Free Beneath It All (Beneath #1) by Tori Madison Page A

oncologists to discuss my treatment options. The first was an older gentleman who looked like Santa and had an accent like Arnold Schwarzenegger. While he came highly recommended, I couldn’t get past the mental picture of Arnold dressed up like Santa from the movie Jingle All the Way .
    After meeting the second recommended physician, Dr. Jill Guthrie, I knew I had found the right oncologist for me. She was genuine and didn’t try to candy coat anything. Noah and I both felt comfortable with her, but the thing that I loved most was that when she was leaving, she wrapped her arm around my shoulder and said, “Everything is going to be all right, kiddo.” That right there sealed the deal!
    After reviewing and completing all of the pre-surgical paperwork and completing my pre-op exam, I was able to take a deep breath for a few days. I tried to avoid the urge to read about breast cancer on the Internet, but that was impossible. Noah was working longer hours to wrap up some business so he could take a few weeks off to tend to me, and I found myself reading everything I didn’t want to know about breast cancer.
    I researched different forms of treatment, looked at pictures of reconstruction, and found a few online support groups for younger women who had breast cancer. It was overwhelming and made me question everything. I needed to stop and find something else to do to keep my mind off of what was happening to me.
    On Monday night, I had a light-bulb moment and quickly grabbed my phone to text my three best friends—Jen, Bobbie Jo, and Dana.
    Bobbie Jo and I had met through a mutual friend after I had started my design firm. She was one of those people who I felt like I had known my entire life. She was full of energy and added the perfect amount of craziness to my life. Over the years, we had done some traveling together, as she was in the design business as well, and we also had gone to a few showroom events together. Wherever we went, she turned heads; she oozed confidence and had that look that had men staring . . . even the gay ones, who she loved flirting with, and often became close friends with. I enjoyed watching her in action. She was one in a million, and I was so happy we had become such close friends.
    Then there was Dana, my college roommate. We didn’t see each other as much anymore due to her travel schedule, but when we were together, it was nonstop gossip and laughter. We spent our freshman spring break flirting our way down the beach in Jamaica. We both loved Bob Marley, and so the destination choosing was easy. Planning the trip on a college-student budget, however, was not. But somehow we made it. It was my first and last college spring break, since I met Noah eight months later and skipped on the next spring break trip and all the ones after that. I lived vicariously through her on those trips, while I attempted skiing again with Noah and his friends. I definitely wasn’t a snow bunny. I was a born-and-bred beach babe, and nothing would change that.
    “Hello ladies. You have all asked what you can do to help me during this time, and believe it or not, I have something you can do. Noah is working a lot, and I need an escape to get my mind off of things. I’m proposing a spa day or dinner with my besties in the next day or two. Surgery is scheduled for Friday the 25, and I hope we can figure something in the next day or two. Sorry for the short notice.”
    Send.
    Within minutes, they all responded with huge YES answers. In true Bobbie Jo fashion, Bobbie Jo offered to set everything up and would let us all know the details. With her running the show, I knew this would be the perfect day.
    Two hours later, I received a text:
    Bobbie Jo: Spa day is scheduled for tomorrow! Cancel your day or call in sick because you’re meeting Victoria and me at the PreserveSpa at eleven tomorrow morning. I’ve got us all scheduled for facials, manis/pedis, and massages, followed by hair and makeup. A late champagne