Page 30 of The Scent of Happiness

Brooke put the jug of olive oil on the counter with a thud. “Or forcing me out of business.”

Emma flourished hands at the computer. “We’re not going to let that happen.”

Brooke opened a bottle of eucalyptus fragrance, letting its sharpness drift through the room. “I just hope that Theo will be able to stop her.”

Chapter Ten

Theo was so busy on Monday that he didn’t have time to talk to Stephen until the late afternoon. Over the weekend, Theo had sent two emails about Brooke, explaining the flat fee arrangement and that he might have to do some pro-bono work. Stephen hadn’t answered.

At four-thirty, he spotted Stephen smoking his last cigarette of the day, so he headed to the parking lot. “Hey,” he said. “How are you?”

“Worn out,” Stephen said. “I owe you one.”

“What?” Theo looked behind him to see if maybe Stephen was talking to someone else, but they were alone. “What do you mean?”

“That soap, man. Thank you.”

“So it wasn’t toxic.”

“Just the opposite.” Stephen raised his eyebrows and took a drag of cigarette. “Maya loved it. Didn’t let the girls even see it. Saturday night, all three of them were at slumber parties, so Maya took a bath. Next thing I know, we’re having an adult slumber party of our own, if you know what I mean.”

“Okay.” Weird choice of words, but okay. Theo waved cigarette smoke away from his face.

“You don’t understand.” Stephen raised himself up on his toes, and then back down. “We did things we don’t usually do. Repeatedly. In every room. I bit my own shoulder.”

“You what?”

“I bit my—never mind.” Stephen dropped his cigarette butt and ground it under his heel. “It continued into Sunday and I’m saying thank you.”

“I’m happy for you, my man.” Theo raised his fist for a bump. “But I don’t think it was the soap. Maybe Maya was in a good mood.”

“She was in some kind of mood,” Stephen said with a stupid grin. “I haven’t seen her like that in a long time. I bet you’re wishing you’d kept the soap for yourself.”

“No worries,” Theo said. “I know the maker.”

“Lucky man.”

“It’s not like that.” At all. At least, I don’t think it’s like that. “I took her case.”

“The one she wouldn’t settle?” Stephen’s relaxed stance became rigid. “Dear God, why?”

“Do you know who’s working the other side?” Theo asked. “Shakley, Leach, Fishers, and Wolfe.”

“I hate those guys. Bottom feeders.” Stephen pinned Theo with a glare. “Why wrestle in that mud pit?”

Theo fumbled for words. He thought mentioning Dixie’s counsel would be enough, but Stephen wasn’t having it. “There were circumstances. You know our parents are friends, right? Her mom called my mom and next thing I knew…” That wasn’t all of it. Not even half, but that might be enough.

Stephen was frowning, a warning line forming between his brows. “You could say no. You can always say no.”

“Next time.”

“Next time? Don’t let there be a next time. Referrals are one thing, letting your mother direct your caseload is another.”

“She’s not. Don’t worry about it. I’ve got all the work I can handle.”

Stephen looked down at his empty hands, then spread them wide. “I’m trying to help you here. But if you insist on grabbing the shitty end of the stick, what am I supposed to do?”

“It’s not shitty. How is it shitty?”