“LaLa?” Mack’s voice was groggy and confused.
“I guess you aren’t the only active sleeper,” Kayla said.
They laughed, but it was a little strained. Not only had she wrapped her arm around Mack’s torso, but she had slid one leg across her as well. Her knee hovered dangerously close to intimate areas. Before she could think too much about it, she hustled to the bathroom to change for their morning run.
“Oh my God, I love your nails. Did you get those done here on the resort? I just adore the colors.”
Kayla was laying it on too thick, but the spa receptionist gave her an indulgent smile that seemed to ask, “Why do white women always do this?” At least she hadn’t complimented her hair. Or, cringiest of all, tried to touch it.
“No ma’am. My sister does my nails. She has a shop in town if you’d like the address, the shuttle can take you,” the receptionist said.
Mack snickered behind her. She’d walked right into that one.
“Maybe next time.” Kayla leaned in close to whisper. “I was hoping I could convince you to do me a favor.”
“I’ll do everything I can to make your stay at Rainbow Sands more enjoyable, madame.”
Kayla pulled a twenty-dollar bill out of her pocket and laid it on the counter. “My friend back here. She and her fiancée, Amy, want to be taken back for their massages first.”
The receptionist’s eyes flitted to the cash, then over her shoulder at Mack, who had dropped into a chair next to the complimentary snacks and champagne. “You aren’t her fiancée?”
“No. She’s with Amy. Dr. Amy Nielsen. Blonde, super short, bubbly, with a bow in her hair. You can make that happen for them, can’t you?”
She flicked her eyes down at the money pointedly, and Kayla sighed, sliding another twenty on top of the first. When the receptionist only continued to smile, Kayla widened her eyes. The receptionist just grinned and waited. Kayla sighed. Whatever. She would pay whatever it took to pull this off, but between the bribe and the cost of the massages themselves, she was going to be eating nothing but rice for a month.
Kayla slapped the last bill down and raised her eyebrows in challenge at the receptionist. If she didn’t accept this quickly, Skye and Amy would get here and the jig would be up.Fortunately, she reached out, tapping her gaudily manicured nails on the counter as she slid the money into her pocket.
“Certainly, madame. As I said, anything to make your stay at Rainbow Sands more enjoyable.”
Kayla’s return smile was more fangs than teeth. “You’re a life-saver. Thanks.”
“What was that all about?” Mack asked as Kayla dropped into the armchair beside her.
She didn’t have a chance to answer because at that moment the spa door swung open to admit Skye and Amy. Just like every time she saw them together, Kayla’s stomach twisted. Her eyes locked on Skye’s arm wrapped around Amy’s waist. She could still remember the weight of that touch. The intimacy of it. The promise of a future. She would do just about anything—including humiliating herself in a moderately successful bribery attempt—to get that future back.
“Hey, you two,” Amy called with a cheery wave.
Mack smiled and stood up, greeting her with a polite hug. Kayla couldn’t help but clock how warm that greeting was. Mack had certainly made progress on her task of sucking up to Amy. She was always the kind one between them. And, after all, Amy would need a friend when this was over. Kayla’s annoyance melted into an appreciation for her best friend. What’s more, she could take advantage of those kind instincts.
“Hi there,” Kayla said and stepped into Skye’s arms.
Her abrupt movement meant Skye had no choice but to accept the embrace. At first, it was an awkward, one-sided hug, but after a moment, she pulled her arm from Amy’s waist and wrapped both around Kayla.
Just like that, the last year and a half melted away. The fights and the tears and the overwhelming pain evaporated as Skye’s scent wrapped around her. The ever-present sunscreen that smelled of bananas, a hint of apple from her hairspray. Cleancotton and sun-warmed skin. It was never just one thing with Skye. It was a conglomeration of scents that was overwhelming at first, but smoothed into a wonderful, well-loved whole. Without warning, emotion ripped through Kayla’s body. She nearly wept at the flood. It felt like coming home after a tough loss on the pitch. Like dropping into her favorite armchair with Mr. Pebbles on her lap. Like breathing and suffocating all at once.
Before she could get lost in the emotion, Kayla let go and took a step back. She was honestly a little surprised to see Skye looking just as shell-shocked as she felt. Mack, on the other hand, looked like she could rip Skye limb from limb with her bare hands.
Amy, seemingly oblivious to the whole exchange, said, “I can’t tell you how excited I am for this. I have never needed a massage more. Thanks again, Kayla.”
“Yeah, um, thanks,” Skye said.
Mack grunted and shared her scowl evenly between Kayla and Skye.
“It’s my pleasure,” Kayla said.
“Oh my God, is that champagne?” Amy asked. “Yummy, yummy.”
She dropped Skye’s hand and hustled over to the table of snacks and drinks. Skye didn’t follow. In fact, it wasn’t entirely clear if Skye even knew that Amy had been there. Her eyes hadn’t left Kayla since she’d entered the spa. She gave Skye a suggestive little wink, then spun on her heel to head over to the table herself. She may have imagined it, but she swore she heard a quiet burst of air as Skye let out her held breath. This was going to be easier than she thought.
