Making Perfect Scents

By Charlene Groome

Jessica Livingston is ready to put the past behind her and start living her dream.

She’s moved to Whistler to open her very own bath and body store, Making Scents. She wants to forget about her ex and her best friend’s betrayal and focus on her happiness. She’s far enough away from the people she left behind to forget about her past, but when her old friend—the guy she’s always loved— surprises her for her grand opening, she thinks he’s there to patch things up between her and his sister.  

Regan Davis has loved Jessica since they were kids, but never pursued her, afraid it would jeopardize their friendship. He trusts her opinions and advice, so when his relationship with his girlfriend is moving quicker than his heart is telling him, he wants Jessica’s advice about his future.

It will take courage and hope to find out what they are truly missing during the holiday season and learn that love is the greatest gift of all. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charlene Groome
• Release date: Dec 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386187875

Charlene Groome

Charlene Groome is the contemporary romance author of the Warriors’ Hockey series. She writes about sexy heroes who play overtime with the women they love. With a background in journalism and radio broadcasting, Charlene is penning stories about friendship, love, and family. A fitness enthusiast, she loves romcoms, and all things girly, and has a soft spot for home decor. She lives on the West Coast of British Columbia with her husband and three children. When she’s not writing, she enjoys hanging out at the lake with her family.

Book preview

Chapter One

Everything had its place.

The shelves were stocked according to fragrance, the cashier counter displayed a woven basket of soap samples and the room still smelled of fresh paint. It was a dream realized and a glow of satisfaction filled Jessica Livingston’s heart.

Her new business brought tears to her eyes; finally, she had her dream, a real store, with Making Scents scrolled above the front window and customers who actually came in to buy her soap. She blinked and took a deep breath. Jessica no longer had to make soap from her kitchen table. All those years of saving, and struggling to be independent, breaking away from her parents to show them that she could do this on her own was the best decision she had made.

At twenty-nine, it was a new beginning for Jessica. She would prove to her family and friends that she had the will to survive on her own and manage her store with little help from anyone.

Casually dressed in a pair of worn-in jeans and fitted, V-neck sweater, Jessica let her auburn curls come undone from a clip, and stood in the middle of the room eating canned soup and a handful of Saltines for dinner. She would have to get used to the idea of cheap meals since she was on a budget, but was determined to make this new lifestyle work, even if it came with sacrifices.

As she ate her soup, resting the bowl in one hand, she watched the snow fall like glitter, covering the cobblestone walkway. She wondered what her future in Whistler would transform into now that she was single and toughing it out in a new town. The street lamp cast a shadow and then a movement across the window piqued her attention; she honed in on it. She could have sworn the man resembled Regan with his medium build and knitted toque. It couldn’t be, though. He wouldn’t want to see her, not after the blowup she’d had with his sister. It must be her imagination. She squinted a little harder. Her stomach uneasy at the possible what-ifs. There were people walking in the village and it was still active with foot traffic. It could be anyone. She turned away, but as she looked back she noticed the man peering inside. She tilted her head, trying to get a good look at him as she mirrored his position. She tried to make out his features, but all she could see was a quick wave.

The figure walked away and she found herself drawn to the window to get a better look. It was probably her mind playing tricks on her. Regan wouldn’t come all this way to see her and to check out her body and bath store.

When the front door opened, Jessica put her bowl on the counter and rushed over to see who it was. She gasped when she saw his playful grin. That face she had dreamed of many times.

This is a surprise, she said. Jessica was fixated on his steel-grey eyes. What are you doing here?

Regan Davis came toward her and wrapped his arms around her, giving a lasting squeeze. 

Jess! It’s so good to see you.

And you. Her face was hot with excitement.

He held her at arms-length and then dropped his hands.

It’s been a while. His nose was pink and his cheeks were red as pomegranates, flushed from the cold.

Regan smiled. Her stomach flipped. 

You’re here. She bit her bottom lip and froze. Did Ashley send you? It was hard not to be bitter about the break-up with her long-time, best-friend, but she knew how Ashley felt about her now that they were no longer on speaking terms. Jessica felt different about her too, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever feel the same about her once most trusted friend.

Regan stood tall, his caramel coloured hair poking out at the sides of his toque, misted by the light snowfall. He took off his hat and ran his fingers through it to shake off the loose water droplets. I’ve come to visit you. He scrunched up his hat.

Jessica arched an eyebrow. I don’t believe it.

He had always been a tease and it wouldn’t be the first time she’d fallen for a playful lie.

Well, yeah, he said. Tomorrow’s your big day, is it not?

Yes, it is. She inhaled deeply. It feels like I’ve been waiting for this day for months. I don’t know what to expect. She tossed her heavy hair behind her, getting her fingers caught in the curls.

Why did he take her breath away? Did she miss him that much? Perhaps it was the effect of being isolated from friends and family that caused her body jitters.

You’ll do great. I don’t doubt your success.

I feel nervous thinking about it. Or was she nervous that Regan had shown up unexpectedly to see her?

Is that why you haven’t stopped fidgeting with your hands?

Oh, ah. She stopped automatically and placed her hands on her hips as an anchor. Why don’t you give me a tour? When he smiled, he exposed a dimple on his right cheek. She was looking at an old crush with many memories.

Let’s see...I keep all the bars of soap on these shelves. She pointed. And on this side, I keep all the lotions and body wash. I haven’t figured out what I want to do with this empty space. She gestured with her hands out in front of her and looked up to meet Regan’s gaze. She swallowed to moisten her throat. Why did he make her heartbeat a little faster every time her eyes met his? Jessica looked away to distract herself, knowing there would never be anything more between them than friendship. I’m thinking of using this space for gift baskets.

And you’ve been here for what? Two weeks? Regan looked around the room.

Just about. Took time to set up. You think it looks okay?

Yeah, for sure.

Jessica walked to the other side of the room. I have men’s fragrances on this shelf. She pointed. Bath gels and soaps in this corner. She looked over her shoulder to see Regan had followed her over. My back room is nothing but a bathroom and office. She pulled in a winded breath.

You’ve got the basics, even a microwave and kettle. He leaned a hand on the door frame and peaked in.

Yeah, it’s all I need. You’re all I need. Like the time he came to her rescue when her car broke down one night after a concert. She didn’t think to call her boyfriend, Josh, even though he was a car-guy. He would’ve been cursing that he had to get up for work the next day. Regan was always there for her and made time whenever she needed a hand. If she was dateless to a party, he was the one she’d call. If she needed a ride to work in the winter, he offered to drive because she hated taking her car out in the snow. Thank yous never amounted to anything more. When did Regan start to care about her well-being?

And just think, you used to make soap in your downtown apartment.

And now this. She turned around to look at her stocked shelves.

As a hobby, she had mixed, heated and moulded her soaps to perfection. Finally, she came up with her own concoctions and decided to market them to see what people thought. It didn’t take long before she had a small customer-base selling online and in person. When she found available store space in Whistler, her parent’s provided her with a down payment for her lease. She knew it was the best place for her to move to. The town was far enough away from the drama in her life, yet close enough to family if she needed them.

I’m impressed. You have a lot of stuff. Regan walked out into the middle of the store. I can’t imagine the work you’ve put into this place for it to look as good as it does.

Jessica beamed.

You’re a professional.

Thanks. Her heart fluttered. I think it’s coming together. I feel good about it.

You’ve done a great job, Jess. Your own store. Amazing, isn’t it? I’m proud of you. It’s quite an accomplishment. He shoved his hat into his coat pocket.

Thanks.

Ashley wanted to be here. I know you both aren’t on speaking terms...she wanted me to tell you good luck on your grand-opening.

Jessica pressed her lips firmly together.

Ashley’s sorry for what happened and wished things were different. He put his hands in his coat pockets. It’ll take time. It always does.

Time for what? She tried to soften her voice, but the thought of Regan coming here to talk about his sister irritated her. She wanted to forget about Ashley and what she’d done to her. Regan couldn’t mend the trust. Nobody could. She had to find a way to leave the past behind and focus on her career.

She wants to visit you.

Did Ashley send you as her messenger?

Well, no, not exactly. His eyes hadn’t left hers. What good would it do if she poured her heart out to him?

I’m here because I want to be, he said. I had to see how you’re doing.

There was a swirl of emotion in her stomach.

I appreciate that, but I don’t care how Ashley feels. Jessica gnawed on her lip, wishing she hadn’t sounded so bitter.

He hung his head and pursed his lips, nodding. You’ve been friends a long time.

I have nothing to say to her.

She misses you. You’ve been friends for too long for it to end like it did.

She met his gaze. If only Ashley’s betrayal was easy to forget.

Jess. His tone was serious but gentle, and it alarmed her. Did he have a different reason for being two and a half hours away from home, when he could have just called? She smiled back at him, waiting for him to tell her he planned to spend the weekend helping her out, but that was wishful thinking. Although, she could really use the company and the extra help since she was running her store on her own.

Don’t leave it too long.

Coming to her senses, she asked, "Would