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Making a thoughtful face, she replies, “I don’t know about the Casper guy. He freaks me out. Too intense, ya know? I think if I was looking for some fun I’d go with Max, he’s easy to get along with. ”

I raise an eyebrow at her and cry, “Max burst in on our one year reunion with a gun! If that’s not intense, I don’t know what is. ”

Her body shakes with silent laughter. She chuckles, “That was so freakin’ awesome. ”

We look at each other and burst out laughing.

Yeah, it was pretty awesome

***

Nat and I arrive in to work with a few minutes to spare. I put her to work immediately by sending her over to Winnie’s to introduce herself to whoever is working that morning and getting our morning fuel.

It’s Saturday so it’ll be a busy one for us.

Thank Heavens for that.

I have a bit of money. But like Nik said “I’d rather spend someone else’s money, that way I make more profit”. Unfortunately for me, I do not have that much money to spend on the store. When Mia was born, my parents talked me into adding her to my life insurance, so I did. When she died I received a substantial amount of money and threw all of it into Safira. And when Mom died, I received a very decent sized inheritance. I put that money into an interest earning account and cannot touch it for another five years. So, yes, I have quite a bit of money. None of which I can touch.

After paying the girl’s wages, I’m not left with a huge amount so when we have a busy day of work, it makes me stupid happy.

I travel twice a year to scout out potential suppliers. This doesn’t mean I don’t like my curre

nt suppliers, it just means I like to broaden our clothing and accessory options.

The girls all get any clothing bought at Safira at wholesale price. So, basically, I don’t get a cent from any clothing sold to them. I do this because I love them and they are so good to me.

Nat walks into the studio holding two caramel lattes and places one on the counter for me then goes about re-folding yesterdays messed up clothes.

Rawr Raaawr

“Yeesh babe, you gotta get someone to fix that damn thing. ” Max is standing behind the counter holding a white parcel.

I sigh loudly and state, “God, I know! It’s just awful. I’m just so busy I keep forgetting. ” I make a point to stare at the parcel; I narrow my eyes and ask suspiciously, “Whatcha got there?”

He smirks, “Well, I guess you can call it a gift. I’ve been told to tell you not to open it until I’m gone, though. ”

What on earth?

I’m stunned. I question, “Ahh, okay?”

Max laughs and assures, “It’s nothin’ bad, toots. Just accept it and say thank you. ”

Still stunned, I take the parcel from him and say, “Thank you, Max. ”

He raises a brow, shrugs, and admits, “Well, technically, it’s from Nik the Dick,” he winks and adds “but I’ll take any thank you you wanna give. ”

I blush and smack his shoulder with the parcel. I accuse, “You dawg! I need to work so you can just shoo. ”

He kneels before me, takes my hand and kisses it dramatically. He replies seriously, “It’s always a pleasure, my lady. ”

I giggle as he leaves, place the parcel on the counter and stare at it.

What could it be?

I’ve never been good at accepting gifts. And the girls usually hound me for weeks before my birthday til I crack and just tell them what I want.

I’m staring so intently that I haven’t heard Nat come up behind me.