Split Ends by Kristin Billerbeck Page A

again. I should have brought Vanilla. I could have snipped her hair and blow-dried it. She could have kept me company.
    But back to Scott. I can’t remember if he’s my boyfriend or cousin at the salon. She asked about a boyfriend. Is that what she meant? “Yes, we’ve been close for a long time.” Always avoid answering directly. That may become my new mantra. Just like Don’t ask, don’t tell at home.
    â€œI’d kill for his job. Do you get to wear the clothes all the time? He’s genius. His work on You Are My Life . . . classic. He’s like a stylist for real people, you know? He’s not dressing people up to look ridiculous for photo shoots. He avoided that whole ugly legging thing that cost so many stylists their job. I hear he’s the prince of prosthetics, too, and considering his own line of products. That is so hot.”
    Oh yeah, my cousin’s line of jelly boobs. Now there’s a pinnacle of success to take home to Sable. Not.
    â€œHe’s very artistic, and he’s a perfectionist. I guess it shows in his work.” Relationally? That’s another story.
    I look down at my jeans. Heaven forbid she asks me what they are, because I don’t remember as of two seconds ago. Salt and pepper, chili pepper, something food-oriented. Overpriced is all I remember. “I get to wear the clothes. At least for a little while. I just moved here, so I’m going to be building my wardrobe.” Duh, like I didn’t have a wardrobe in New York City?
    She leans in toward me. “Yoshi is really excited you’re here. He’s so anxious for some of Scott’s bigger clients. They always come to Yoshi in an emergency, but not regularly, and he’s so competitive, he can’t stand them going elsewhere. It’s like every client at another salon is a dagger to his heart; he takes it personally.” She shakes her head. Yoshi’s better than all of the others combined. A true artist. But he’s not very relational. You know when Jennifer Aniston’s marriage broke up? Chris McMillan was there for her. That’s what people want from their hair people these days: relationship. Yoshi’s just got the talent, not really the emotional pull. He does have Kelly Winkler. You know her? From Lilly Minder, MD ? The show on Cable 54? She’s in here all the time.”
    â€œI’m not familiar with it, no.” Cable 54? Apparently, there are a few more TV options here in lala land.
    â€œOh, girl, you have to watch it. TiVo it; it’s on Tuesday nights. It’s all the buzz here. Kelly is hot, hot, hot. She’s got a movie going this summer when Lilly stops filming, and so Yoshi knows she’s ready to break out. That’s why he took her personally.”
    â€œSo are the stars nice? Do they expect a lot?”
    â€œYou came from Ted Gibson. Didn’t you have some there? So many people are bicoastal these days.”
    I should just shut up now. I’m bicoastal. Which sounds like a disease, but it’s apparently an affluent way to live.
    â€œNow that Kelly Winkler’s on board, Yoshi’s getting some of the other stars of the show, because they all think they’re going to break out as well. They won’t, but it's good for appearances. Yoshi’s focused on the movie stars because then he’ll get screen credit, and that should help the product line immensely. That’s the ticket here in town. Product. Royalty streams. Your cousin seems to get that.” She stands up. “Scott has a lot of film stars. I can see the family resemblance.”
    Ah, so he is my cousin .
    â€œI’m Jenna.” She holds out her sleek, graceful hand. “While you’re getting the run of the place, just come ask me any questions. I’m the office manager, so if it's happening, I’m aware of it.”
    I love it. In Wyoming, we’d be lucky to have a receptionist. Here, we’ve got an