Tessa showed up at the end of Sindy’s 12-hour shift at the diner and insisted she spend another night at the mansion. She didn’t want to take advantage of her friend’s hospitality. Tessa had already offered so much, but it didn’t take much coercing. The idea of sleeping on the cozy couch in a warm room with an accessible bathroom was a dream come true. And after the harrowing night and morning, followed by a day of filling cups with coffee and endless trips to and from the kitchen, she was too exhausted to argue.
The house was quiet again, except for the music coming from Lucas’ suite, and she imagined that in a home this size it was easy not to cross paths with one another, for which she was grateful. Still embarrassed that they knew her situation, she didn’t want to see any of Tessa’s parents.
“Do you want to use the shower again?” Tessa asked.
“Maybe in the morning. I’ll just wash up before I go to sleep. It’s been a helluva day.”
An array of facial scrubs and body lotions lined the marble counter in the bathroom. Sindy twisted the cap off one of two twin bottles with purple flowers on the label and sniffed the contents. A multitude of floral scents made her feel as if she stepped into a field of fresh flowers. It tickled her nose and invigorated her senses. After she washed her face with the cleanser, she rubbed the matching lotion into her sore muscles. The botanical oils made her feel alive, when she was ready to drop only ten minutes earlier. Her skin tingled and glowed from pampering. So this is how rich people stayed so beautiful, she mused.
When she exited the bathroom, Tessa was on the computer at the desk. “Sorry I took so long. It was heaven in there.” Sindy sniffed her forearm. “I hope you don’t mind that I used some of your lotion. Whatever it is, it’s divine.”
“Isn’t it? My mom brought it back from Milan when she was there for Fashion Week.”
It probably cost a fortune, and it was a gift. Sindy immediately felt guilty for not asking before helping herself to the lotion. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t—”
“It’s OK. I have tons. She gets all kinds of stuff like that in the swag bags she receives. I can give you a bottle if you want.”
“I couldn’t. It’s not right. You’ve already done—”
“Take it. It’s not a big deal. Did you look in the cabinet? It would take me a year to get through that stuff.”
Did this girl really have so many amenities that she could part with them so easily?
“I’m gonna jump in the shower.” Tessa paused before she entered the bedroom. “I hope you know you can get something in the kitchen. Not just up here, but downstairs, too.”
Sindy nodded, although she would never dare walk downstairs by herself. “Thanks. I ate at the diner. But I’ll take a bottle of water.”
“Help yourself.”
While Tessa showered, Sindy clicked on the TV, changed into the tank top and lounge pants from last night, and curled up on the couch with a bottle of water. She noticed that the linens and pillow from last night were sitting on the other end of the couch, as if waiting for her return. She stuck the pillow behind her head, draped the soft blanket over her and snuggled into the scent of lavender. This little slice of paradise was all she wanted. The space was perfect, and she imagined the day that she’d enjoy something like it for herself. She envied Tessa and imagined what it might have been like to grow up with loving parents who guided and cared about your life.
“Tess, you up?” It was Lucas’ voice coming through the door, and then a knock.
Sindy didn’t answer.
“Tessa?”
“She’s in the shower,” Sindy called in reply.
“Can I come in?”
Sindy quickly sat up and pushed the blanket off her. “Um. Sure.”
He poked his head in, hesitantly. “I don’t want to bother you.”
“This is your house, Lucas. You don’t need my permission to come into your sister’s room.”
He let out a short laugh. “Yes I do. I learned a long time ago to respect Tessa’s privacy. She’ll cut my nuts off if I walk into her room uninvited. I just want to drop off this sheet music. She’s writing lyrics for a song we put together a while ago.” He placed it on the desk and stood there, looking at her.
She was puzzled by his smile, until his eyes dropped, and she realized the flimsy tank top she wore clung to her bare breasts. Flushed, she took the pillow from behind her head and hugged it in front of her.
He had the nerve to laugh. “I wasn’t checking you out.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Why not?”
He raised his brow, challenging her brazen taunting.
She had no idea why she loved to get a rise out of him, but it held such gratification. He sat next to her, and she realized she was pushing boundaries. “What do you want, Lucas?”
