Page 38 of Captivating Anika
“Hog!” Bodhi yells in my ear.
It’s the last thing I hear.
Anika
“She’s adorable.”
Esther proudly shows me another picture of her latest grandchild. A little blond cherub with big blue eyes and a gummy smile. She’s cute as a button.
“We think so,” Esther agrees, beaming.
“So this is number what? Five?”
“Six. My youngest boy and his wife had their first right before Christmas.”
“Oh, that’s right, I remember now. Matthew, right?”
She smiles at my reflection. “Yes, our Matthew.”
I set down the curling iron and grab my round brush to run through her short hair, which she likes wavy. Esther is a salon regular, who comes in once a month for a trim and style. The quirky thing is she’s not partial to any one of us and is happy with whomever she can get for the appointment she wants.
Today, I’m the lucky one.
I finish her hair with a light spray of product before leading her to the cash register. Molly is in the back, washing a load of towels, so I ring Esther up. When I return to my station to clean up, Kim walks over.
“Do you have a minute?” she softly asks.
My next appointment isn’t here yet, and both Monique and Landon still have someone in their chair, so they can keep an eye on the door.
“Sure, in my office?”
“Please.”
Kim follows me to the back where I grab us a couple of waters from the fridge before we retreat to my office. I was due for a break anyway. Amazing as last night was, I definitely feel the aftereffects today. My body is aching, and it’s not entirely pleasurable.
“What’s up?” I ask her when we sit down.
“I talked to Mel just now. She managed to get me in for an appointment to see a counselor tomorrow morning.” She winces. “It’s at ten fifteen. I can call and see if they can change it to either Saturday afternoon or Monday morning.”
I know only too well how long it can sometimes be to wait for an appointment with a healthcare professional. Mel obviously used her connections to get her in quickly.
“No. Take the appointment tomorrow, who knows when the next available one is.”
“I only have one client scheduled before lunch, who I can probably move to the afternoon. I can call her now, if you’re sure it’s okay.”
“Positive.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry for all the?—”
“Don’t finish that,” I stop her. “I already told you there’s nothing for you to apologize for.”
She darts me a smile before she leaves my office, her phone already in her hand. I take a couple of minutes to check emails until Monique pokes her head in.
“Your appointment is here.”
“Thanks.”
I get to my feet, take a sip of water, and round my desk.