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The words come out of her mouth like she’s going to be late for the next thing and she has a list of things she must tell me. Honestly, there is nothing relaxing about her voice or the tone, but I nod at her and wait for directions.
“Could you tell me where to put my things and change?” I ask, wanting to get on with this day.
“Sure. Please follow me.” When she steps out from behind the giant desk, I realize she’s wearing some super high heels that are in fact black and clack on the floor in the most annoying way. Instead of calling her out, I just follow her while she chatters the whole way to the back of the building.
“This is our changing room and relaxation lounge. Please place your things in a locker and then rest on a lounger. Your therapist will be in soon.”
Quickly I change and make myself comfortable on one of the super plush chairs that line the wall of windows, and prop my feet up on the foot stool, taking in everything around me. One wall is floor-to-ceiling greenery with a blue neon sign that says breathe. So, I follow directions and take a deep breath before letting a small giggle out. I’m breathing in cloud breath while trying to relax, yet just making fun of all the ridiculousness this is. Henley would laugh with me all the way to get her body poked, prodded, and rubbed down, except today is about me.
Xan’s note was equal parts sweet and demanding. He demanded that I spend the day getting pampered, but also that I decide what I really need and want to make me happy. I could have told him it doesn’t take much—a simple but perfect cup of coffee and some snuggles with Mr. Big. But I have a feeling that wouldn’t have made him very happy.
A few moments later, this big burly man with an Eastern European accent comes in wearing white scrubs to get me and take me into a room.
“This will be your room for the first part of the day. Once we finish here, you will go to the salon for your hair and nails.” He opens the door to a huge room with a deep soaking tub in one corner and a massage table in the middle. On the other side is a plush dental chair of sorts. The lights are dim and the string lights on the ceiling give the space a bit of ambiance I didn’t expect. I walk around the space trying to figure out what I want to see first, when he interrupts my perusal. “The tub has been prepared for you to soak. Once the timer rings, dry off before taking your place on the table, under the covers. If you need anything, please push the bell.” He points to a doorbell that is next to the light switch just inside the door.
“Thank you,” I say, feeling a bit overwhelmed. This is so much more than I could have imagined.
He closes the door behind him and I sit on the edge of the table waiting for a few moments before I take off the robe and slip into the warm water.
Isn’t it interesting that when given the chance to focus on me, I do something drastic and chop off my hair? When I was growing up my friends were always jealous that I had naturally long blond hair that was straight and thick. They always wanted to take pictures of me to the salon when they were going to get their hair done and asked their stylist to make their hair the color of mine. Interestingly enough, no one ever liked theirs as much as mine and I realized it was a futile quest and said thank you to the heavens for what I was given.
“What do you think, Ms. Parker? Is it everything you thought it would be?” Pierre asks me.
“It’s better, Pierre. I’m in love with it.” I give my head a toss and feel lighter physically and emotionally.
“Yay.” He jumps around as he yells, the excitement radiating from his pores. “You must come back and see me. I’ll always take care of you.”
“Of course. When I’m in town, I’ll make a point to come to see you,” I tell him, sliding from the chair. “I need to go get dressed now.”
This is the awkward part for me. Since I’m not paying for anything today, I don’t know what to do after each service.
He nods at me and gives me the sweetest smile, then I walk back into the lounge to get dressed. It doesn’t take me long to throw on my dress and shoes, then collect my handbag and quickly glance in the mirror. I’m glowing—yeah, I can say that.
I quickly walk down the long hall to the front of the spa and stop at the desk. “Could you please run my card for gratuity and split it between my service providers?” I ask the woman standing there.
“Mr. Lake has well compensated everyone today.” She looks down at the computer and then hands me an envelope. “He did leave this for you though.”
“Thank you,” I say, taking it from her hands. Immediately I recognize the envelope as the same type that includes my daily notes. I step away from the counter and move to the side while I open the envelope, and a couple hundred dollars fall into my lap.
Kollyns—I hope you enjoyed your spa day. Tonight we’re going to have dinner at my apartment. Please stop by Whole Foods on your way home and pick up the ingredients for your favorite meal. Make sure to include dessert. We’ll cook together once I arrive.
~ Xan
He has no idea what he’s asking for, but I’m totally game. Tonight will be Greek chicken, mac and cheese, and brown sugar green beans. I guess it doesn’t matter that I’ve never made this meal even though I love it. I guess I’ll need to call Mom for all the details before I do my shopping.
I take the next few minutes to text my mom and ask for the recipes I need for the main dish and dessert. I’m thankful that most food stores have angel food cakes pre-made in the bakery so that will take care of the hard part. I can clean and slice strawberries before adding lemon juice and sugar. But don’t get me started on why lemon juice and sugar. Don’t they cancel each other out? But mom taught me how to make this in college because she was determined that I’d have enough skills to take something when I was invited to a dinner party.
“Not everyone drinks wine, Kollyns. Every woman should have something she can bring to a party that isn’t booze.”
I hear her saying that just like it was yesterday, even though it’s been closer to twenty years now and I don’t even want to acknowledge it.
“Thanks so much, I really enjoyed myself today,” I say when I stand up and head toward the door. Now it’s time to figure out part two of this day.
Chapter 14
Xan
CHOOSE THE ADVENTURE
