Lickin' License Read Online Free PDF Page B

Vanessa styled another woman's Shirley Temple curls into a short Anita Baker 'do. The third woman left the shop with a weave that hung to the small of her back.
    “I see you puttin' it down, Vanessa,” Chanel said.
    “Since I was sixteen,” Vanessa responded, sitting down to
    wait on her last client's arrival. “How old are you?” asked Chanel.
    “Twenty-two,” Vanessa said proudly. Her eyes drifted to the
    man waltzing up to the shop in a crisp Armani suit. Damn, he's handsome. His body looks kind of toned underneath that blazer, too.
    Chanel noticed Vanessa's roaming eyes. “That’s Rich,” she announced.
    Vanessa watched Rich. He sat on one of the chairs in the row reserved for clients awaiting service. He folded one leg over the other, like a business professional in an executive meeting. His green Mauri alligator shoes shined under the bright lights in the shop. He began reading The Wall Street Journal.
    “Hey, Rich,” Meisha said. She was trimming a woman's hair. “You got about five minutes before I'm done.”
    “I know I'm a little early,” Rich said, peeping over the newspaper.
    “How you doing, Rich?” Leah yelled.
    “Leah, how you, baby?”
    “Can't complain.”
    “Ain't you supposed to be switching your last name?”
    “Just engaged, for now. Two more months and I'll be in that long white dress.”
    “Just give me the date and the address. You know I gottta watch you walk down that aisle.”
    “You know you're invited.”
    “All right, all right.” Rich smiled, then looked at Candy. “Big Candy, what's going on in your world?”
    “Progress. I think I have a new stylist,” she said, putting her
    hand on Vanessa’s shoulder. Vanessa turned to her with a wide smile.
    “You got the job,” Candy whispered.
    “Thanks.”
    “Don't sweat it.”
    Rich's eyes were sizing up Vanessa. “And what might this lovely new lady's name be?”
    Vanessa responded with her name.
    “Well, Vanessa, I'm Rich.” He grinned. “Let me rewind that. My name is Rich, but I am fairly wealthy.” He chuckled.
    “Tsss,” Chanel sighed.
    Rich turned to Chanel. “Somebody get a spare, ‘cause ol’ girl got a flat tire.”
    “Not tonight, Rich.” Chanel waved her hand.
    “Not tomorrow morning, afternoon, or night either. It will never be nothing between us but air.”
    “What. . .ever,” Chanel said, rolling her eyes.
    Rich pointed at Chanel. “I'll take that as a cue that I can continue talking to this lovely young lady.” He turned back to Vanessa.
    “Vanessa, right?”
    “Correct,” she answered.
    “Well, Vanessa, I wish you success on the new job.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Thank yourself, 'cause you made it happen. It's all about you, baby.” He smiled.
    “That's one way to look at it,” Vanessa said, as she sized up Rich. Her eyes took in everything from his trimmed mustache and sideburns, to the diamond stud in his left ear and the bulge between his legs. She could tell that Rich was the type of man who women feared introducing to their friends. He had a strong presence and sense of style that could cause the most loyal woman to cross her best friend. He was a smooth talker, not just because of what he said, but how he spoke. Words rolled off his tongue with an air of confidence and preciseness that Vanessa had never seen. She was itching to know if he handled himself as smooth in the bedroom.
    “What's up, Vanessa?”
    Vanessa looked up, spotting her last client strolling through the door. She helped the young man to his seat. Vanessa started by shampooing his 'fro. Next, she dried his hair and greased his scalp, before braiding his hair into cornrows. When she was finished, Rich was walking past her.
    “You have a good night.” He winked at Vanessa and was out the door before she could respond.
    “Girl, you don't want to mess with him,” Candy said.
    Vanessa turned to Chanel. “So what's it with you and Rich?”
    “Nothing,” Chanel said.
    “She thinks she's God's gift to this