Deep Surrendering (Episode Three) by Chelsea M. Cameron Read Free Book Online Page B

was constantly stressed. Usually it was due to her employees having conflicts or stealing clients from one another. Chloe had more drama to deal with than a high school principal.
    I listened as she described the latest debacle involving two of the massage therapists and their battle over tips.
    “I swear, every six months there is this debate about pooling tips and it’s driving me crazy. I can’t deal with this shit. Don’t get me wrong, I love women, but they drive me fucking crazy.” I laughed and finished my sandwich.
    “Well, now I’m pissed off about work. Thanks for that,” she said as I fought her for who would pay the bill. She won this time.
    “Well, I guess I’m a crappy friend, then. Will you still help me tonight?” I asked.
    “Yes. Because I’m a good friend. Your place at five-thirty?”
    I gave her a hug before we parted ways, me back to class and her back to the spa.
    “Thank you, Chlo.”
    “Anytime, Mari. Call if you need anything.”
     

     
    I should have chosen something lighter to sell than candles. They were a bitch to pack up and carry and unload. Fortunately, I didn’t have to carry all the scents around with me, since I had a little box of sample scents.
    Chloe arrived just as I was looking for some more order forms.
    “I’m sorry, I’m not normally this disorganized, but I’ve been a little distracted lately and…”
    My searching for the order forms was interrupted when someone stepped out from behind Chloe, holding a fresh bouquet of lilacs.
    “What are you doing here?” The papers I held in my hand scattered to the floor.
    “Can I tell her?” Chloe said, turning to ask Fin.
    “Sure, go ahead. It was your idea.” What was her idea?
    “You are a lucky woman, Marisol Everly, because tonight your best friend is going to do you a solid and sell your damn candles so that you can hang out with your boyfriend. I know, I know, I’m a saint.”
    I stood there for a few seconds, completely shocked. Then my next instinct was to throw my arms around her neck. In order to accomplish this, I had to jump because Chloe was so much taller.
    “I love you, I love you, I love you,” I said, squeezing my arms around her neck.
    “I know you do. Everyone does. Oh, calm down,” she said as Fin coughed loudly behind her. “If I was going to take her, I would have done it already. She won’t play for my team, which is a damn shame. A damn shame.”
    “Thank you so much, Chlo,” I said in her ear before I let go of her. She wouldn’t look at me and her face was turning the color of her hair. Vibrant red. Chloe might be confident, but she didn’t take sincere compliments well.
    “Go on, get out of here, you crazy kids. I’ve got this. I’m going to sell the shit out of these things. No one will get out of the party without buying something. I’ve got this.” She picked up the plastic bin I used to carry my samples in, along with my bag of order forms and miscellany, and smiled.
    “Really, thank you, Chloe. You’re a good friend. Marisol is lucky to have you.” Her only response was to go red in the face and scurry away (or at least try to) before we could embarrass her further.
    “I can’t believe this. I was all set to sell our new scent of the month and now I get to see you.”
    Fin produced another vase, which was a darker purple than the first, but obviously part of a set.
    “What is the scent of the month? You could still try and sell it to me if you want,” he said, filling the vase with water and setting it next to the other one. He had on a pair of dark jeans, his worn boots, and a plain blue T-shirt that nearly matched his eyes. Stunning. He was stunning. Always.
    “It’s called Summer Cottage, and it’s a mix of what’s supposed to smell like the ocean, laundry detergent, and pine. It’s not that great, actually.” But I hoped Chloe could sell it better than I was right now.
    “So that’s your sales pitch?” He leaned back against the counter and I