Not between rushes.
Face-to-face.
“He’s been so busy.”
Tess folds her arms, those evaluating eyes locked on me. “You could’ve been cuddled up at his place this whole time. In his bed. Under his sheets. Naked.”
“He’s barely there, and you know that.” But the idea has played in my head more than not. “Sometimes he crashes at the restaurant. I don’t want to just drop this on him.” I shrug. “I’m going to tell him at his grand opening.”
“Alright.” She nods. “I like this vibe.” She wiggles her body like she’s actually feeling the vibe. “I like all the vibes.”
I laugh.
“We packed up our whole lives for this place. You and me. Tess After Dark.” She points at the black tee she’s wearing, the logo printed small over her chest. “And Shay’s Boudoir in the back.” She spins, throwing her thumbs over her shoulder toward my logo printed on the back.
My phone buzzes again.
Can’t wait to see you, too.
My chest loosens.
“And I have to restock the oils.” Tess moves behind the counter and sets an unopened box on top, scanning like she’s lost something.
I join her and pick up the box cutter she set on the second shelf.
She loses everything the second she sets it down.
I hold it out to her. “Looking for this?”
She takes the pink cutters. “Thank you. I’d lose my head if it weren’t attached. It’s been so busy.”
“That’s good.” I lean my hip against the counter. “People like it.”
The door jangles, and a group of giddy women pour in, making knowing eyes at Tess.
They recognize her instantly. Phones are already half-raised for selfies.
One minute, I was road-tripping with a camera. The next minute, we were signing papers and hauling boxes across the country.
Tess’s toys are in the front. My studio is in the back.
It’s perfect.
“People like you.” I nudge her. “Go on. Woo them with your delightfulness.”
She snaps the cutter shut. “I am delightful.”
I chuckle. “You’re a ball of sunshine.”
“I am a ball of sunshine.”
I laugh again.
She turns to me as she backs away. “Your next appointment should be in your studio.”
“My next appointment. I don’t have an appointment until three.”
“Yes, you do.”
