Page 30 of Smoke

“Pure Glow Beauty Bar,” I answered.

It was a customer inquiring about a nail appointment. I shooed Laurel out of the way to check the system and ensure that Gabbi had availability before confirming a time with the customer. After thanking her, I hung up and rose to my full height.

“Is this going to be a problem today?” I asked, motioning to the phone.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized. “My boyfriend just really needed me to check on something for him.”

“Boyfriend or not, you’re on the clock, Laurel. I need you to be focused.”

“I understand. I’m focused, I promise. See, phone is up.”

She tucked the phone into the desk drawer and offered me a smile. I didn’t say anything as I headed back to my office. I liked Laurel, and she was usually a good receptionist. Lately, it seemed like she’d been distracted, and it was always by the damn phone. I hated to micromanage because my employees were grown, but she was making me consider implementing some new rules around here.

I’d been working for about an hour when there was a knock on my door. I looked at the clock because my first appointment wasn’t until ten.

“Come in,” I said softly.

The door opened, and Laurel walked in with a delivery bag.

“What’s this?” I asked as she placed it on my desk.

“I don’t know. I was just told it was for you.”

“Thanks.”

She nodded as she left the office. Moving my keyboard out of the way, I pulled the bag to me and broke the tamper proof seal. As I peered into the bag, a smile broke out on my face. I laughed as I pulled out a jar of pickles and another jar of marshmallow fluff. This was nobody but Devin. Pulling out my phone, I called him. He answered on the second ring.

“Wassup, love?” I could hear the amusement in his voice.

“You think you’re funny, don’t you?”

He laughed. “Whatchu’ mean?”

“Sending me my pregnancy snack. I thought it was nasty?”

“It’s nasty as fuck, but you like that shit.”

“Look at you being nice.”

“Ain’t I always nice to you?”

“You are, but it doesn’t come without you talking shit. I’m guessing that’s your love language.”

“If you ever really meet my family, you would understand.”

I giggled. “How did you know where to send this?”

“You mentioned owning a beauty bar, so I looked it up. It was literally the only place with beauty bar in the title.”

“Well, thank you. Me and Juri will enjoy our little snack.”

“You’re welcome. Listen, I gotta go. I have a client coming in, but I’ll check on you later.”

“Devin, you don’t have to do that?—”

“We’re friends, right?”

“Um…”

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