Calla's Candy Ch 5 & 6

**Cherish Lively** (0:00)
Hello, welcome to My Secret Obsession. I'm Cherish Lively, and I'm so excited to have you join me on a journey through love, laughter, and unforgettable romance. Whether you're here to escape into dreamy, heart-fluttering stories or searching for the next book to swoon over, you're in the perfect spot. Together, we'll celebrate strong women, charming men, and the sparks of passion that make contemporary romance irresistible. So get cozy, turn up the volume, and let's read a book.
Chapter 5 Even though a few weeks had passed, Calla was still angry and hurt by Ash. She was foolish for still thinking about him, but she couldn't let it go. The horrors she'd faced in high school were nothing to the pain he'd inflicted on the dance floor. Everyone knows teen boys are immature monsters and focused on sex. But what he'd done to her in public on that dance floor as an adult was unpardonable. She knew that she needed to let it go for her own sake. She needed to allow herself to move on. She'd watched enough Dr. Phil to know that when people cling desperately to their anger and hurt, that they slowly destroy themselves. Forgiveness wasn't about absolving the guilty. Forgiveness was about freeing yourself from the pain. Christmas had come and gone. She'd skipped the annual trip to visit her mom and stepfather in Florida. They'd been disappointed and she'd missed them, but she didn't miss the nightmare of being in their small house with her brother and his family. She had enough stress in her life that she didn't think she could handle more. She pushed through the swinging door in Calla's Candy and shoved her purse into the tiny office space in the shop's kitchen. The Christmas sales had been great. She not only sold a ton of candy, she even sold a bunch of gift cards, which meant further sales. People always end up spending more than the value of the gift card. The gift cards also encouraged repeat customers. She lifted the lid on the sugar bin. There was enough in there for her to start making the caramels, but she'd need Claire's help to pour the 50-pound bag into the bin. If people knew what she spent on sugar in a year, their heads would explode. Sometimes, when she looked over her finances, her head exploded. Keeping a small business in the black was tenuous. The line between profit and losses alternated on a daily basis. Her bank account resembled a heart monitor.
One day she was up, the next day she crashed. Then she was up again. She needed to figure out how to keep her account steadily increasing. Her cell chimed in her pocket. She pulled out her phone and looked at the message.
Senna, open up, we need to talk. Calla did a little happy dance. She couldn't wait to hear about Senna's honeymoon. Calla, coming.
Calla pushed through the swinging door and waved when she spotted Senna's face through the glass. She crossed the shop, unlocked the door and embraced Senna in a hug. It's so good to see you. I missed you. Senna gave her a tight squeeze and then stepped out of the hug. I missed you too.
Calla scoffed and smiled. I don't buy that for a minute. I can assure you that when I'm on my honeymoon, I will not be thinking about my friends stuck at home. She motioned with her arm. Get in here. Senna giggled as she stepped into the shop. You caught me. I did think about you. But my mind and body spent most of their time in a stupor of love. Stupor of love, Calla repeated with a smile. Is that what they're calling multiple orgasms a day?
Senna's mouth dropped open in a teasing shock. Who told you?
Orgasms are the only thing that can make a woman look as content and happy as you. She paused and made a silly face. And pralines are good too, she added lightly. I assume Josh looks just as happy. How was the cruise? Perfect, Senna replied. I love the Caribbean. We divided our time between eating, laying by the pool, nursing drinks, and going at it like rabbits.
Sounds like the perfect honeymoon. God, she was getting closer to 30 and rarely dated. What were the odds of her having a perfect honeymoon? At what age was it that you were more likely to get struck by lightning than get married?
Anyway, Senna began, enough about me and my sex life. How are you?
Good, Calla said almost convincingly. Senna tilted her head to the side. She hadn't known Calla for long, but she could hear the sadness in her voice. Really? She scrunched up her face in concern. Calla's face brightened. Yes, my Christmas sales were awesome. I had a hard time keeping enough product on the shelves.