Page 36 of Through the Storms

“You,” Britt replied with a grin. “I saw you over here waving your hands around. I thought maybe you were having a seizure.”

Oakley turned to Chloe and sighed. “See what I have to deal with? She drives me crazy.”

“It’s mutual.” Britt pointed to her blue hair. “Know why it’s this color?”

Chloe shook her head, not wanting to hazard a guess.

“It’s probably gray underneath from having to put up with her all these years.”

“Drama queen.” Oakley laughed.

Britt pointed to the nearly empty Mountain Dew bottle in Oakley’s hand. “I bet she talked faster and faster the more she drank. That’s what happens when she’s ramped up on caffeine.”

Chloe grinned because it was true.

Britt pointed and laughed. “Busted. Just look at Chloe’s face.”

“Whatever,” Oakley said. “Do you plan on telling me why you were hunting for me?”

“Oh, yeah. You haveta get the equipment set up.”

Oakley’s shoulders dropped. “Aw, man, you didn’t set it up?”

Britt gave Chloe a quick wink. “Why would I have done that?”

“Because I hate doing it,” Oakley whined. “I’d rather scrub the toilet with my toothbrush.”

“Well, you better get out your toothbrush.”

Oakley’s eyes brightened. “Yes, you set it up!” Without warning, Oakley wrapped Britt in a hug, lifted her off the ground, and spun her around.

“Jesus. You better put my ass down now, or I’m going to tear down the equipment and make you put it back up yourself.”

Oakley kissed Britt on the cheek before she set her to the ground.

“Yuck.” Britt made an exaggerated swipe at her cheek where Oakley had kissed her. “I’m definitely telling Lana you’ve been drinking too much Mountain Dew.”

Oakley laughed. She turned to Chloe and said, “Duty calls. Thanks for letting me bend your ear.”

“Any time.” Chloe smiled as she watched the pair walk away. Their energy was infectious, so Chloe was ready to face the day.

CHAPTER 16

Lana dropped the doughnutbox onto Carol’s desk but remained standing. Carol sat bent over a spreadsheet and chewed on the end of her pencil. Her desk was immaculate. Besides her computer, the only things on her desk was the work in front of her, two file folders, a pen holder, and stapler.

Accountants.They were always so orderly. Lana grinned at her stereotype since Carol was the only accountant she knew. Somewhere in the world, there must be a messy accountant.

“Are you just going to stand there grinning?” Carol asked.

Lana jumped. “Shit. You scared me.”

Carol raised one corner of her mouth. “Uh, you’re standing in the middle of my office, I speak to you, and it scares you?”

“I know how you are with your numbers, so I thought it might be a while.” Lana pointed at the box. “I brought your favorite.”

“Doughnuts? What’s the occasion?” Carol dropped her pencil, leaned back in her chair, and stretched her arms over her head.

“Does there have to be an occasion to bring my bestie doughnuts?”