Page 69 of Captivating Anika

But maybe I was wrong. Maybe I should be open about my condition, start delegating some responsibilities. At least make sure someone is able to run the salon if, for whatever reason, I’m temporarily incapacitated.

Perhaps it’s time to make myself less indispensable.

“No, I’m not,” I confess.

“Trouble in paradise already?”

It takes me a second to realize she’s talking about me and Hog.

“God, no. Nothing like that,” I quickly correct her. “It’s a health issue that is kicking my butt right now.”

I see the question on her face and give her a condensed briefing.

“All this stuff with Kim disappearing and her husband going ballistic, trying to keep up with her clients, it’s added strain, and my body is not doing well with it.”

“What can I do?” Monique asks immediately.

“I hate even saying this, because it’s like I’m acknowledging Kim isn’t coming back, but, for starters, we need another hairdresser if we want to maintain our client base.”

“I think it was last week Landon mentioned a friend who was looking. I’ll check with him. What else?”

I could cry but I’ve been doing too much of that recently already, so I suck it up.

“Getting an extra body in here has priority because I’m seriously running out of steam.”

“Leave it to me.”

I get to my feet and approach her to give her a hug.

“Thank you. I don’t know if I tell you often enough, but I appreciate you.”

A knock has us both turn to the doorway where Hog is hovering.

“Is it safe to come in?”

“Of course,” Monique answers. “Take this woman home, I’ll close up.”

She squeezes past Hog, whose eyes stay fixed on me. The moment Monique is gone, he closes the distance between us and lifts my face for a kiss.

“Ready to get home?”

“You have no idea,” I tell him, grabbing my purse and the half-full bottle of water. Then I take his hand and follow him out the door.

This feels fantastic.

I drop my head back and let the tension slide from my body, feeling my limbs go heavy.

“Good?” I hear Hog ask.

“So good,” I mumble in response.

“Can I top you up?”

I crack one eye to find him standing in the doorway, my teapot in his hand.

“Please.”

I lift my hand from the water to hand over my mug.