In my line of work, there's no such thing as a normal day. I'm an esthetician. I mostly do facials and waxing. I'm also a professional makeup artist. I have stories. So many stories. Like today, for example.
I got to work at 7am and started setting up my room. I work at a large upscale spa in Boston. I'm checking my appointments for the day and see a familiar name. It couldn't be. For a manzilian?!
I race to the front desk and find Shea clocking in for her shift.
"Shea. Morning. I need to know about my 1 o'clock. Did he ask for me?"
She tilts her head in confusion at my abruptness before checking her computer.
"Let's see. Ryan. My notes say he requested you. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah. Yes. I wanted to make sure he was the right person."
I nod and slowly walk away. I get around the corner and take off back to my room. I finish setting up for the day while constantly thinking about Ryan. Ryan is friends with my ex-boyfriend.
My ex and I broke up a week ago. He and Ryan aren't super close. We'd run into him at parties here and there. Nothing consistent but I've had some conversations with him.
I get through my first two clients and take my break. Feeling anxious about Ryan. I'm allowed to work on people I know. The only strict rule is I can't do services like Brazilian or manzilian on someone I'm romantically involved with. Pretty common-sense rules.
Have other esthetician's, including myself, followed that rule here? No. To be fair, the guys I did those services on were not my boyfriends yet.
Ryan and I are acquaintances at best. There was one party I saw him at when I was first dating my ex. He was pretty drunk and told me I deserved better than him. That was all he said about my ex, and he never brought it up again. Six months later, he was right.
This is pretty bold of him to schedule with me. I've been single for barely a week. I'm used to an ex's friends dming me but booking a wax with me is a first.
I'm finishing up from my previous client when the screen in my room notifies me Ryan has checked in. I feel my stomach drop and I take a deep breath. I meet each guest in the waiting room and escort them to my work room.
I turn the corner and my eyes lock with Ryan's. He's casually leaning against the wall, dressed nicely for work. Collared button up, tie, slacks, and dress shoes. He's an accountant for his family's business.
We both smile and I call his name. We walk quietly to my room, and I shut the door behind us. Safely inside, I whisper yell at him.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
He seems amused and a bit shocked. A sly smile pulls at the left side of his mouth. He puts his hands up playfully in defense. He keeps his response hushed.
"Hey! Hey! I lost a bet, okay? I have to get this wax and I remembered Victor saying you do this, among other things, for work. I'd rather you do it than a stranger."
I calm down a bit and speak in a nicer tone.
"You could have given me a heads up. Victor and I broke up last week."
"Okay, fair. I apologize. I should have talked to you first. If it helps at all, you look like you're doing much better than he is."
I try not to smile and keep things professional. I'm on the clock for this service and I have no idea how much hair he has.
Ryan has dark brown hair and light brown eyes. Like the color of honey. From the body hair I have seen, it's not too dense.
"Thanks. On to the reason you're here. Please undress from the waist down. You can keep your socks on if you prefer. The chair behind you is for you to put your clothes on and whatever else you brought. Then, get on the table and lie on your back."
