Shifters Forever The Boxed Set Books 1 - 6 Read Free Page B

words.
    “I don’t think that would be a good idea, Jeff.” Chelsea rubbed her palms on her too-tight jeans, unaware she was transmitting her nervousness. “I thank you, though. I’m flattered.” Not exactly, since she didn’t trust him, and something about him made her very nervous. Plus it was clear that he and Grant did not get along. Was Jeff doing this to get to Grant?
    Jeff’s jaw clenched, and his knuckles gripped the banister on the way toward the reception desk. “I wish you’d reconsider,” he said through clenched jaws.
    “Can I think about it?” She hoped that would appease him, get him to stop, maybe even go away.
    “What’s to think about? A down-and-out, broke hairdresser would turn down a successful man like me? Do you know who I am?”
    Chelsea didn’t want to look at Mae, fearful that Mae was upset by the drama. She’d been so kind to give Chelsea a job here. Chelsea didn’t want to be responsible for a scene in her friend’s place of business. “Please, Jeff, lower your voice. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Of course. Saturday?”
    “Hell, no.” His voice was a nasal, offended hiss. “Hell, no. I don’t want his seconds. Tonight. I’ll pick you up at closing time.”
    “It’ll be late, and I won’t have time to change. Maybe another—”
    “I’ll be here tonight. You look fine.” He spun on his heel, threw a bill on the counter, and with a hasty, “Keep the change,” he stormed out.
    Chelsea stared after him, aghast. Now what? She had put herself in a bad position. She wanted nothing to do with him. And she didn’t trust him. And he wanted to get revenge of some sort on Grant. And she liked Grant. Okay, okay, she REALLY liked Grant.
    Chelsea sighed. Feeling eyes on her, she turned, catching Mae’s squinting, narrowed glance. Chelsea grimaced at the expression on Mae’s face.
    “I’m sorry...” she started to explain, to tell Mae she didn’t want drama. She didn’t want to bring problems to Mae and didn’t want them in her own life. She’d had enough of drama and avoided it at all costs now. She avoided it as much as she avoided the attention of strangers and the law.
    “You shouldn’t have done that.” Mae’s voice was bitter.
    “I didn’t mean to upset him. I know, I should have accepted the first time he asked, I—”
    “You should have done no such thing. That’s not what I meant at all.” Mae put her arm around Chelsea. “You are not obligated to go out with anyone, whether they’re clientele or not.”
    A sob rose in Chelsea’s throat at the woman’s kindness. She hadn’t felt this kind of acceptance since... She couldn’t remember the last time.

Chapter 6
    T he rest of the afternoon passed without incident. It was almost closing time, and already dark outside.
    Mae cleared her throat.
    Chelsea looked up at her, wondering what she was going to say, hoping that Mae hadn’t changed her mind and wasn’t going to tell her she didn’t need any drama with her clientele and that Chelsea would have to leave.
    “I want you to feel free to cancel with Jeff and Grant.”
    “Oh, no!” Chelsea’s reaction was swift, catching her off guard. “I mean... well, I...” Spit it out , she told herself. It’s not easy to say it out loud. She wanted to go out with Grant. She wanted a lot more than that. She thought of his hard body, his wide chest and expansive shoulders. A warmth flooded her body, starting in her chest, rising to her cheeks. How she hated that the blushing came so easily. Maybe this was Mae’s way of saying that she didn’t want Chelsea to go out with either man. For all Chelsea knew, Mae liked Grant in that way . And she didn’t want to interfere with that.
    Anyway, she looked at the other woman. Mae was a stunning, curvy woman with flashing, almost-black eyes and a tan that seemed to last year-round. Chelsea didn’t think her pale rose coloring could compete with Mae’s vivid complexion and features.
    Maybe Grant was