Clean Slate by Holley Trent Page B

requests for information form data. The trade show
attendees filled out. The form was Jerry’s idea. He coded the link into our QC
code on the product literature and that took the interested parties directly to
our website to find out more. Of course, we don’t have any information about the products because we’re making this
shit up as we go along.”
    Daisy handed the tablet back. “So?”
    Nikki tapped the screen with a fingertip and leaned back
in her chair. “So, all of these people—store owners, corporate buyers,
beauty columnists—they all went home, tried the soaps, and want to know
how to get them. We’re going to tweak them and get all three samples developed
into full-sized products.”
    Daisy’s jaw dropped. “All three?”
    “Yep. Go big or go home. We’re not going to hold anything
back. Either we put them out first, or someone else will try to reverse-engineer
them and get them out before we do.”
    “People do that?”
    Nikki rolled her eyes. “Oh, honey. That’s just business.”
She stood. “I know very little about soap, so I’m letting you fly free on this
one.”
    Oh boy. Daisy
closed her eyes and rubbed them with her palms. “Um…”
    “Let me guess. You’re worried about your mother.”
    “She could be a problem.”
    When Daisy opened her eyes, Nikki walked around to the
window behind Daisy, and shifted the blinds shut.
    “There. Now she’ll be even more curious. How soon can you
develop them?”
    The little lady wasn’t kidding. This wasn’t a joke. Now
Daisy had to either shit or get off the pot.
    “I need a week or so to tweak. Maybe more.”
    “And if you do liquid hand soaps with the same scents, how
much longer?”
    Daisy goggled at her. “I’m sorry? Liquid soaps?”
    Nikki held up the display screen of her phone and pointed
to a series of text messages. “I talked to Trinity. Don’t keep secrets from me.
Professional no-no.”
    Daisy ran her tongue over dry lips, speechless.
    “And while you’re estimating that, I need a fourth soup.
Something for men.”
    “Shit.” It came out in a whisper, and Nikki barked with
laughter.
    “Yeah, that’s the kind of reaction I’ve grown to expect from my crew. Lay it on me, Daisy.”
    “I…” Daisy shook her head and shrugged. “I need a couple
of weeks, especially with having to tip-toe around Momma.”
    “Fine. Fill out a materials requisition and get it to
Trinity ASAP. I want all the supplies in before she leaves for her honeymoon
next weekend.”
    “Okay, I’ll…” What?
When are you going to manage that with Momma looking over your shoulder all
afternoon? “I’ll do it tonight.” Daisy stood to leave the office.
    “Great, keep me updated. I’m so stoked. Now I just need to
get Ben on board.”
    “On board for what?”
    “I offered him a marketing job this morning. Told me he’d
think about it.” Her grin was devious. “They always come around.”
    “Oh.” Daisy’s stomach churned as she pulled the door open.
“Good to know.” If he said yes, she’d have to see him again. What the hell
would she say?
    She returned to the worktable where Momma was measuring
out colloidal oatmeal. Daisy set about gathering the other ingredients for the
familiar bath soap.
    “What’d Nikki want?” Momma asked, not even looking up.
    “Nothing, just wanted to see why I was late.”
    “Why were you
late?”
    “I was just late. Happens sometimes.”
    “Right. Called your house last night around nine to see if
you wanted me to pick you up this morning. Liz said you left before lunch and
hadn’t come home yet.”
    Daisy didn’t respond. She just readied the trays.
    “Where’d you go?”
    “Out.”
    “With who?”
    Daisy sighed. “Why, Momma?”
    Momma finally looked up, and jammed her fists against her
hips. “Why? Because I know it wasn’t Barry. Barry was at your place.”
    “How do you know that?”
    “Because I sent him over there.” She rolled her eyes.
“Duh.”
    Daisy felt the blood in her