Rosita Starts Over
“Mia, seriously, I can’t believe you only left an hour between those two old ladies again,” Nico said as he walked into the salon without even saying hello. His thick eyebrows—much darker than his hair—were pulled into a frown.
Mia let out a sharp gasp.
“What do you mean again?” she shot back, jumping up from behind the reception desk. “That hasn’t happened in at least six months.”
Nico threw his hands up, waving them around dramatically, his big brown eyes rolling.
“Well then, I’m officially taking away your imaginary six-month badge and sending you straight back to the ‘Appointment Screw-Ups Anonymous’ meetings—seven days a week.”
Mia’s glossed lips tightened in irritation. For a moment she gripped the edge of the desk so hard her fingers went pale, then slowly dropped back into her chair.
“I’m so sorry, Nico,” she sighed. “Should I call Dolores and ask her to come later?”
“Please don’t,” he said, waving her off. “I’ll figure something out.” The door to the tiny washroom opened, and Lara, the owner, stepped out.
“I’ll keep her busy for a bit while you finish,” she said, winking.
She pulled the hair clip from her back pocket and twisted her thick, corkscrew curls into a loose bun.
“Let’s ask her about the new neighbors,” Mia said, already getting excited. “You know—the ones she says give her nightmares. The one she saw on the roof at night… with a broom.”
Nico slapped his forehead.
“Right, the witch family! I almost forgot. The way she told it, we were starting to get scared… we thought she’d completely lost it.”
Lara gave a slow shrug.
“To be honest, I still think that…”
She didn’t get to finish. Rosita’s familiar figure appeared behind the glass door.
Lara didn’t wait—she swung it open wide for her.
“Did my niece manage to find the place last week?” Rosita asked, slightly out of breath. “I kept explaining which little street it’s on, behind which block, but she just wouldn’t get it.”
“Don’t worry, Rosita,” Nico said, gently guiding her inside. “She got here just fine and left with gorgeous nails. Didn’t she call to tell you how amazing Lara’s work was?”
Rosita waved a hand dismissively.
“These kids… they’re only interested in us as long as they need something. After that, they forget all about us. Though to be fair, I completely forgot about her too… I only remembered when I was coming down the stairs to the salon. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest wondering if she’d managed to find you.”
“Come on, let’s get you to the wash station,” Nico said softly. “And you can tell me everything that’s happened since.”
Rosita didn’t need to be asked twice. With a long, satisfied sigh, she settled into the chair, already closing her eyes before the warm water began to run through her fine grey hair.
“I broke up with my boyfriend,” she announced cheerfully. “He was so boring in bed. Honestly, Nico… completely useless. I had to take charge of everything,” she added, with a hint of self-importance. “I got tired of it. What am I supposed to do with someone like that, really?”
She cracked one eye open and glanced toward Lara.
“Tell me, Lara—am I right?”
Lara nodded, her expression perfectly neutral.
“You’re absolutely right, Rosita.” Then she turned toward the reception desk. “Right, Mia?”
Mia nodded eagerly, her messy blonde curls bouncing with the movement.
“I would’ve dumped him too,” she said with a casual flick of her hand. “You did the right thing, Rosita.”
“And?” Nico leaned in a little closer. “So? Got someone new already?”
Rosita’s lips curved into a sly smile.
“First, I’ll book a massage… and then we’ll see.”
Mia quickly covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing. Lara shot her a sharp look, but didn’t say a word. The client comes first. You don’t laugh at them. You don’t hurt them. You don’t judge.
Mia tapped the mouse lightly against the desk, then opened the booking system.
“When should I put you down, Rosita?”
“The very first available slot, my dear,” Rosita replied without hesitation.
In her excitement, she bit her lower lip.