Page 5 of Strung Along
Only a handful of clients have asked me those questions, and it’s easy to distract them when I have scissors in my hands and their hair poised between the blades. Now, though? I fear it may not be so easy.
I keep my head high and my mouth set in a soft, natural smile. There was a reason for today’s venture other than making my presence known to every single person in this town. My destination is the bridal boutique that has undoubtedly seen better days. I’ve driven past it a handful of times in the past few days, and while it looks like it’s inside of a shoebox-size space, it will have to do.
Today is the first day I’ve had the nerve to even contemplate stepping foot inside of it. Sweat beads on the back of my neck at the mention of being surrounded with white tulle and fake bouquets again.
While Braxton was selling my wedding dress at a consignment shop in Vancouver before I moved out here, I wasbusy trying to forget the man responsible for that dress and my shattered heart. I want nothing to do with anything related to a wedding, but for my sister, I’d do just about anything, even torture myself with the reminder of everything I’ve lost. That’s my reasoning behind agreeing when she all but begged me to still come with her to Maddox’s teammate’s wedding in two months. I couldn’t go back on my agreement from months ago. Not after everything she did for me post-Stewart. Just the fact that I can even think his name now without sobbing is half due to her help during the start of my grieving process.
The street ahead of me fills with voices, some soft and some hard. Shoes crunching over snow-covered pavement and jingling bells from above shop doors have my pace slowing. Every person in town has to be at the farmers’ market. It’s most likely the last one of the season, with the snow starting to fall heavier and heavier each day. I should have known today would be a terrible day to come . . .
“A new face!”
I freeze, knees locking at the loud voice.
“Don’t be so aggressive, Bryce.”
“I’m not being aggressive! I’m being welcoming.”
“If you’re so welcoming, then why does she look like she’s going to hack all over the street?”
I blink, taking in the two women moving toward me. The shorter of the two, Bryce, from what I’ve gathered, is intimidating as all hell, even from the healthy distance between us. With night-black hair and sharp blue eyes, she reminds me of Braxton. A much scarier version of her.
She’s incredibly fit. Muscles flex beneath her long sleeves, even as she stands still, observing me. Her black vest is snug over her chest, and the puff on the top of her toque bobs with every step she takes. Two rows of gleaming white teeth flash as she grins at me, and suddenly, she’s the opposite of intimidating.
The woman beside Bryce appears far more harmless, even without smiling, with soft brown eyes and hair to match. Her skin is warmer than Bryce’s, like she’s used to spending long hours in the sun despite the cold, while Bryce maybe tends to do the opposite. She’s built similar to me, with thighs filling the tight material of her jeans, hips that flare wide, and a generous chest that, from experience, is why we have to go up a size in tops despite our slimmer waists.
“Sorry, I have a habit of being a bit too loud sometimes,” Bryce apologizes, wincing slightly.
I return her smile and extend my hand. She takes it easily. “Don’t be sorry. It’s nice to have someone else make the first move. I’m Annalise. Anna for short.”
“You’re the new hairdresser,” the second woman notes, piecing something together in her mind. Recognition sparks in her eyes, and she ignores my outstretched hand. “I’m Poppy! I own Beautifully Bold. We’re neighbours.”
In a surprising move, she swats down my hand and wraps me in a tight hug. I stand frozen for a beat before awkwardly wrapping my arms around her and then pulling back. She doesn’t seem to care about my awkwardness.
Bryce picks up on it, though, offering me another apologetic grimace. “And you were giving me a hard time for being aggressive.”
I laugh at that. “Beautifully Bold . . . that’s the pole studio, right?”
“That’s the one, but don’t get her started on it. She’ll end up forcing you into coming for a lesson,” Bryce says.
Poppy rolls her eyes and shoves her friend’s shoulder. “I don’t force anyone. It’s more just gentle marketing, I promise.”
“I’m all ears. Give me your best-selling speech.” I nod in encouragement when she hesitates.
I’ve never done pole before. I’m not much for exercise, if I’m completely honest. Walking up and down the basement stairs to do my laundry is enough to have me huffing and puffing, but I can’t say that I’m completely against the idea of pole. I’ve seen the women who do pole work, and they’re incredibly strong.
Poppy tucks some loose hairs from her bun out of her face as the wind picks up but straightens and smiles brightly. “Beautifully Bold is a space for those who may not feel comfortable to go to a public gym but still want to get a bit of activity into their day in a different, fun way. It’s mostly women who join the classes, but it’s open to anyone interested. We have classes every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at four thirty for an hour, and they’re usually full of both those who have never tried before and those who have been doing it for years. Really, it’s just a safe place for people to have fun while working out in a safe environment.”
“Don’t forget your selling point, Poppy,” Bryce reminds her.
I roll my lips to fight a laugh while Poppy huffs. “I was getting there, Bryce.” Focusing solely on me, she adds, “The side window faces the front of the fire department. The yard, specifically. Where the volunteers work out in the summer. The view is always a great motivator.”
“I have to peel her tongue from the window more often than not,” Bryce teases.
Poppy glares at her. “You’re not much better.”
“Never said I was,” Bryce sings.
My eyes bounce between the two of them, a bite of jealousy growing in my gut. It’s not like I’ve never had a friendship like this . . . well, I guess I haven’t, really. Unless you count my sister. Which, really, is just sad if I do.