Page 17 of Shattering Nash

“Thank you.” She veered her gaze across the room, swallowing the lump in her throat. This was all a little too much. She was desperate for a change in subject. “How much longer until we open again?”

Elodie released a heavy sigh, leaning back in her chair and resting her hand on her belly. “Probably another two weeks. But the good news is construction wrapped up, and it’s being painted in a few days. Given the fumes and lifting, I won’t be much help…”

“I’ve got it, Elle, you don’t have to worry about any of it.”

Elodie smiled. “I appreciate you, Charley.”

“Well, I should go unless there’s anything else you need?”

“Just one more thing.” Elodie held up her finger, pointing at Charley. “You, my friend, have a birthday present you have yet to cash in on. Now that home life has calmed down, I think it’s the perfect time to do something foryou.” Elodie smirked. “And I’m sure Dahlia would appreciate it because from what she’s told me, Keely talks about it daily. You pick a date you want to come to the club?”

Charley straightened her back, clasping her hands and twisting her fingers. She didn’t want to come across ungrateful. It was a generous gift. But this gift had become the bane of her existence. How could she get out of it? It wouldn’t be easy, but Charley was going to give it her best effort. Over the last few days, she’d come up with an alternative plan for her gift. It would make everyone happy, including herself.

“Um, not yet, but I was hoping I could talk to you about it.”

Elodie eyed her suspiciously. “Sure.”

Charley had to tactfully, and appreciatively, approach Elodie.

“It’s such a generous gift, and I really appreciate you giving it to me. But, um, I was wondering if I could give the passes to Keely, and maybe she can take a friend of hers?”

It was the best-case scenario in Charley’s eyes. But maybe not Elodie’s.

Elodie squinted. “You want to give your birthday present to someone else?”

Well, when you say it that way. Shit!

Posed like that, it made Charley seem unappreciative. It was the furthest thing from the truth. Charley may not have fully grasped the value of the gift initially, but Keely schooled her. It was a present most would welcome with open arms.But I’m not like most people.

Charley nibbled on her bottom lip, shifting in her chair. A plausible excuse would go a long way.

“Well, I don’t really dance, so…”

Elodie smiled. “Neither do I, and I had a great time when I came.”

It was a fair counter.Dammit!

Charley shrugged. “I don’t drink either.”

“They have a fabulous selection of mocktails.”

Shoot!

Charley mustered up a smile and grabbed her shirt, fisting the cotton tightly. “I don’t have anything appropriate to wear to a club like this.”

Elodie arched her brow, and the corner of her mouth hiked. “You have a complete showroom to choose from. You can wear anything. In fact, I’m adding an outfit to your gift. Pick whatever you want, get it from the storage unit, and it’s yours to keep.”

I’m doomed.But, she still had one excuse in her pocket.

Charley flattened her lips, nodding. “But um, Keely says the best nights to go would be a Friday, and I always work those nights.”

“How about this Friday? The store is still closed, so it’ll work out perfect.”

God dammit! I walked right into that one.

“It’s such short notice, I don’t know if Keely would be available, and…”

Elodie arched her brow, and Charley knew defeat was on the horizon. “I think we both know that Keely willmake herselfavailable. If she has a hard time getting the night off, I’ll talk to Dahlia.”

---