The next morning I load my car up and head to Puff N’ Stuff. With tomorrow being the grand re-opening, I need to fill the cases, check the coffee and tea machines, get all the pot buds out, and check the computers. It’s a good thing John, our new store manager, will be here to help unload and set up. I left Zoe at home playing with her new plants. I doubt I will see much of her for the next few weeks.

“Morning, John,” I greet him when I pull up to the shop. He meets me at my trunk and we start the tedious process of bringing in all the boxes.

We place the boxes on the counter and repeat the process three more times. I’ve discovered that I’m a stress baker. At least I won’t have a problem keeping the shop’s baked goods stocked.

“What can I do now, Alice?”

I show John the clear glass jars I bought to display the different types of buds. “If you could take these out and place them on the wall behind the counter, that would be great.”

While John works on that, I startup the computer. Oren set it up where I can check in and see the security cameras at anytime, run our inventory reports, payroll, and the cash register. He showed me how to use it, but I’m still not completely sure of it. An hour later and I want to bang my head through the wall. I can’t get this stupid machine to sync with the register. No register means no sales. I’m getting ready to call Oren and beg for help when I hear the bell over the door.

“Alley Cat!”

I jump up from my desk chair and speed walk to the front of the store. I throw my arms around Oren and squeeze. “I am so happy to see you right now. The computer isn't connecting online with the register, and for some reason the security cameras aren’t working.”

He hands me a box and sits down at my desk. “Open that and let me take a look at your computer. Alley Cat, have you called and had the internet connected yet?”

I facepalm myself. “I forgot that the original shop didn’t have Wi-Fi. I hope I can get it connected today.”

“Give me a second and I’ll have you fixed up,” Oren states and walks away to make a phone call.

Oren finishes the call and walks back over to the desk. “Infinity internet will be here within the hour and we’ll be good to go.”

I sit back down and open the box he handed me. This man is a lifesaver today. “You got me a label maker? How the heck did you know that I needed this? I was trying to figure out how to label my bud jars.”

He gives me a smile. “This ain’t my first rodeo, Alley Cat.”

I stand up and throw my arms around his neck again, intending to give him a quick kiss on the lips, but he has other ideas. Oren wraps his hand around the back of my neck and kisses me senseless. Just as my knees are about to give out on me he pulls back.

Oren gives me a wink. “Let’s go label some jars, shall we.”

I’m standing there with my mouth hanging open and my whole body tingling with desire. Damn, that man can kiss. I wonder if kissing Ridge would feel the same way. My mind starts running through all sorts of twin scenarios.

Oren clears his throat. “Are you coming or did that kiss just fry your brain?” he asks with a devilish smirk on his face.

I shake my head and follow him into the storeroom while giving his back an evil glare. Well, that and I’m totally checking out his ass. Oren helps me start labeling the jars while John wipes off the tables and display case. A few hours later and Puff N’ Stuff is officially ready to open tomorrow. The three of us stand by the front door, looking over the shop. Everything is clean, organized, and perfect. Absolutely perfect.

“Thank you both so very much. I couldn’t have gotten all this done today without your help.”

John taps me on the shoulder, telling me he’ll see me in the morning and leaves Oren and me alone. “Well, Alley Cat, it looks good. Internet is up and the register and security cameras are working just fine. You should be proud of the way it turned out. PNS is going to do well.”

I roll my eyes at him. “Not you too. No PNS. It sounds too much like penis.”

Oren laughs and pulls me into his side. He leans over and kisses me on the top of my head. “What do you say we go grab some dinner? I’m in the mood for Mexican.”

I look up at Oren and then reach up and grab his face, pulling him down to me. I kiss him, just like he did to me earlier. When I let go, I see he has the same reaction I did. “Mexican sounds good. Feed me, Oren.” I wink at him and march out the door.

Today is my grand re-opening. I couldn’t sleep last night. I kept going over every detail, trying to remember if I remembered to fill the bathroom with toilet paper. I’ll be glad when this day is over. I bounce out of bed and take a quick shower. Dressed in a pair of skinny jeans, our official shop t-shirt, and a pair of chucks, I consider myself good to go. When I started planning the remodeling of the shop, Zoe brought up the idea of company shirts. I run my hands down the purple v-neck with our name in gold on the chest. It was a good idea, I just hope John didn’t freak out when he saw his. Something tells me purple may not be his favorite color.

I arrive at the shop an hour before we are set to open. Zoe is meeting me here later, she was up all night working on a new crossbreed. She said she was only leaving her happy nest for this and nothing else.

I walk through the shop, making sure everything is in its place when I hear a loud rumble outside. I look out and see Cynthia, Ridge’s truck, pulling into the lot. His doors open and out hops Ridge, Oren, and Cash. Every one of them in a Puff N’ Stuff purple shirt. I didn’t even know they had those. I know I didn’t get them one. I walk out the door to greet three of the Michaelson brothers.

“Hot Lips.”

“Pretty Girl.”

“Alley Cat.”

Each one of them shout out their pet name for me. When the three of them reach me, they all suddenly stop. I’m confused until they turn around.

“Stop! Tell me you didn’t.” I can’t help but start laughing. On the back of each of their shirts are the nickname they each gave me. Seeing Ridge walking around in a purple shirt with ‘Hot Lips’ across his back is almost too much.

When they turn around, each one has a smile on his face. Cash gets to me first, picking me up and twirling me around. “Congrats, Pretty Girl.” He passes me to Oren, who dips me, then plants a quick kiss on my lips. “I’m proud of you, Alley Cat.” Ridge jerks me out of his brother’s arms and throws me over his shoulder. I’m yelling at him to put me down, but he ignores me and carries me back inside the shop. He gently sets me down, running the back of his hand across my cheek. “You did good, Hot Lips.”

Our moment is interrupted by boisterous laughter. “Well, Zoe is here and I’m guessing she’s seen your shirts.”

“Oh mylanta! Ridge, is your nickname seriously Hot Lips? I can’t even.” Zoe is laughing uncontrollably.

Ridge looks at me and smirks. “Oh Hot Lips, you never told her about our nicknames for you?”

Zoe stops laughing immediately and gives me the look. You know, the ‘you are in so much trouble’ look.

I clap my hands a few times and yell, “Okay, guys, let's get this shop open!”

Later that night, Zoe and I decide to treat ourselves to a late night ice cream run. There’s an old 50’s style dinner downtown that serves the best milkshakes in town. Once we have devoured our shakes, vanilla for Zoe, strawberry for me, we decide to head home for the night. I need a shower badly. When we walk out of the diner’s door, a woman standing on the corner catches my attention.

“Sally, is that you?” I squint, taking in the older version of the girl I used to be close friends with back in junior high, before my dad shipped me off to boarding school.

“Alice Du-Kane?” She rushes over and hugs me. “I can’t believe it’s really you. It’s been what, fifteen years since you left?”

“Something like that. How are you? What have you been up to?”

A dark look crosses her face. “I’m okay. I’ve got three kids, all under the age of ten at home.”

“A ten year old? We’re not old enough for that,” I say, laughing it off.

“I got pregnant the year after you left. Had Garrett my sophomore year. I had to quit school, but it all worked out.”

I grip her hand in mine. “I’m sorry, Sally. So, what are you up to now?”

She squeezes my hand before letting go. “Oh, you know, I do this and that. Whatever odd jobs I can pick up to keep a roof over our heads. Look at you though. You haven’t changed one bit, Alice.”

I’m about to ask her another question about her kids when a terrifying man walks up on us. My hand immediately goes to my bag to pull out my can of mace. I know Zoe is behind me doing the same thing.

He surprises me when he leans in and speaks directly into Sally’s ear. “Sally, what do you think you’re doing? Standing around shooting the shit with some uppity women isn’t going to make me any money.” He grabs her upper arm and I see her flinch when he tightens his hold. “Why don’t you say goodbye to them and get back to work. Unless,” he licks his lips, looking Zoe and I over, “they might be interested in purchasing your services. What do you say ladies? You can keep chatting with old Sally here, but it’s going to cost ya.”

I feel bile rise in the back of my throat. Zoe speaks up before I can, “How much for the whole night?”

I whip my head around, mentally asking her what in the heck she’s thinking. She gives me a look that keeps me from speaking up.

The man lets go of Sally’s arm and uses his now free hand to rub it over his disgusting beard. “For the whole night? That’ll cost ya, honey.”

“I have money, just tell me how much.” I can feel the anger vibrating with each word Zoe says.

“You can have her for a grand. Cash money.”

Zoe elbows me and I look in my bag, opening my wallet without taking it out. I never carry cash on me, but it just happens that I have the store’s daily deposit still with me. I planned on putting it in the safe as soon as we got home, but we decided to go for ice cream. I guess it was fate stepping in.

“Whoa, whoa there,” he says as he throws his hands in the air. “No transactions on the street. You can just pay Sally at the end of the night. She knows the drill.” He begins to step away from us. “Sally, I’ll be seeing you tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

I watch Sally shiver from the tone of his voice. Zoe and I both flank her, grabbing a hand each and walk her to my car. The ride back to our house is quiet, no one knowing exactly what to say. Once we make it inside I lead everyone into the kitchen. This conversation calls for coffee. Or wine. Hell, I need to breakout the batch of pot cookies I hid from Zoe.

I sit Sally down at the island and turn on the coffee maker. Zoe sits beside her and I guess she’s finally had enough of the silence. “So, you’re a hooker?”

“Zoe!” I yell at her. “What the hell?”

She just shrugs her shoulders and turns back to Sally. “That was your pimp I take it? He was certainly a piece of work.”

Sally puts her head in her hands. “Look, you don’t have to pay me, okay. I can deal with Robert. I just need to call someone to come get me. We can just forget this night happened.”

“Alice, give her the money.”

“Zoe, she just said…”

“I heard what she said. Now, give her the money.” Zoe looks to me, nodding her head.

I walk back to the dining room where I dropped my purse. I take out the money bag and remove the thousand dollars. I take the bag into the laundry room and put the rest of the money in the hidden safe. Once I reach the kitchen, I place the money on the counter in front of Sally.

Sally looks up at me, tears running down her face. “I’m so sorry, Alice. I didn’t want you to know what I really was.”

“Girl, Alice don’t care about that. Tell us what happened?”

Sally looks at Zoe. “After I had Garrett, I had to drop out of school to get a job. His dad ran off as soon as he found out I was pregnant.” She stops to take a deep breath. “My mom refused to help me and no one wanted to hire a teenager with a baby. I met Robert one night, and at first he seemed so nice. I was tired, lonely, and stupid. One thing led to another and, well, here we are. I’ve been doing this ever since.”

“Damn.”

I agree with Zoe. “Damn, Sally. You didn’t have anyone to help you?”

She shakes her head back and forth. “I have nobody. I know it’s wrong and dirty, but I’ll do whatever I can to take care of my babies. I refuse to let them be like me.”

An idea suddenly forms in my head. “Sally, how many other ladies work for Robert? Good women we can trust.”

Sally looks at me curiously. “I know quite a few. Not all of them are Robert’s girls. We’re spread out around the city, you know turf wars and what not, but I keep up with them. Us working girls try to stay in contact in case something happens.”

I look at Zoe, she looks at me and smiles. “FLAG?” she asks.

I nod my head. “FLAG.”

I turn my head toward Sally. “So, we have a proposition for you.”