Page 2 of Conquering Oz

Elodie’s home was only about fifteen minutes away on the other side of Lawry. Thankfully, she lived in the tiny apartment above the boutique she owned. It wasn’t glamorous. But it certainly made showing up for work on time an easy task during the past three years.

“Want to come by tomorrow night? Chris’s working a double.”

Elodie widened her eyes. “Again?”

Her friend’s husband was a local police officer with the Lawry PD.

Madalyn shrugged, placing her hand over her belly. “He refuses to pass up the overtime. He wants to be home as muchas he can once the baby is born.” Madalyn sighed. “What do you say? Tomorrow?”

Yes!Unfortunately, Elodie had already committed to a previous engagement.To honor me—yay.

“Can’t.” Elodie sighed. “I’m going to mysurprisebirthday celebration. The girls arranged it.”

The girls. Not hers.Well, not really.They worked for Elodie at the boutique. Other than taking them all out for a few dinners, and listening and offering advice during working hours, they weren’t necessarily friends. Aside from the obvious, being their boss, there was a significant age gap. Saylor, Isla, and Emma were all in their early to mid-twenties. They were worlds away from Elodie, who would be celebrating her fortieth.

Madalyn snorted. “Is it really a surprise if you know about it?”

“Theyall think it’s a surprise, so I’m going along with it.”

Elodie could’ve sailed past forty without any fanfare. She would’ve loved nothing more than to skip herspecial dayand just work, get take-out, binge watch a new crime series, and pass out on the couch after one too many glasses of wine. She muffled her moan and tried to hide her disappointment of actually being forced to celebrate.

Madalyn’s right, I am old.

“What are you doing?” Madalyn asked.

Elodie pressed her lips together, and her shoulders sagged. “Dinner and dancing.”

She waited for her best friend’s response, and Madalyn didn’t disappoint. Her brows shot up to her hairline, and her jaw dropped. “You hate dancing.”

“Yes, I do.”The bane of my existence.

Elodie had an adventurous spirit and would try most things at least once. But dancing was her least favorite activity. Occasionally, she’d given in to a slow dance at a wedding, ifheavily guilted. Being on display in the middle of the dance floor with her less than stellar moves and awkward rhythm was not her idea of fun.

“But I love the girls.” Elodie pushed up from the couch and stretched her arms. “Which is why I’m allowing them to” —She raised her hands and gestured in air quotes— “‘surprise me’with a birthday celebration. They went through a lot to plan it.” Elodie smirked. “And I know this because none of them know how to whisper or sneakily make arrangements out of earshot.”

Saylor, Emma, and Isla had all been with her for about three years. They were hired around the same time and became fast friends. Elodie’d had a few workers in the past come and go, but these three were solid and loyal. They loved the store almost as much as she did. It was just more added pressure with the boutique in financial turmoil. They relied on their income. Sure, they’d find other employment, but Elodie felt a certain responsibility for them. Losing the store wouldn’t affect only her, and the thought of letting the girls down gnawed at her soul.

“Are you going to dance too? After all, they put a lot of effort into this, like you said. You owe them,” Madalyn teased. “Make sure one of them takes a video.”

Elodie knitted her brows and immediately shook head. “I’ll be the one who stays at the table and watches the drinks. Leave the dance floor to the twenty-four-year-olds.”

“At least you’ll have Charley. Something tells me she’s not a dancer either.”

While Elodie loved all her employees, she had a soft spot for Charley. The polar opposite of the other girls and a few years older. If painfully shy and timid was a category in a beauty pageant, Charley would reign as queen.

“Unfortunately, I overheard Saylor mention Charley couldn’t make it.” Elodie grabbed her pocketbook from the corner chair and rounded the back of the couch, leaning down tohug Madalyn. “If not for that overprotective husband of yours, you’d be coming with me.”

Elodie straightened and caught Madalyn rolling her eyes. “Marry an officer, they said. It’ll be fun, they said. I love Chris with all my heart, and he’s sexy as hell, but I swear he’s captain of the fun police.” Madalyn dramatically waved her hands over her head. “Ridding good times at every corner.”

Elodie muffled her laugh. The last thing she’d do was encourage Madalyn’s frustration with her husband. Usually, she was Team Madalyn. She liked Chris, but they were different types of people. He was very serious, and as Madalyn pointed out, extremely overprotective of her. He was especially stern when it came to Madalyn’s pregnancy. With good reason. At forty, Madalyn was considered high risk.

“He wants to make sure you and the baby are safe.” Elodie cocked her brow. “That makes him a really great husband and future dad.”

As much as Chris wasn’t exactly her cup of tea, he was a great guy. What he lacked in silly fun and spontaneity, he made up for with his devotion and love for Madalyn, and his concern, which extended to Elodie. They were a package deal and Chris accepted that wholeheartedly.

“I know.” Madalyn’s whiny tone and slumped shoulders were almost comical. “Did I tell you he’s cutting me off from sex?”

What?While the claim sounded ludicrous, she wasn’t exactly shocked. With Madalyn being high risk, of course there would be qualms. Elodie widened her eyes and flattened her lips, trying to hold back her laugh.

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