First Kiss Last by Sara Miller (read e book .TXT) 📗

continued to browse the shelves looking for a new novel for herself, but nothing caught her eye.

Leah was about to give up when she saw it. A small display of books accompanied by their movie adaptations. As she scanned the featured items, Leah realized she had never read The Princess Bride, only watched the movie. She plucked the book off the shelf.

After purchasing her items, Leah headed to the attached coffee shop. She was pleased to discover the barista could make her favorite drink in decaf. She sat down and waited for her beverage. Her ankles ached and she really wished she could put her feet up. Leah sighed in relief as she rested them on the rung of the chair across from her. It wasn’t perfect but it helped. A few moments later, a friendly voice startled her.

“Here you go.”

Leah looked up and saw a young woman holding out a cup. Other than the blue streaks in her hair, she seemed perfectly normal.

“I was grabbing mine when I saw yours was done too. I thought this would be easier than you having to get back up,” she immediately cringed. “That came out wrong, sorry.”

Leah looked to the counter. When the barista gave her a thumbs up, she took her drink. “Thank you.”

“No problem. I come here a lot, like too much. I work across the street,” she pointed.

Leah tried to twist in her seat but there was no way for her to look without getting up.

“Sorry,” the girl apologized. “It’s not important to see it. It’s just a small salon. My aunt owns it and she’s letting me rent a space. I only just got my license a few months ago. But I’m really good. Honest. My aunt wouldn’t give me a space if she didn’t think I had legit skills. See Tammy? I did her hair.”

“Who?” Leah was confused. Not by what the young woman was saying, but why she was speaking to her. Was the woman lonely or bored? Maybe both. Leah’s neck was starting to hurt from looking up at her.

“The barista, Tammy. Like I said, I’m here a lot,” she shrugged nervously, finally pausing to catch her breath.

“Her hair is cute,” Leah concluded after a moment of silence between them. “It really suits her face. Did she bring you a picture of what she wanted?” Leah watched the girl shake her head and blush.

“No, actually . . . I suggested it.”

“Well then, your aunt must be right. My name’s Leah, by the way. Did you want to sit?” Leah motioned to any of the seats nearby, but not the one she was using for a foot rest.

“Dakota,” she smiled, taking a nearby seat at her own table where they could easily converse. “Have you ever thought of cutting your hair?”

Leah stared blankly at Dakota. Leah had always had her hair long. Until recently, she either straightened it or pulled it back. But lately she had started to wonder if there was a better way to care for her waves.

“I have three older sisters,” Dakota shared. “And none of them kept their long hair after they had babies. They said it was a nightmare. And your hair, with that wave,” she smiled excitedly. “Imagine if you cut off the weight of all that length. I bet your waves would almost curl. It’d be gorgeous. Not that your hair isn’t nice how it is—ugh, sorry. I have no filter.”

“So, what would you suggest?” Leah watched Dakota’s face. She was animated enough as it was, but when she spoke about hair, her passion was evident.

“Really? Oh, my gosh!” Dakota looked around almost frantically. She grabbed a napkin and borrowed a pen from Tammy at the counter.

Leah watched as Dakota scribbled furiously. Dakota scrunched up the napkin and tried again. She was truly an artist at work. After several failed attempts, she beamed. Dakota handed her the drawing with nervous excitement.

“This.”

Dakota’s drawing proved her artistic talent. Leah was looking at . . . herself. Well, a version of herself she had never seen before. And she liked it a lot. She fingered her wavy locks and considered.

Leah set down the napkin drawing and finished the last of her beverage. She looked again at the barista’s cute style and at Dakota’s own hair. The girl was on the edge of her seat. So far, this is the longest she had remained silent and looked fit to burst.

Leah touched the napkin and nodded, “Let’s do it.”

Dakota squealed.

“Really? REALLY?!” She jumped up and hugged Leah.

“Yes, but I have to use the restroom first,” Leah confessed with a laugh.

Dakota was completely understanding. They agreed to meet across the street in fifteen minutes. The girl practically skipped out the door. Leah was equally as excited but her movements were more limited. She waddled.

Twenty-four hours later, Leah was still looking in the mirror every chance she got. Or she would see her reflection in a shiny surface and catch herself staring. She could not get over the transformation.

Leah loved her haircut.

She felt light and free. Even after showering and styling it on her own for the first time, she was still in love. It was so easy. She couldn’t wait to surprise Lily and the girls.

Leah got a text from Lily mid-morning saying they were doing a late checkout. Probably because it was still raining. Leah did not mind, although it meant she had to wait even longer to show off her new hairdo.

She settled in with her new book. Now the soft sound of rain was peaceful. Leah read until she had to use the bathroom.

Afterward, she wandered to the kitchen. She pulled down one of Lily’s cookbooks and skimmed the pages, trying to decide what to do with the leftover roasted chicken from a few days before. Finding a recipe that appealed to her, Leah got to work. Soon, she had a large pot of white chicken chili simmering on the stove.

She went back to the living room and put her feet up.