Page 116 of Cut up
My salon. My name on the window. My future blooming between these walls.
Lucas, Sarah, Georgia, Tyler, Danielle, Nicole, Jill and even Patrick are gathered close by me, sipping champagne, laughing, and chatting with my clients who’ve become like family too. My most loyal, beautiful clients, every one of them showed up for me. For us.
A white cab pulls up out the front of the shop.
I stare, until I notice who’s in the car.
I freeze in place, absorbing what I’m seeing.
Dad.
He made it. Just in time.
The cab door swings open and he climbs out, tall and broad-shouldered, the sun catching on his tanned skin. He crosses the road in long, purposeful strides, his short dark hair ruffled by the breeze.
His hazel eyes find mine and suddenly I feel like a kid again.
He doesn’t say anything at first, he just pulls me into a big, crushing hug that lifts me off the ground a little. I sink into it, holding on tight.
I was already feeling emotional. But this? This tipped me right over the edge. I didn’t realise how much I’d missed him until now.
“Looks like I made it just in time, Bug,” he murmurs, his voice rough in that comforting way.
“You did.” I smile up at him, my eyes blurry, and he reaches down to wipe away the tear sliding down my cheek.
A gentle squeeze on my hand grabs my attention. Lucas is beside me, his other hand holding the scissors.
“I’m Lucas.”
“I’m Chris, nice to officially meet you Lucas. Now, should we get this thing started?”
Lucas meets my eyes. Soft, steady and proud.
“You ready, Angel?” he whispers.
I nod, blinking quickly.
“I wishshecould be here too,” I say quietly.
“She is,” he says looking around. “And she’s probably losing her mind with how proud she is.”
That’s when Sarah claps her hands together, her voice rising above the chatter, loud and bright as always. “Alright, everyone! It’s time!”
She starts moving toward us, weaving through the crowd with her usual energy. But then she spots Dad. And for a moment, something flickers across her face—something I can’t quite put my finger on—she smooths it over with a smile.
Beside me, Dad goes stillwhen he sees her.
Before I can overthink it, Lucas takes my hand and gently leads me toward the entrance to the salon. I step up to the ribbon stretched across the front door, Lucas at my side, his hand still wrapped around mine.
The crowd begins to count down.
“Three… two… one—”
I cut the ribbon.
They erupt in cheers and claps, laughter and love, and I smile through it all. Because for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
My heart is light. My soul feels steady. My past doesn’t hold me anymore. It shaped me, but it didn’t break me.
