the pack. At first she kept trying to convince herself Kian would be better off if
she left town, but realistically, there was no way in hell she was leaving him now.
While that might have been her plan that first night after Dusty's Roadhouse,
Emma knew her limits, and she wasn't strong enough to break both their hearts
now. Her new plan was to smile at every single shifter she recognized from the
pack meeting. Not many shifter's came into the clinic where she worked. Due to
their accelerated healing, innate natural grace, and resistance to most diseases.
She seen them all around town though, while grabbing a sandwhich for lunch, or
filling up her gas tank. Most of the time they narrowed their gaze, eyes going
werewolf bright. Some smiled back hesitantly though. Emma figured that was
progress. This town was really beginning to grow on her, and Kian was the
miracle she was always afraid to wish for. Every night spent in Kian's arms was
worth whatever attitude she had to put up with.
Walking out of work smiling to herself at how much difference a week
makes Emma spotted Kayla leaning against a smaller SUV parked by her owncar. "Hey Kayla!"
Gripping her up in an exhuberant hug Kayla said "I'm kidnapping you for the
night. I already told Kian that he's been hoggin' you, and its time for a girls night."
"Girls night? That sounds fun, whatdaya got in mind?" Emma said laughing.
"Well first off, lets stop by your place and grab you a bag since you're spending
the night at my place. I need a trim, so to start the night off I made us both
appointments at the salon Split Ends in town. I'll follow you to your place, you can
leave your car there. It's gonna snow, and Kian would kill me if I let you drive that
little thing back from my place." Kayla said shoving Emma into her car and
shutting the door before quickly hopping into her own ride.
That girl was one big ball of energy, but Emma hadn't had her hair cut in
awhile, so why not! At home Emma changed into black leggings, a white tank
top, and a long gray open fronted cardigan. It looked cute, but she could sleep in
it too saving her space in her bag. Grabbing a large paisley patterned tote bag
and tossing a pair of scrubs for tommorow, her makeup bag, toothbrush, and
phone charger into it she zipped it closed. Remembering a pillow she headed
back out into the small living room Kayla was wandering around in.
"This place came furnished didn't it?" At Emma's nod Kayla continued "Nothing
here has you written on it."
"When you're always just passing through its easier to travel light." Emma said
locking up and realizing how cold it must look to Kayla who exhuded warmth likesunshine.
Climbing into the burgundy SVU, "Oh, Emma, I didn't mean it to sound so bad. I
am glad you're finally here though. My brother has been waiting for a long time
for you." At the confused look on Emma's face she went on."He doesn't realize
he was, but I have known for years how lonely he was. Kian just gave up hoping
there was a fated mate out there for him, and my brother isn't the kind of man
who settles for less."
Thinking about that as they drove toward the salon Emma wondered if
anyone else realized how perceptive Kayla really was. The radio was on a pop
station, and as the first notes of a catchy song started playing Kayla sang along
loudly. After the first verse Emma was laughing and singing with her. Pulling into
the strip mall with the salon halfway through the second song they stayed in the
car belting it out to each other until it was finished. Kayla said, "my Mom's
human
friend owns this place. She has been cutting my hair my whole life. She
doesn't know anything though, so zzzziiipppp." She mimed zipping her lips.
Emma nodded her head that she understood Kayla pulled open the door and
they walked in.
Some salons are relaxing with calming light blue and green decor, geared
toward stress relief. That was not this place. The walls were painted vibrant berry
pink color. This place was unashamedly fun, made for enjoying being a woman.
The kind of place women dished openly with each other about their sex lives, and
everyone would ask how many times you got off, or asking how well he washung. There were women seated in lilac purple chairs laughing with the stylists
snipping away at their hair. A comfortable white loveseat next to a coffee table
loaded with magazines and books full of hairstyles. Emma immediately loved
everything about it.
Before they could even sit down a stylish woman in her 50's with a light
blonde bob haircut and square rimmed pink leopard glasses walked over
wrapping Kayla up in a hug. "Oh, sweetie, its so good to see you! Is this the
beautiful woman Hannah was telling me about? Said she got a call from Kian
gushing about his new girlfriend! Hi, honey, Emma isn't it? I'm Tess, I can't wait
to get my hands in that spectacular hair of yours. It's naturally that color too?
Don't ever color it! Women have been coming to me trying to replicate that shade
of auburn for years!" Leading them to chairs she asked, "Just a trim Kayla? I love
that pixie on you. Makes you look like a woodland sprite."
"Yeah Tess, just a trim. I really love it. Thanks for talking me into it." Turning to
Emma she explained, "I used to always wear it really long."
"What about you Emma?" Tess asked as Kayla walked away with the shampoo
girl.
"Hhhhhmmm, I haven't had it cut in long time now. What do you think?"
"Nothing too short, or you would be fighting frizz with those curls all the time.
Maybe take a few inches off, and add lots of layers to really showcase all the
texture, and maybe frame your face." Tess said running her fingers through the
weight of Emma's hair."Sounds good to me!"
After getting shampooed, conditioned and settled back on to one of the
purple chairs Emma watched Tess work on Kayla's hair. Taking little snips here
and there it was almost magical, like
