INSECURE

ROMAN CLOUD

Roman inviting me to pass by his Barbershop after I finished work was an unexpected surprise. Unexpected but welcoming.

He had a last-minute customer and placed me in the shops 'Employees Only' room towards the back. Which was perfectly fine with me. I didn't want to get in the way.

The room was a perfect combination of Roman's cologne and weed the weed he smoked. It was almost as if I was floating on a Roman cloud. The olive-green couch that I was currently snuggled into with a black blanket covering me and keeping me warm from the aircon blowing also added to the floating sensation.

This is nice.

So comfortable.

***

"I know you aren't sleeping right now?" A voice asked amused.

When did I fall asleep?

After the dream I had last night, I was unable to close my eyes again.

"Sorry." Stretching my body against the couch. "In here is so comfy, and I didn't get much sleep last night."

His eyebrows furrowed. "Why not?"

I averted my eyes. "Weird dream."

He nodded. "Well, you are more than welcome here anytime." He tilted his head. "For naps, and whatever else you may like." A smile played behind his lips.

Glancing up at him, I knew what he was insinuating.

Something about this man made me feel shy and timid. His words always make me want to blush and divert my eyes from him.

"Come on, let me show you around the shop..." He grasped my hand, pulling me up from the dream couch.

The barbershop had a very simple and minimal aesthetic. All white, with black and grey accents.

It wasn't a massive space, but it was long. It comfortably housed three couches against the back wall for customers, and six barber stations in front. Three televisions were placed above the stations so that people sitting in the couches, and those in the chair could watch whatever was on the screen. 

Above the mirrors for each station, you could see the name of the barber who was renting out that specific chair engraved onto a silver plaque.

It was amazing to know he did this all on his own.

"Started from cutting hair in my room, and doing house calls..." He stated as if he was reading my mind. "To owning this and having six employees under me." He shook his head, as though he couldn't believe it himself.

It was amazing.

FADE had come a long way. He had every reason to be proud.

I made a dramatic 180 and turned to look at him. "Who cuts your hair?"

"I cut it myself."

"How?"

He shrugged. "I just do. Have been for years."

"You should let me cut your hair."

The eruption of laughter that came from him was the last thing I expected. "Never." He sputtered. "Not in a million years."

Apparently, my glare was enough to cut his laughing spree to an immediate halt.

"Listen..." He put his hands up. "There are guys who have been cutting hair longer than you've been alive and I still wouldn't let them touch my hair."

I arched an eyebrow. "And?"

He chuckled. "Aight." He leaned into me. "How about this..." My back hit the rear of one of the barber chairs, as he pulled in closer. "Give me a kiss... and I'll let you put a T."