Page 112 of Heartstruck at Dawn
I immediately tensed up, wondering what Carolina would do with my face, but I didn’t have the guts to ask. And something told me I wouldn’t have a say in what I wanted. And I didn’t want much, actually. The less, the better.
She applied primer on my eyelids and asked me to keep my eyes shut for a while.Damn it!I took one last sip of my coffee and hoped for the best.
After a few minutes, I was allowed to open my eyes. I could see Carolina dabbing her brushes away, but I couldn’t see what colors she was using.
“You need to relax, m’kay, mama? You’re tensing up,” Carolina said with a warm smile. She had long, sleek, black hair and her skin was a shade of light brown. She was so maternal in her way of talking and moving. She made you feel safe and taken care of in an instant. I liked her immediately.
“See? She’s tense, Lily. For God’s sake, just get the wine out already,” Frankie said with a serious face. That’s what made her funny, that she wasn’t trying too hard to crack a joke.
We all laughed.
Lily’s hair was looking great. Frankie gave her a sleek, pulled-back pony and used a few hair extensions to make it appear longer. I knew we couldn’t have the same hairdo, but I would’ve loved that look on myself. It looked so pretty and elegant.
Carolina handed me a mirror when she was done with my makeup. I was in shock.
“Oh, my God. It’s as if I weren’t wearing any makeup. I love it!”
“Thank you!” She laughed. “That’s the biggest compliment ever. I’m glad you liked it. This is what Ilaria asked for, and I think you look gorgeous, mama.” Carolina made me close my eyes for a few seconds and splashed some makeup-setting spray on my face. “This will make your makeup last for a week.”
“You look beautiful,” Lily said, stepping down from her chair.
“Your hair looks amazing. I love sleek updos a lot,” I said, switching chairs so Frankie could do my hair, hoping she would take a hint.
“Well, too bad because you’re wearing your hair down,” Frankie said with a laugh. “Ilaria’s orders.”More like William’s orders.Evidently, Ilaria liked pleasing William, which wasn’t surprising. “I was thinking of straight hair, parted in the middle, and we could pull the front part behind your ears to make it look sleek, and that way your hair won’t cover your jacket, which Ilaria wants to avoid.”
“What if you cut it?” I asked Frankie. She widened her eyes with a smile. If that wasn’t an excited face …
“Are you sure? I could call Ilaria and see what she thinks. But I’m always eager for a makeover.”
“Billie, but your hair,” Lily said, touching it.
I wanted to send a message to William by doing this. He didn’t call the shots here. I did. I would wear my hair down, but cutting it would undoubtedly make a statement.
“Maybe something around—here,” I said, touching my shoulder. “And I agree with you. Straight and sleek. I’m sure Ilaria would approve. I would still be wearing my hair down as requested.”
“Fuck it. Let’s do it,” Frankie said, placing her cutting tools out on the table.
“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” Lily said, touching my hair for the last time.
My hair wassolong, a few inches below my breasts. And that’s the way I’d had it all my life. Long, straight, boring. It was time for a change.
I took a deep breath and rubbed my hands together. “Okay, do your thing before I change my mind.”
“I’m going to braid you up first. Would you like to donate it?” Frankie asked. “You would make someone extremely happy with this beautiful hair.”
“Of course! I’d love to.”
Frankie braided my hair, and without warning, she chopped it off. Lily screamed, and I laughed at her reaction. “Frankie’s not cutting your hair. You’re aware of that, right?” I told Lily, still laughing.
“I’m shook. Billie, you’re a new woman. You know what Coco Chanel said about a woman who cuts her hair, right?”
“What did she say?”
“That she’s about to change her life.”
“Oh.” I didn’t know if I was in achange my lifekind of mood, but it sure was liberating.
Frankie kept cutting my hair, giving it shape and making it look great. “You’ve made my day. You have no idea,” she said, giving it the final touches. “Ready for the big reveal?”
