Page 29 of All In

“I’m so glad our parents took it well. Feel kinda bad for lying to them, though,” Harlow says as we walk into the massage parlor.

Ugh. I feel bad for lying to them too, and just like I suspected, this massage is right on time. My back is full of knots, and I could really use some tension release.

“What do you wanna do after this?” Harlow asks, bouncing on his toes.

I wonder if going back to the room and taking a long nap is a good option. Things seem to have settled some between us. After we talked to Harlow’s parents, who took things as well as mine did, we ate breakfast—lunch, really—and then put both of our phones on Do Not Disturb.

The notifications were absolutely wild, and even though most of them were good, there were enough nasty comments that we decided to protect our peace. The most important people in our lives can reach us, and that’s really all that matters.

“Take a nap, maybe,” I suggest, and Harlow nods.

“Yeah, sounds good to me. I’m getting to the dead tired part of my hangover, and I’m sure this massage is gonna make it even worse.”

“Perfect.”

An older man with white hair comes around the corner. “Hello, gentlemen. How can I help you?”

“Uh, yes,” Harlow says, stepping up to the counter. “I have a couples massage booked. Harlow Young.”

He types something into the computer, then nods, his brow furrowing. “Alright. I’ve got you here. If you want to follow me.”

Harlow reaches behind him, and for a second I’m not sure what he wants, but then he grabs my hand. It’s not even anything new. We’ve held hands. We’ve cuddled. But everything feels different now. For me anyway.

I slide my fingers through his, and when the man spots them, he grins.

“Sorry,” Harlow says, not sounding apologetic at all. “We’re newlyweds.”

My heart skips a whole-ass beat in my chest, and the older man laughs. “Yeah, we see a lot of those around these parts. Congratulations.”

Harlow shoots me an indulgent grin over his shoulder. “Thank you so much.”

The older man leads us to a room, and we step inside, then he smiles at us before closing the door behind us.

There are two massage beds in the center. There’s soft music playing, and the lights are turned down low. The whole atmosphere is kind of… romantic. Which I guess makes sense.

It’s totally fine as long as I don’t think about how this was supposed to be for Harlow and Josh.

“Wow,” Harlow breathes, running his fingers along the soft-looking drape over the bed.

There’s a knock at the door, and two women walk in. “Hi! I’m Mara, and this is Lita.”

After going through a quick assessment with us to make sure we don’t have any health issues, injuries, or concerns, Mara informs us that because this is an oil massage, stripping fully nude is preferred to avoid soiling clothing, but it isn’t necessary.

Harlow smiles. “Okay, perfect. Thank you.”

Mara nods. “We’ll give you a few minutes to get undressed and under the drape, and we’ll be back.”

When they walk out, panic sets in. I have to be naked for this? I have to be naked and very, very close to Harlow? Fuck.

Harlow, unashamed as ever, strips his shirt over his head and carefully folds it. I try to keep my gaze averted, but it’s hard. His chest is smooth and hairless, his nipples peaked from the cool room.

I finally get my shit together and look away when he slips his pants off his slim hips and shimmies to get them down his legs.

With my heart pounding in my ears, I stare at the wall and strip my clothes off.

When I’m down to just my boxers, I get closer to the table, fingers gripping the waistband.

“If you don’t want to take them off, you don’t have to.”