The building had started to make a banging noise. The manager, Shawna, had taken it upon herself to find the problem. She was left in charge after all and the ship was not going to sink under her direction. This isn’t some basic barbershop, this is Michelle’s Salon and Shawna would not be responsible for damage to the custom European style decor Michelle has taken years to refine. It was the water heater. The water heater was making the loud noise, like it had air in the line or was trying to pass bad Chinese food. It was also emitting gas fumes and sparked every time there was a bang. The bangs were getting more frequent.
Which brings us to the bunch of women now standing outside in the shade of the building’s front awning. It’s almost lunchtime and the parking lot of the strip mall is starting to fill up with patrons to the food establishments, eyes peering at the motley crowd of women in smocks milling around helplessly. Shawna’s on the phone with 911 trying to get, yes, you guessed it, the fire department.
911: What’s your emergency?
Shawna: There’s going to be a fire
911: Is there a fire now?
Shawna: No, not yet.
911: Sorry, we can’t help you yet
***click***
At least, that’s how I imagine it from the story Shawna told. There were others calling, it would be fine. Help would show up. Hopefully. Deanna, the only person I will let near my hair, is getting fidgety and twirling her soft brunette curls between her fingers. “I’m sure they’ll be here quick. We still have ten minutes before we have to wash the bleach out of your hair. Everything will be fine.” For those of you who are not salon savvy, leaving chemicals on your hair too long isn’t good. Hair will break off, fall out, burn. I’ve seen it smoke. All kinds of horrible things, and I take pride in my long platinum blonde hair. So, let me translate what Deanna said: Ten minutes until utter disaster. Others have half a haircut, shampoo or conditioner in their hair, extensions partially tied in. The people who were getting massages are relaxed, even if their clothes are inside the building and they’re outside wearing only a robe.
Everyone that could primp, had primped for the firemen to show up. It’s a lineup and I can imagine the firemen walking the line, “I’ll take this one, and this one. You don’t mind sharing, right?” The senior firefighter steps up and says, “Sorry, I get first choice. Seniority gets perks. I’ll be taking this one from you.” Anyway, you get the idea. It’s a beauty pageant and then there’s me with a plastic bag on my head and a lady with foils sticking up off her head like she could receive radio transmission.
The sound of sirens fill the air as the long red ladder truck pulls into the parking lot, stopping in front of the salon. The important thing here is the possible fire, but I appreciate firemen as much as the next girl, maybe more. Definitely more. I love a hot guy, even on days like today when I only get to drool from a distance because I look like a bag lady compared to the stylists. The first guy is a bit older with short salt and pepper hair. He’s fit and fills his navy blue uniform nicely. The second guy is shorter, still at least 5’9” and wearing one of those bulky yellow jackets with reflectors. His face is adorable, but the jacket hides everything else—not a hint of a single ab or muscular arm. The third reminds me of Goldilocks, he’s just right. Thick, dirty blonde hair and the mustache to match. His navy blue uniform pants are topped with his station T-shirt which stretches across his chest and shoulders, yet loose where it’s tucked into his Dickies. I’m busy imagining the things I could do to him. Naked. With my tongue. Deanna stomps her boots and drags me into the dog groomer next door.
“Firemen? Hot firemen?” I whined questioningly, not wanting to give up my view.
Playlist
“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
“Come Home” by OneRepublic
“Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS
“All Right Now” by Free
“Yesterday” by The Beatles
“Oh, Sherrie” by Steve Perry
“Sherry” by Frankie Valli & the 4 Seasons
“Take Me Out to the Ball Game” Jack Norworth & Albert Von Tilzer
“We Belong” by Pat Benatar
“Love is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar
“Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga
“Voices Carry” by Til Tuesday
“Never” by Heart
“We Got the Beat” by The Go-Go’s
“One Way or Another” by Blondie
“Lola” by The Kinks
“Won’t Stop” by OneRepublic
“Seek and Destroy” by Metallica
“Caught Up in You” by .38 Special
“The Stroke” by Billy Squier
“Fell in Love With a Girl” by The White Stripes
“Blow Me Away” by Breaking Benjamin
“Perfect” by Rick Springfield
“Feels Like the First Time” by Foreigner
“Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin
“Let’s Hurt Tonight” by OneRepublic
“Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran
“If I Lose Myself” by OneRepublic
“Shadows of the Night” by Pat Benatar
“Ex’s and Oh’s” by Elle King
“The Warrior” by Pat Benatar
“Love Runs Out” by OneRepublic
“Victorious” by Wolfmother
“Carry Me Away” by Rick Springfield
About the Author
Naomi Springthorp is an emerging author. King of Diamonds is An All About the Diamond Romance, number two in what she hopes is a long series of baseball romance. She’s also writing other contemporary romance novels and novellas featuring firemen, Las Vegas, and more.
Naomi is a born and raised Southern California girl. She lives with her husband and her feline fur babies. She believes that life has a soundtrack and half of the year should be spent cheering for her favorite baseball team.
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Also by Naomi Springthorp
All About the Diamond Romances
The Sweet Spot
King of Diamonds
Diamonds in Paradise (a novella)Also coming soon…Betting on Love
Just a California Girl
Jacks!Other novellas and standalone novels
Muffin Man (a novella)
Confessions of an Online Junkie
Finally in Focus (a novella)
