Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“Would you like me to do your makeup?” Hailey asked.
“I’ve never…”
Hailey waved her hand in the air. “Don’t worry about it. A woman always has to start somewhere. Let me help you.”
She wasn’t sure about this, but she didn’t put up a fight as Hailey walked her over to a station. There were not many set up.
“Are you not busy?” Harlow asked.
“Sometimes I can be busy. Most of my clients are by appointment only. I was hoping to have people apply for some of the stations, but so far, nothing.”
“You’re looking for people to work here?” Harlow asked.
“Yes.”
“I don’t know what I’m doing with the makeup stuff, but if you want, I can fulfill orders.” It couldn’t be so different from packaging cookies and muffins.
“You want a job?”
“Yeah, if you’re happy to train me.”
Hailey let out a squeal. “I knew today was going to be a good day, and you know what, I was not wrong. Consider yourself hired.”
Harlow was all for optimism, but she also knew the way the world worked. “Don’t you want to take me on for a trial period? Make sure we mesh?”
“I know we’re going to be fine. How can we not be?” Hailey let out a giggle. “Come on, don’t you sometimes just … have a little faith?”
Harlow frowned. “You don’t even know my name.”
“That’s not a problem, though, and easily fixed. I’m Hailey and you’re…?” Hailey held her hand out and Harlow stared at it.
Take a chance. Otherwise, it’s go back home, jobless.
This was her only chance. A fresh start. Away from the club. Away from the pain. The makeup suddenly looked like a blessing.
“Harlow Erickson,” she said.
“Well, Harlow, I’m Hailey Valentine, it’s lovely to meet you.”
Chapter Thirteen
Several Days Later
“You quit?” George asked.
Harlow released a sigh and then stepped back from her door. There was no reason for her to even attempt to kick her brother out, he wouldn’t listen to reason.
“Good morning to you too, brother.”
“Don’t be smart with me.”
“And don’t come bombarding my home, without, I don’t know … saying good morning, or being polite or some shit?” She spun around in the main sitting room. Ever since her mother had been by, she really had placed a homey spin on the place, there was no denying it. Her mother knew how to add that special touch to any place, which should annoy her, but far from it. It actually made her happy.
The landlord had also paid back a great deal of money as well. Harlow had already put most of it in her bank. She also had a new agreement, with a decent rental rate. The state of the landlord’s face already told her a story, and she would consider it Hunter’s parting gift to her.
It was over. She and Hunter were over.
Each night, she promised herself she would not cry, but that was how she fell asleep.
The good books always said the first love was the most painful, and they were not fucking kidding.
“What’s going on, Harlow?”
“Nothing is going on. Why does there have to be something going on?”
“I know you, and I know how much you love baking and now you’ve quit. What are you going to do? Are you going back home?”
“No,” Harlow said.
“Then what are you going to do? Jobs are not easy to come by.”
“I already have a job,” Harlow said. She had told Hailey she could start in a couple of weeks. When she did tell Hailey that, the other woman had looked so sad. So, after work finished at the bakery, Harlow went down and began training with Hailey.
Harlow liked that the woman found every reason to smile. It wasn’t scary either. Her ability to love life was infectious. When she was around Hailey, she didn’t think about Hunter or the pain. She thought about the future.
She had even agreed to go out with Hailey on Friday night. No club. No terms. No conditions. Just her and Hailey, having a drink and getting to know one another. Harlow had never had a friend before.
“You already have a job?” George asked.
“Yeah, and don’t sound so surprised about that.”
“Is this an actual job, or one you’ve made up?”
“Wow, you have zero confidence in me.” She rolled her eyes. “I have an actual, real job.”
“Where?”
Harlow sighed. “Why? So you can ruin it for me?”
“What? No, I’m not going to do anything like that.”
Harlow folded her arms and glared at her brother. “It’s at Hailey’s Beauty Parlor in town.”
“What?” George asked.
“You heard me.”
“I heard you, but I don’t … you’re not a beauty person, Harlow. You’re going to ruin this woman’s business.”
Harlow took a deep breath. “No, I’m not a trained professional beauty expert, but I’m not working on clients. I’m helping her pack orders, and she’s teaching me.” That first night Hailey had offered her a job, she had also given Harlow a makeover. Moisturizing her skin, putting on primers, and then … well, applying makeup, and Harlow had been shocked. She had loved it. It was kind of like a lightbulb moment, and Harlow knew she was doing the right thing.