I blink. “Wait—really?”
He nods. “Yeah. You guys have already done more than I ask, go have fun.”
He pauses, “but not too much fun.”
“Thanks, boss!” I say grinning.
Genevieve looks over at him. “You sure you’ll be okay?”
Raul waves her off with his rag like we’re flies in his kitchen, “I’m sure. Now go before I change my mind.”
I don’t need to be told twice. I reach for Genevieve’s hand and we slip out of the bar like kids ditching class. Only this time, we’re heading for a surprise I can’t wait to see her reaction for.
31
Genevieve
I was surprised to be getting let go early today—but I was even more surprised when Aspen told me where we were going. A full spa day? With him?
Say less!
I would’ve happily worked the full shift, no complaints. But this? This is so much better. More time with Aspen? I’ll take every second.
He pulls up to the resort’s spa—the same one I was at last weekend with Lana, scrolling through Tinder and swiping right on every blue-eyed guy with even a hint of Aspen’s looks. God, thank God I found him. Or his brother, I guess you could say. Either way, fate got me here, and I’m not letting go.
“Here we are, your spa day awaits,” he says, like it’s the most casual thing in the world.
I’m speechless. This was such a kind gesture. How is he affording this? I don’t want to make him feel weird by asking, so I say nothing. Maybe he has some secret spa points, maybe I don’t care. We walk inside and it smells like eucalyptus and lavender and heaven. Everything is neutral and clean and serene. I feel my whole body relax just stepping through the doors.
The tall blonde receptionist from last weekend glances up at us. I recognize her instantly but I’m not sure she recognizes me, especially not with Aspen next to me instead of Lana. She seems surprised and I can’t blame her.
“Hi! Reservation for Aspen. I had Becky call just a few minutes ago,” he says smoothly.
“Oh right! And you’re Genevieve, right?” She says smiling at me.
I blink. She remembers me? How kind.
“Yeah,” I say smiling. “Nice to see you again!”
She tosses her long hair, longer than I remember, over one shoulder. Probably extensions. Gorgeous, either way. She taps a few things on her iPad before handing one to Aspen and then to me.
“Just a quick check-in,” she says. “You can note any areas you’d like us to avoid or pay extra attention to and let us know if you have any injuries.”
I scan the little diagram of the body on the screen and circle my shoulders and legs. I pause for a second before checking no injuries, my heart's the only thing at risk of breaking around here.
Aspen finishes quickly, probably not even thinking twice about it. Of course he wouldn’t. He’s a guy, he’s probably never been massaged before.
She takes the iPads back and smiles again, “you guys are all checked in and ready to go. Your rooms will be right next to each other at the end of the hall on the left.”
Aspen looks at me, then back to her. “Do you think there’s any way we can be in the couple’s room for the couple’s massage?”
I swear the word couple echoes in my head like a song stuck on repeat. Couple’s massage. Couple. Am I overanalyzing it? Maybe, probably, definitely, but I love the way it sounds coming from him.
The receptionist seems to take in the shift between us, her smile softens. “Of course! Sorry about that.”
Aspen glances at me, and I can’t help but beam.
“Oh! Can I get Caesar again?” I ask, remembering his strong hands, literal magic.
