Page 53 of Wanted

It’s something I’ve never done before, but life is full of challenges, and right now, I feel confident enough to try.

Before I even start, I put on my apron and protective glasses—safety first. The first thing is to mix the caustic soda with water and stir it well. For this, I help myself with an immersion blender I bought. The process releases a lot of heat, hence the lenses, to protect the eyes, don’t try this at home without adult supervision, kids. I repeat the process three times, for each of my fragrances in separate containers, and as soon as it’s cooling, it’s time to add the honey.

The base is ready, ladies and gentlemen.

Very carefully, in another container, I mix the essential oils to add them to the base, again helped with the mixer, until it’s a soft gel.

“Whatever you are preparing smells so good, it must be some kind of dessert,” says Lionel, scaring me shitless. His hands are on my hips, I couldn’t hear him before because of the mixer’s noise, let’s not forget about his ninja skills. “I want the biggest slice.”

“It’s not dessert,” I correct him. “It’s the first batch for Catherine’s order.”

Lionel kisses me on the shoulder. Even though his lips have touched me over my clothes, my body still shudders. That is the effect this man has on me.

“Get out of here,” I rebuke him. I don’t think I’ll make much progress with him distracting me. “I’m working.”

He knows what he’s done, of course, a smirk is drawn on his lips as he moves around the bar where we eat every day and sits on one of the stools. He looks so delicious I could stop what I’m doing and eat him up with a spoon.

“In fact, I think there’s something we need to discuss.” Hearing those words, all the blood sinks to my feet.

I’m already bracing for the same argument. Lionel has always given my business very little support, seeing it as insignificant, something that would end with more losses than profit.

Lionel opens his mouth and stops for a moment while I hold the blender tightly to help me defend against the attack to come.

“Catherine’s company party is quite important. CJJ PR represents a lot of celebrities and athletes.” I know that, and it’s the reason why I’m so stressed about doing all this, it has to be perfect. “I think you should have your website ready by then. I’m sure that when those celebrities and influencers try out your soaps, they’re going to be looking all over the place for you.”

I’m also aware of that, therefore, I already found out how to open my store in a well-known portal that sells handmade products and supplies. The process is quite simple, I just need a few photos to upload. And I plan to do it as soon as the soaps are ready, with the help of the super camera on the phone I’m still using on loan. Although Lionel says it’s all mine.

“I know,” I reply, trying to seem uninterested. The truth is, I’m trembling inside.

“I hired this smart IT guy, the boy is creative and has good resources, the latest technology. Why don’t we ask Hadley to set up a meeting, let Braxton put together something nice for you, so you can focus on doing what you love without having to bother with the more technical details? We could even hire a photographer to take over, I know from experience that image sells, you have to show what the potential buyer expects to see.”

My jaw almost hits the floor. Did he just say that he was going to help me?

“Did you just say you’ll make your company’s resources available to me?”

This change of mind is amazing, almost unbelievable.

“There’s also the tax issue, my accounting department can help you handle that…” His words transform into a haze that only allows me to see him.

The center of my world.

I remember Catherine’s words and I’m truly allowing him to redeem himself, however, Lionel never ceases to amaze me. It’s one thing to let me do what I want and quite another to actively help me.

“And since the honey you produce is so special,” he continues as my jaw keeps hanging open. “I think it would also be an amazing opportunity to list pure honey for sale. What do you think?”

I still can’t process what he just told me.

“Are you speechless?” He looks at me and smiles, I can hardly blink. Something in my brain has short-circuited. “Do you want me to call Braxt?”

“Mmm…” Of course the first thing that comes out of my mouth is something so smart. “You want to do that for me?”

My voice is barely audible. He’s taken my breath away.

“I’d do anything for you,” he says quickly, without hesitation. Honesty shining in those deep brown eyes.

Whilst I can hardly admit it, this Lionel in front of me has been a great surprise, even though what happened was horrible—it certainly was. But now I understand what my mother told me so many times, everything happens for a reason and maybe we needed a good shake to save our relationship.

I wish I had the wisdom to understand all this mess, meanwhile, I settle for knowing not everything is lost. That there’s still something here to save.

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