Please see the first chapter for disclaimers
Shelia continued to watch the pair as they engaged in what appeared to be a staring contest. Before she could ask what was going on, she watched as Shane seemed to gather her composure first.
"Wow, it's great to see you," she told Carmen as she pulled her into an awkward hug, not because either was uncomfortable, but because neither was sure how long it would be ok for them to hold on. When they did let go just a few seconds later, Shane looked at Shelia and then back at Carmen. "If you want to follow Shelia, she'll get you set up. I just need to grab a few things from my office and I'll be right with you." Carmen nodded, a little despondent by the professional manner Shane had taken on. Shane flashed her a grin and turned in the direction of the office.
Motioning for the DJ to follow her, Shelia tried to start up a conversation. "So, how do you know Shane?"
Carmen smiled at exactly how they knew each other. "We're old friends," she replied. "But we haven't seen or heard from each other in six years."
"Maybe you could solve a long standing mystery for us then," Shelia said.
"What mystery would that be?" Carmen asked.
"Well, what we want to know is if she's married or mourning?" Shelia stopped by a chair and motioned for Carmen sit down.
"What makes you think she's either?" Carmen asked as she took the seat. "There isn't a line of women a mile long in and out of here after her?" Carmen wasn't sure how much, if at all, Shane had changed so she decided to go with previous habits.
Sheila looked a little confused from the comment the Latina made. "Sure they come after her, but it's like she doesn't see them. We figured she's either hopelessly in love and committed to the love of her life, or she lost her in some tragic accident."
Carmen wasn't sure how to respond and instead decided to change the topic to something she knew about; music. Thankfully Shelia was a fan and had all kinds of questions. Deep down however, Carmen couldn't get the thought of Shane ignoring hordes of women out of her mind and what that could possibly mean for them.
Meanwhile, back in the office, Shane was pacing around her desk with her cell phone pressed to her ear.
"Alice what have you done?" Shane barked into the phone.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Yoda," Alice replied, the feigned innocence obvious in her tone.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Shane retorted, getting a little angry.
"Ok, so maybe I recommended and made an appointment for a friend and put it under the term celebrity so that you would get it."
"Why, Alice?" Shane almost begged.
"Because you're ready," Alice replied softly.
"I wanted to be prepared. What am I going to say to her?"
"Start with an invite to dinner to catch up," Alice told her. "You haven't seen each other in over six years. We haven't told her anything about you, and the only thing we've told you is that she's still single. You guys are practically strangers. This will be a good chance to start all over."
"I hope you're right about this," Shane sighed.
"I'm always right." Shane could hear the smirk in Alice's voice.
"Sure you are, Al," Shane laughed. "I better get back out there before Carmen thinks I bolted on her again. Say hi to the girls for me." After hearing an affirmative answer from Alice, Shane snapped the cell phone shut and re-clipped it to her belt. She took a deep breath to try and calm her nerves before she opened the door to her office and reentered her salon.
Stepping out of the office, she paused as she watched Shelia and Carmen talking. At that moment, Carmen had her head thrown back in laughter from something Shelia had said. Thinking of the possible stories Carmen could be hearing, Shane decided it was time to get her receptionist back to work.
"So then we have like a shop full of girls all asking her to sign the ad. It was crazy," Shelia said as Carmen laughed again.
"Shelia, answer the phone," Shane said with a smirk as she walked up to the chair.
"But it's not ring…" Shelia began, only to be interrupted by the ringing phone. "…ing." Shelia looked at Shane with a confused look on her face. Sighing and shaking her head, she walked off towards the front desk. Shane smiled as she watched Carmen stare at her, her eyes asking how she did that.
"The same girl has been calling here around 6:15 every night since that stupid ad was published," Shane explained with a shrug.
"I happen to like that ad," Carmen replied. She smiled at the small blush that began to creep up Shane's face.
Clearing her throat, Shane decided to try and have a normal conversation. "So tell me about this event," she said. She walked around the back of the chair and looked into Carmen's eyes through the mirror.
For a moment, as their eyes connected, Carmen couldn't speak. It was like she was drowning in the green pools of Shane's eyes. Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Carmen began to tell Shane about the event tomorrow night that would serve as her interview for one of the hottest new acts in music. By the time she was done talking, Shane was done working her magic on Carmen's hair. Carmen looked at herself in the mirror, and was surprised at how different she looked, yet still uniquely her.
"Amazing," Carmen replied.
Shane just shrugged. "I could have done better. Maybe if I just…"
"No!" Carmen exclaimed. "Don't touch anything. It's perfect." Their eyes met once again in the mirror, but before either one of them could say anything; their moment was interrupted by the ringing of Shane's cell phone.
From the ringtone alone, Shane knew that even if she had wanted to, she couldn't ignore the call. "Hang on just a second I have to take this," Shane said, letting out a sigh of frustration. She picked up the ringing cell phone and answered the call. "Hey Jenna…no, I'll be home in about an hour…No, don't worry about it…see you later."
She watched as Shane snapped the phone closed and reclipped it to her belt. Listening to the Shane's end of the conversation, Carmen couldn't help but feel disappointed that she was already taken. Even though she felt like her heart was breaking just a little, she knew that they could at least try to be friends.
Shane gave Carmen an apologetic smile. "I think you're all set Ms. Morales," Shane said, choosing to ignore the interruption for the time being. She knew she was going to have to talk about it eventually, and knowing Carmen, she would ask if given the chance.
Carmen smiled at Shane through the mirror, gathered her things, and stood up, following Shane up to the register. "How much do I owe you?" Carmen asked, realizing for the first time that Alice never told her how much this place cost.
Stuffing her hands in her pockets, Shane just shook her head and smiled. "You money is no good here, Carmen," she told her.
Carmen looked at Shane as if she were crazy. "Shane, I can't just not pay."
"Then you can repay me by having dinner with me next Friday," Shane told her. "It's been six years; I think we have a lot to catch up on."
Carmen felt her chest swell with hope. It might be just a dinner to catch up, but it was a start. "Sure," Carmen replied. "Just tell me when and where."
At this Shane looked a little uncertain. "Why don't I get your number, and I'll call you and let you know. I have to find a babysitter first," she explained. When she saw how upset that comment had made Carmen, she continued. "Come to dinner and I will explain everything."
Carmen wrote down her number on a slip of paper and handed it to Shane. Giving her a small smile, Carmen walked out of the shop, hoping that everything would be clearer next week.