Page 1 of Our Unexpected Beginning
One
Julia
Julia Sinclair tossed the hair color-splattered towel at the kitchen trash can and missed. “Well, there goes another one to the graveyard pile.”
“I don’t understand why you don’t have black towels,” Melody replied, her hands deftly braiding her damp hair as she sat at the vanity, perfectly in her element.
“Because then I can’t tell what color is on them or if I got all the color out,” Julia retorted with a playful laugh, sticking her tongue out at her best friend Melody.
“Do you have stock in the company?” Melody quipped back, raising an eyebrow at her reflection.
“I should.” Julia ran her fingers through her freshly colored hair, admiring how well she managed to keep the vibrant red underneath from bleeding into the sun-kissed blonde. She tossed her damp hair over her shoulder, and it fell to the middle of her back. “Well?” Her enthusiasmwas palpable, and momentarily, the chaotic day washed away. “It’s different.”
“Has it appeased the mental health gods? Or will scissors be entering the chat?” Melody asked, tilting her head to gauge Julia's reaction.
“Well, I don’t have my clippers becausesomeonesaid I can’t have them.“ Which was mean, Melody was the one with the Daddy dom, not Julia.
“That someone is me.” Mel chuckled, matting her hair into tighter braids. “I don’t know why you thought you could edge designs in your head when you’re drunk.”
Julia grimaced at the memory. The squiggles she shaved looked more akin to a heart monitor mid-cardiac episode than the Charlie Brown zig-zag she was aiming for. “I was clearly spirited!”
“What am I going to do with you?” Melody asked as she began cleaning the mess Julia had left behind with meticulous precision.
Julia rolled her eyes. Her friend was ever the perfectionist and far enough opposite of Julia to stay friends.
“Love me and put up with my bullshit as I do yours.” Her voice was warm, unyieldingly friendly.
“Easy for you to say. You know how strict Wes can be.”
“Oh yes, the mean ‘ol Daddy who loves to tie you down and make you come until you’re unable to speak.” Julia feigned horror, placing a hand dramatically over her mouth before a sly grin splashed across her features.
“I, for one, won’t be complaining.” Melody’s face turned a shade of crimson that rivaled Julia’s hair, yet there was a spark of satisfaction beneath her embarrassment.
“You earned it after twat-waffle Jason. I’m so glad he got the hint.”
“Right?” Mel said, waggling her eyebrows and unwinding the braid she'd carefully placed. “It only took over a hundred rejected calls and a threat of physical violence.”
“I remember. Half the club heard when Wes tossed you over his shoulder and carted you off the bar floor.” Julia bent at the waist, flipping her hair and quickly putting it into a haphazard knot, laughter bubbling over as she recalled the scene.
Julia opened her makeup bag and rifled through it, looking for her compact. “Speaking of the club. Is your Daddy letting you out to play?”
Melody raised an eyebrow, her face a mixture of excitement and concern. “We’re going, I don’t know if we’re playing at the club.” she sighed. “He can be a bit overprotective. I get it; he loves me and wants to keep me safe.”
“He’s also a bit possessive.”
“Yes. Yes, he is.” They both knew she wouldn’t want it any other way.
“Don’t forget to tell him that Valentine’s Day is coming soon. A gift to soften him up wouldwork wonders.”
“I have plans already.” A hint of a smile danced on Melody’s lips. “I’m thinking of something daring, like a little sexy ensemble.”
“Sounds exciting.” Julia winked, inadvertently tossing another towel into the growing pile on the floor. “Do you need something from the closet?”
“No, the shoes I had last time are still in the hallway.”
She stepped in front of the mirror, loving how the platinum blonde hair contrasted sharply against deep scarlet strands—an unusual yet captivating combination—inspired by both freedom and wildness.
“So, what’s with the hair change? Did things not go well with Graham?”
