Lickin' License by Intelligent Allah Page B

Candy had been downplaying her interest in Vanessa. Anything that developed between them would have to be a private affair. The gossip that went on in the shop could destroy the strongest relationship. And Candy was determined to be with Vanessa, uninterrupted by he say-she say or any other external influence.
    As clients began to trickle into the shop, Candy kept her eyes on her crew. Meisha was still probing Vanessa about Rich. Candy could see Chanel's blatant jealousy was developing into hate for Vanessa. Besides a pretty face, Vanessa was nothing like the females who were fabric addicts with big hips that Rich was known for having, women like Chanel. The more Candy thought about Rich's womanizing, the more she assumed his use for Vanessa would run out quickly. That would leave Vanessa broken hearted, giving Candy the perfect opportunity to make her move while Vanessa was vulnerable.
    “Chanel,” Leah called.
    “What?” Chanel responded over the sound of the TVs.
    “Who was that fine young brother that was all over you last night?”
    “Fine young brother on me all last night?” Chanel snapped her fingers, trying to remember. “You gotta be specific, because every brother with two eyes and a brain wanted to be a part of the Chanel Legacy last night.”
    “The one with the Knicks jersey on.”
    Chanel sighed. “Some college ball playing ass dude. He was pissin' in my ear all night, talkin' `bout he about to go pro.”
    “Better grab him before he blow up,” Meisha said.
    “Shit, every damn dude in the 'hood that's not hustling think he gonna be the next Lebron or Jay-Z,” Chanel said.
    “She ain't lying,” said a client, waiting to have her hair done.
    “I told that fool last night that he need more than a hoop dream and a hard dick to be a part of the Chanel Legacy. You gotta be doing A-Rod numbers just to get a whiff of this pussy,” Chanel said.
    Candy turned to Vanessa. “So, you're serious about Rich?”
    “I don't know yet.”
    “So you just wanna see where it goes?”
    “That's all you can really do with any man. Hope for the best and expect the worse,” Vanessa said.
    Candy liked what she was hearing. She interpreted the slightest frustration with men as a signal that Vanessa might be fair game.
    “I don't understand them,” Vanessa said.
    “Exactly why I switched lanes,” Candy said. “Well, part of the reason.”
    “What's the other part?”
    “I never met a man that could make me feel like a woman.”
    “I hear that.” Vanessa smiled, slightly shaking her head.
    “I don't expect you to understand. It's something that requires experience to comprehend.”
    “That rules me out,” Vanessa quickly replied.
    “I used to say the same thing.”
    Vanessa’s eyes widened. “What happened?”
    “It's a long story. I'll tell you one day.” Candy needed to slow down. She was becoming aroused by just breaching the topic of lesbianism with Vanessa. It was hard for her to talk to Vanessa without fantasizing about sexing her. So she reserved her conversation for a future day when they were alone, because words could easily lead to actions. Candy wanted to make sure that if she lost control of herself, no one was around to witness it.
    Vanessa was interested in hearing what drove Candy over the top, and Candy took that as a sign that Vanessa could be reeled into her world. Experience had taught her how quick the transition from straight to gay could be.
    Candy turned to Leah. “I did some research on the business,” she said.
    “That's good.” Leah picked up a curling iron.
    Candy told Leah about a few figures and details she had uncovered about the hair care industry. She said her niche would be starting small with a few organic revitalizing scrubs. “My cream will help you with that dry itchy scalp feeling. You know, when you're hair gets all flakey?”
    Leah's head bobbed. “Yeah, girl, especially when you're wearing braids. In between those times they get redone it can be hell on