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I’d thought of Dax often, but I didn’t think he would reach out again. He’d seemed embarrassed about getting aroused during the massage, so it surprised me that he’d tried to book another. I didn’t really understand our connection. But there was a connection. We came from two totally different worlds, and yet somehow, at least in my mind, when we talked to each other, time stood still. I’d considered reaching out to let him know I left Elite but had decided not to be presumptuous. Deep down, I knew if he really wanted to get in touch again, he would find a way. And it seemed he had.
I sat in front of my computer for about fifteen minutes before responding.
Hey Moody,
It’s good to hear from you. It makes me happy to know the massage had its intended effect and you were able to relax that night. Everything is good with me, although I’m currently not working. Long story short, I left to take a position with another massage company. But they turned out to be terrible. So I’m currently looking for another job. My attitude is that everything happens for a reason, so I’m trying to use this time as a gift, spending more hours making music and meditating. I’m sure I’ll find another position soon. I hope you’re well? How is Rafe? My buddy Winston?
Wren
P.S. “The Swan” by Saint-Saens is one of my favorites as well.
I tried to avoid checking the site for a response like a madwoman. So I closed out and vowed not to look again for at least an hour.
At 10 PM, I went back and saw that Dax had responded.
God, Wren. I’m really sorry to hear about the job situation. Are you working independently at all? If so, I would love to book another session.
My heart beat faster. I wouldn’t normally be working independently because it was too much work to vet customers myself. In fact, I’d never worked as a freelancer. I much preferred being attached to a company. But since I “knew” Dax, this would be different. It would be some money in my pocket, and who was I kidding? I’d get to see him again. That was the real reason I’d say yes. He could’ve asked me to come over and clean his floors for free, and I probably would’ve said yes.
I don’t typically work independently, but since I know you, I’d be happy to come by. You could just pay me whatever you paid Elite for my services. Let me know what timeframe you have in mind in terms of scheduling.
His response came within five minutes.
That sounds great. I appreciate you making an exception for me. Would you happen to have availability this coming Friday around noon? I took the day off and would prefer to do it before Rafe comes home from school. No worries if that doesn’t work out. We can figure out another time.
Goose bumps peppered my skin as I responded.
Friday at noon works great. See you then.
• • •
I hadn’t been able to concentrate on anything else all week. When Friday arrived, I’d already spent way too much time debating what to wear. Deep down, I knew this was much more to me than an appointment. I wondered if it was all in my head or if the vibe I’d gotten from Dax since our last meeting was real. Did he like me, or did he just want another massage?
He was a complex man. And his life was understandably too complicated right now to deal with a relationship of any kind, so I wasn’t sure why my hopes were up. What did I want from him? All I knew was that any time I was about to see him, an inexplicable excitement filled me.
Once I got to his house in Brookline, butterflies swarmed in my belly as I knocked on his door and waited.
About a minute later, the door opened. Dax looked gorgeous in dark jeans and a slim-fitting, beige ribbed sweater that displayed his muscles beautifully. His hair was damp from the shower. He was more stunning than ever.
“Hey, Wren. Good to see you.” He waved me inside. “Come in.”
“Good to see you, too.” I stepped into the house.
He reached for my table and carried it to a corner of the foyer.
The sound of paws scratching against the floor registered, and then Winston appeared. He immediately started barking.
“Sorry about him,” Dax said. “I was going to put him behind the gate, but the groomer is coming to get him.”
“Your groomer picks him up?”
“For an extra fee, yeah.”
“Wow. That’s cool.”
“They’ll call Shannon to pick him up when he’s ready. She’s out running some errands.”
I turned to the big, fluffy beast. “You know, Winston, I read online that English sheepdogs are known for liking to cuddle. I wish you would let me hug you. But I’m afraid to upset you.”
