Sugarlips (Beefcakes Book 2)

where Neil had stormed out not all that long ago. “He’ll never go for it,” I said. “He was barely on board for Beefcakes as it was.”
Chloe shrugged. “Then he doesn’t have to be a part of it. We can do this ourselves. Co-owners. Partners. Your dream for once.”
It did make it awfully convenient that he was leaving the country soon. The perfect time to start a new venture while not under the standard Neil Evans scrutiny. “Okay,” I said, holding out my hand for her to take. “I’m in. At least to consider it.”
She took my hand firmly and pumped it once. “You’re not going to regret this.”
As a matter of fact, I already was regretting it.

7 Chloe
“Okay, it’s official,” I said, wandering around the furniture store. “Shopping on a budget sucks.”
Elaina snorted and linked her arm into mine. “Well, maybe next time you’ll think twice before going all Edward Scissorhands on your reclining chair.”
“Dan’s recliner. Not mine. And I hated that chair. It deserved a slow death.”
“You could have sold it. Profited off of it and then used the money to buy something you do like—”
“Okay. God, do you have to be right all the time?”
Elaina snickered in my ear. “Well, I’m proud of you for sticking to a budget. The Chloe I know would have just put a whole new living room furniture set on a credit card and called it a day.”
I sighed. That Chloe was still here and desperately wanted to buy that luxurious white leather sectional in the corner of the store. I did have savings. A decent amount of savings in my account, actually, that I barely touched while Dan and I were engaged. We had a shared credit card and a joint account. Joint being a pretty loose term, since I didn’t contribute anything to it. But I refused to feel bad about that. I quit my job because he suggested it. Not me. And even after what an ass he turned out to be, I wasn’t going after anything within that “joint” account, even though Tanya told me I should.
“Do I even need a new recliner chair? I have my super cute sofa, and the matching loveseat is at Mom and Dad’s… maybe I could ask for that back?”
Elaina smiled. “I think that’s a great idea. And it saves you money.”
“Yeah? Mom and Dad aren’t using the loveseat, are they?”
She shook her head. “Actually, when I was living with them after Brad, it was down in the bonus room, never being used.”
I exhaled a relieved breath. Reclining chairs were like one of those stupid things that I’d only ever seen men want or have. They’re ugly and … okay, comfortable, yes, but so is a couch!
“How’d the job interviews go?” Elaina asked, breaking me away from my thoughts and brushing her hand across the arm of a microsuede loveseat.
I shrugged. “The interview at the tech start up went well, I guess. I haven’t heard anything yet, but…” I trailed off.
“But?” Elaina pushed.
“I don’t really see myself there. I don’t know or understand technology. Nor do I really care to.” I paused. “I was actually thinking about what you said the other night.”
Elaina tilted her head, studying me carefully. “What did I say?”
I cleared my throat and picked up a crystal pear that was on display atop the dining table. “That maybe I should start my own marketing firm here. Freelancing would be fun. And exciting.”
Elaina grinned. “I think it’s an amazing idea.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, yeah. It was your idea.”
“I know. I’m so smart.” She winked at me.
“I mean, we both know that with my ADHD, working for one company is probably a doomed idea, you know?”
“That’s true,” Elaina nodded. “With a consulting firm, you could bounce around and not grow fatigued.”
“At least not as quickly.”
Elaina picked up one of the other pears from the table and turned it over in her hands. Her face went white as a sheet, and her jaw dropped. “Oh my God! Who would spend seventy-five dollars on glass pears?” she hissed.
I plucked it from her hands and set the pears carefully back onto the table. “They’re seventy-five each. And mom owns the set of apples.”
Elaina sighed. “Of course she does.”
I knew that sigh well, and I smiled despite the exasperation in her tone. I’d heard that damn sigh from Lainey directed at me my whole life.
“I’m really proud of you,” Elaina said. “And I mean that in the most non-condescending way possible.”
I smiled, warmth swirling down my chest. “I know that. But, um… keep that warm, fuzzy feeling for a second. Because, I actually already booked a client.”
Elaina’s eyes went wide. The sun streaming in through the window caught their ice blue color and made them look like crystals sparkling beneath the water’s surface. “You did? Oh my God, Chloe, that’s amazing!” She launched herself around the table and hugged me hard, then quickly pulled back, regarding me carefully. “Wait, why would you tell me to keep that warm fuzzy feeling? Why wouldn’t I be happy about that news?”
I sighed. “Because… my first client is Beefcakes.”
Her smile flickered like a dying flame. “Oh.” She caught herself quickly and plastered a smile back on her face, but it was dry, brittle—and my heart broke for my big sister.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t have to take it.”
She shook her head. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s a good opportunity for you. And didn’t you say you and Liam were sort of friends now?”
I nodded. “Yeah. And… I wouldn’t even be working with Neil because he’s… you know. He’s leaving soon.” Oh God. Her face crumbled like a paper bag in a trash compactor. I winced because I caused that. “Shit, I’m so sorry Elaina—”
She shook her head. “It’s okay. Really. I’m happy for you.”
The door to the furniture store slammed open, and true to her nature, Tanja came floating in, her silky kimono fluttering behind her like butterfly wings. “Sorry I’m