Fierce Salon, Episode Four: A New Adult Smexy Serial by Aspen Drake Page B

me back in a good mood. When Sharon walks in, I’m actually a little giddy. Between my morning endorphins and a venti pumpkin spice latte, I’m buzzing around the poor woman as I walk her in.
    “I thought I was with Nate today?” She looks around the salon, disappointed to find herself in my chair instead of his.
    “He had an appointment that couldn’t be rescheduled.” I give her a big smile and gently pat her shoulder while she settles into my chair. “I’m sorry about the last minute change but I’m looking forward to working on you.”
    “Um, okay. That’s fine.”
    “Can I get you anything to drink before we get started?”
    Sharon shakes her head. “No, thanks. I’m feeling a little under the weather. My water is fine.” She holds up a plastic water bottle then sets it on the counter.
    “Great.” I run my fingers through her dark hair to see what I’ll be working with. It’s long enough to almost reach her butt. She has an exotic look that I can’t quite place but the thickness and weight of her hair makes me think she has some Asian genes. “What can I do for you today?”
    “Just a trim.” She blows her bangs off her forehead. “I hate when my bangs are in my eyes. Just take half an inch off the front and an inch off the back.”
    “Sure thing.” I turn to my cabinet to reach for a drape. I’ve only had my back turned for a few seconds when I hear a low moan come from behind me.
    When I look back, Sharon is slumped over, lifeless in my chair.
    “Sharon?” I pull her up by her shoulders to see if she’s conscious. Her eyes roll back and all color drains from her face.
    “Nate!” I scream while trying to move Sharon into a safer position.  “I need help. Call 9-1-1.”
    Olivia is by my side with her phone in her hand. She stands behind Sharon and holds her head against her chest to keep it from flopping backwards. I’m fumbling with Sharon’s wrist when I feel Nate’s strong body behind me.
    “What happened, Amy?” He’s pressed against my back as he replaces my fingers with his own and lowers his cheek to Sharon’s mouth.
    “I don’t know. She just passed out.” My voice is shaking as much as my hands. “Is she alive?”
    “She’s breathing.” Nate looks up at Olivia. She’s relaying the situation to an emergency dispatcher when Nate scoops Sharon out of my chair and carries her to the sofa in his office.
    I follow at his heels as Julia tries to get everyone in the salon to calm down and get back to what they were doing. I don’t want to get too close but I also don’t want to be alone so I kneel beside Nate in front of my unconscious client.
    He’s brushing the sweaty hair from Sharon’s forehead when her whole body jolts up and she begins to gasp for breath. The scene reminds me of a drowning victim in a movie but this is real life and there wasn’t any water.
    Sharon’s eyes open just as two EMTs and a police officer rush into Nate’s office. I don’t move until Nate stands and gently pulls me to my feet and away from Sharon.
    “She’ll be okay,” he says quietly while the EMTs get to work. “Just have a seat over here while they check her out.”
    I nod and sit at Nate’s desk while he begins to explain as much as he knows to the officer. When I finally take a look at the man, I realize he is a younger version of Nate. He’s very handsome but with a rounder face that gives off a playfulness I’ve never seen on Nate.
    By the time Sharon is sitting up and drinking a cup of orange juice, my muscles ache from being held so tightly. I’ve never seen anyone pass out before, much less in my chair.
    Nate guides the officer over and introduces him. “Amy, I’d like you to meet Officer Montague. He heard the call come in and wanted to check on us.”
    “Montague?” I look between the two men, surprised by the unfamiliar name. “Oh, you guys look so much alike that I thought you were related.”
    The officer smirks and nudges Nate’s elbow.