Page 32

Chapter Thirty-Two

STEVIE

O ne appointment.

That’s it. After Bode came in yesterday, I have one appointment on the books with a new client. I wonder if they told them who they were scheduling them with.

Even after the Knights issued a statement asking for Bode’s privacy, the messages didn’t stop. They only increased.

I thought deleting the apps would help, but they somehow got my email. These people are relentless.

Casting stones when they know nothing about me? I hate it.

“Stevie. Can I talk to you after your appointment?” Maryann asks me.

“Sure.”

Crap. This can’t be good. Having a conversation with your boss when things haven’t been going well?

It doesn’t make for the most calm environment.

My client is an older woman, which probably explains why when I introduce myself to her, she shows no sign of recognition.

Thank God.

The ritual of my job is the only reason I can get through the next hour. I’ve done this hundreds of times, so I could do it in my sleep.

If this woman is my only client today, I want to make sure I do my best job.

“How was everything today?” I ask her as she comes out of the room.

“Delightful. I feel ten years younger. Thank you, Miss Stephanie. I’ll be sure to ask for you when I come back.”

“Thank you.”

I show her to the quiet room and write up my notes for her. By the time I’m done, my feet feel like they’re walking through cement as I walk to Maryann’s office.

I knock on the door and wait for her to call me in.

“You wanted to see me?” I take a seat in front of her desk.

She’s the only one of us with an office. Seeing as how she’s the manager and spends more of her time away from guests, it makes sense.

“I’m sorry we’re having this discussion today, Stevie, as you’ve always been one of my best aestheticians.”

Oh God. My stomach drops and my heart catches in my throat. This isn’t good.

“Without your clients, there’s been a drop in sales and I’m afraid we’re going to have to let you go.”

“You’re firing me?”

She at least has the decency to look chagrined. “I’m sorry. But we can’t keep losing business because of bad press.”

“But I haven’t done anything wrong.”

She leans across her desk. Papers are strewn over it. “Maybe when things settle down, we can talk about you coming back, but for right now, I think this is the best course of action.”

Tears well in my eyes. Sure, I’ve changed jobs over the years because things weren’t right, but I’ve never been fired.

I work hard. I never call in sick and am never late. I don’t cause drama.

Because of something out of my control, I’m getting fired for the first time in my twenty-five years.

It feels terrible.

“We’ll pay you out two weeks, but today is your last day.”

“Right.” I stand, my vision blurring in front of me. “I appreciate you giving me this opportunity.”

What else can I say? I keep my composure as best I can as I dash to the bathrooms.

Except I’m not the only one in there. Cressy is wiping her hands on a paper towel.

“What’s wrong?” she asks, seeing my face.

“I got fired.” I burst into tears as Cressy pulls me in for a hug.

“Oh, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not like I asked for this to happen. I didn’t want people to figure out I’m the one with Bode. And why do people care so much that I’m with him? I didn’t think people would be this upset.”

“They’re jealous because they want to be with him and can’t be. But it’s okay, Stevie. We’ll figure this out. I’ll help you find another job.”

“Who’s going to hire me?” I try to stop the tears, but they keep coming. “They’ll take one look at me and know who I am.”

“Hey.” Cressy gives me a squeeze before looking me in the eye. “We’ll figure this out. Not everyone has to follow the Knights.”

“In Nashville?” My laugh is watery. “Fat chance of that happening.”

“What’s Bode said about it?”

I shake my head, wiping my tears away with the sleeve of my work smock. Guess I won’t be needing to wear this anymore. “To not let it get to me. That it’ll pass in a few weeks and everything will be okay.”

“In a few weeks? He can’t expect you to be in limbo like that.”

“What else can he do? Women keep saying he’s the father of their baby. I’m a home-wrecker and a slut and every other crass word out there. He can’t wrap me in a bubble.”

Cressy looks horrified. “I thought you deleted everything.”

“I didn’t want you to worry, but they’re emailing me now.”

“Stephanie Campbell, you are my best friend. Whether you like it or not, I’m going to worry about you. You have to tell me these things.”

“You know I hate being a burden.”

The look she gives me could melt glass. It has me moving around her and splashing cold water on my face.

“Stevie, babe. You are not a burden. You are never a burden. I don’t care how many past boyfriends have told you that having feelings or being vulnerable isn’t something they wanted to bear, but it is not true. You have the biggest heart of anyone I know when you let people in. Let people help you and share your worries. I love you, Stevie, and I know Bode does too. Let us be there for you like you’re always there for us.”

I hold out a hand and she takes it. Hugging her to my side, I rest my head on her shoulder. “Sorry.”

“No need to apologize. I’m not going anywhere. I might have to shake you a few times to get you to talk to me about things you keep to yourself, but that’s my problem.”

I snort a laugh. “Thank you for always being here for me.”

“We’ll get through this. If I have to raise hell to make sure you get your job back, I will.”

“Maybe I can stay at your place for a little while?”

Cressy eyes me with a dubious look. “You have been turning me down left and right, and now you want to stay with me?”

“Only until things die down. Maybe if I’m not around, things will go back to normal. Besides, if they found my email, I don’t want them tracking down where I live.”

“Oh, Stevie. I am so sorry this is happening.”

“Me too.”

I thought I was at my lowest before.

It had nothing on this. No job and no home?

Guess there are a few more layers I had yet to uncover from rock bottom.