, of course not.” I recommend Ruby any chance I get. “It’s actually my best friend, Ruby Spencer. She has her own salon in New Jersey. We went to college together. We’ve gone through every trauma and disaster together. Well, when you’re at college, you think they’re all disasters.” I smile widely thinking about how Ruby and I were the cause of most of our traumas in college. “What college did you go to, Margie?”
“My parents couldn’t afford to send me to college, so I went to a community college instead. When they died, I dropped out. I managed to get my degrees through night school once I started a paying job.”
“Oh my.” My hand automatically goes to my chest to cover my hurting heart. She must’ve had it so hard. “I’m sorry, Margie…”
“Don’t be, honestly, I’m good. It was a long time ago. I’m at peace with everything. Everything happens for a reason, right?”
“So they say.”
Straightening her back, she sits up and seems to shake off whatever came over her. “Why don’t I grab you a coffee and you can get started on your afternoon schedule.”
“Thanks.” I smile as she stands and turns toward the door. “Margie, why don’t you get yourself one too and come back here—I’ve got some training for you to complete.”
“Oh, alright.”
Once she leaves, I turn my computer on, get my desk set up, and pull the other chair around to my side for Margie and wait.
The soft smile on her face when she comes back softens me a little. “Why don’t you come and sit here? I’ve got some things to show you.” Putting both cups down on coasters on my glass desk, she sits beside me and I pull up some accounts.
The rest of the afternoon goes quickly. I decided to bring Margie in on some of the pharmaceutical business, using some of the smaller accounts as examples of what we do here. She’s a really good student and takes everything in that I’ve shown her. She has a notepad beside her where she writes down important information, and I’m actually impressed. That never happens.
I catch her glancing up at the clock on the wall and drumming her fingers on the desk. “Is there somewhere you need to be, Margie?”
“Oh, no, it’s fine…” She focuses on the computer, and I look at the time myself. It’s already five o’clock. After sorting out my schedule so I could get my hair done, the least I could do is let her go early.
“You sure? You look a little nervous.”
Her body slumps as she sighs. “I’m supposed to be going on a date. I’m sorry. I know I said I’d be here at your disposal, but tonight was the only night he was available,” she rushes out in one breath.
“A date, huh? What’s his name?”
“Hudson. He’s a couple of years older than me.”
“Well, what are you waiting for? Get out of here.”
“Are you sure, Ms. Quinn?”
“I’m sure. Who am I to stand in the way of love?”
The nervousness leaves her face and she smiles. “Thank you. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
“Go.” I shoo her from the office and smile to myself, remembering when a date used to be exciting. Not that Everett isn’t exciting, because he is. He’s fucking hot, I just wish he’d make some kind of commitment to me.
She pops her head into my office, smiling. “Maybe if everything goes alright tonight, and we decide on a second date, I’ll go to your friend’s salon and get my hair done. A change is as good as a rest.”