“When I manage this place, it’ll be different,” she vowed, her voice firm. “The spa won’t serve raclette and rösti potatoes and Toblerone fondue in the café anymore. Or sell decorative cowbells.”
“You want to manage the spa?” He’d had no idea. Then again, Brendan’s gatherings weren’t always conducive to serious discussions of professional aspirations. More to beer pong, really.
“Not just the spa.” She grinned at him. “I plan to manage the entire resort.”
For that, he gave her another fist-bump. “Nice.”
Then he headed for the booties and eye masks, almost immediately spotting the best option for his purposes. The fluffy white booties, whose microwaveable inserts were filled with various grains, along with thyme and—of course—“natural edelweiss scent,” would cover more of poor Tess’s lower belly than a standard eye mask.
He held the sample pair up to his own belly, considering the surface area issue. After a moment of thought, he repositioned the booties, arranging them like puzzle pieces, with the feet at opposite ends. Better, although he supposed he could always visit the first aid station to see whether it stocked—
“I think you may have misunderstood the purpose of the product.” A familiar, amused voice came from behind him. “Unless you’ve sprouted abdominal growths I didn’t notice during my last visit, those booties go about three feet lower.”
When he swung around, Karolina was standing there in her robe and matching slippers, her blond hair piled into a loose knot on top of her head, her ivory skin glowing from whatever treatment she’d just experienced. Something involving Gruyère cheese, probably.
He didn’t have much time to chat, but he also didn’t intend to treat her like a hindrance or a nuisance or anything but what she was: a woman he liked and with whom he’d once had a casual relationship.
Still, this was a bit of a tricky conversation, given the context. “They’re, uh, not for me.”
At that, her husky laugh rippled through the spa. “Yes, I somehow thought that might be the case.” Her gaze lowered to the booties pressed against his belly, and she gave a little nod of understanding. “If your Tess is dealing with discomfort in that area, those should help. Or if you’d like, when I make a trip to the mainland tomorrow, I can pick up something better.”
It was a kind offer. Surprisingly kind, under the circumstances.
And he liked the sound ofyour Tess. Maybe more than he should.
“I think the booties will work for now. Thank you for the offer, though.” He tucked an unopened package beneath his arm. Then, upon further thought, added a second package, in hopes of covering more surface area. “When I was on the Tour, we had basic medical supplies around us at all times, including heating pads and cold packs. Now I basically only have bandages and ibuprofen in my apartment. Which is probably a good sign, considering the reason I retired, but rather inconvenient at the moment.”
Karo’s lips parted, and she didn’t say anything for a few seconds. Her study of him sharpened.
“You know,” she said slowly, “that may be the most personal information I’ve ever gotten from you. It’s definitely the first time you’ve talked about your past on the Tour.”
That couldn’t be true. Could it?
When he thought back, though, he couldn’t remember a conversation with Karo about anything of actual import. Just interludes of flirting and innuendo and small talk as a prelude to sex.
“I’m sorry.” What else could he say, really? At the time, he hadn’t had more to offer, and she’d never given any indication she actually wanted more. And now there was no room in his head or his bed—maybe not even in his heart—for anyone but Tess.
Oddly enough, it hadn’t hurt to talk about his past. Hadn’t left him uncomfortably exposed or tempted to deploy flirtation as a distraction.
Huh.
“No need to be sorry.” Karo smiled at him, the expression seemingly sincere. “I’m just…startled, I guess. If I’d met the man who talked to me on that overlook, or the man who’s currently shopping for cramp-relief supplies in booty form, before this trip—”
When she gave a little shake of her head, loose tendrils of hair danced around her face. “Well, I might have played things a bit differently. That’s all.” Her bright smile dimmed a bit. “But that never would have happened, right? No matter how long you and I were involved. Because she’s the reason you’ve finally opened up.”
The conversation had turned from ill-timed to uncomfortable. “I don’t know what to say, Karo.”
“You don’t have to say anything, Lucas. You haven’t done anything wrong.” She glanced toward the treatment rooms. “I’m due for a Kirsch-cherry blossom scrub, so I’d better go. Take care of yourself and your Tess.”
“I will. Thank you again, Karo.” He pressed his lips together, holding his hands awkwardly at his sides. Under normal circumstances, he’d hug her before she left, but…
Before he could make up his mind, she was already gliding away, graceful as ever despite the oversized slippers.
“One more thing, Lucas,” she tossed over her shoulder, her smile restored to its normal wattage. “In Tess’s position, I live by one simple motto: When in doubt, eat chocolate.”
He saluted her with a package of booties, and then she was gone.
Beside the register, there was a basket of giant Toblerone bars. He bought two. One for Tess. One to hold behind the counter for Karo as an additional silent apology, even though she’d said apologies weren’t necessary.
