The massage is, of course, booked with a man, but I quickly protest and am able to switch to an available woman who had a client cancel on her. I relax immediately after that is taken care of and enjoy my facial first, laughing with Juls as we lie next to each other on a doublewide table and get pampered together. I hadn’t realized she has made it so we will be attached at the hip all day, but am instantly grateful. As we are left alone to let our masks dry, I take her silence as my opportunity to spill my juice.
“So, Reese told me last night that Ian talks about you constantly. Just thought you should know.” I crack a smile and hear her react next to me, a soft gasp coming from her lips.
“Oh, man, I think I love him, Dylan. Like totally head over heels, I want to spend the rest of my life with him kind of love. Is that crazy? I mean, we’ve only known each other a few months and I’ve already picked out my fucking wedding colors.”
I let out a hearty laugh and grab her hand, squeezing it tightly. “And what color will I be wearing? If you say something pastel, I’m pushing you off this table.”
“Oh, fuck no. You know I’ve always dreamed of a fall wedding.” She grunts in annoyance. “Jesus, why are we even talking about this? It’s not like Ian is anywhere close to proposing to me. He hasn’t said he loves me, if he even does, which he probably doesn’t. And I am not going to be the fool who says it first and stands there like an idiot waiting for his response. No fucking way.”
“Maybe he’s just waiting for the perfect moment. You said he’s romantic as hell. Maybe he wants to make sure you’re ready to hear everything he has to say.”
The door opens and our two estheticians return as I scrunch my face up and feel the mask crack. Juls sighs. “I don’t know, maybe. Whatever, I refuse to say it first, that’s all I’m saying.”
“Me, too,” I respond without any thought at all and hear a loud gasp from my right. No. No way. I am not in love with Reese. Nope.
“Oh, my…” she starts, but I squeeze her hand tightly and hear a yelp instead of the rest of her sentence.
I stammer, “That’s not what I meant. I didn’t… I mean, I don’t. Shit.” I turn my head and see her wide eyes, a smile cracking open her face. “You mention a word of this conversation to Joey and I will tell Ian myself that you’ve picked out the names of your children.” She begins to silently giggle and I slowly join her. Jesus Christ. Note to self, don’t go to spa days with Juls anymore because you lose your fucking mind.
We settle in for our massages and once again, I completely forget about the state of my upper body after I strip and sprawl out on my stomach, waiting for my masseuse. “The fuck is that?” My best friend screeches as she settles in next to me. I grunt into the open headrest I’m staring at the floor through. Well, I might as well spill it since her reaction can’t be any worse than Reese’s.
I exhale loudly before I explain. “Justin stopped by the shop yesterday, drunk out of his mind, and came on to me. I wasn’t very receptive and he didn’t handle it well.” I can feel her body tense next to me as I keep my head down. Here it comes. If you haven’t had the pleasure of being introduced to hurricane Juls, consider yourself lucky.
“WHAT THE FUCK, DYLAN! That sorry ass motherfucker will wish he was dead when I’m done with him!” Her voice is so loud; I’m certain every person at the spa is getting a taste of this.
“You sound like Reese.”
“Fuck that. Reese can have him after I get my hands on him first. No guy should ever put his hands on a girl.” She pauses and I hear her tense breathing. “He hasn’t… Dylan, please tell me he’s never done this before.”
I push up and rest on my elbows. “Are you serious? He has never touched me before, ever. I would have killed him and you know it. Now can we drop this please? I want to relax and you freaking out next to me isn’t helping.”
“I’m going to cut his balls off and mail them to his mother.” Juls scowls at me as the door opens and two older ladies come in. She settles down on her stomach and curses under her breath.
“Oh, my. Honey, those bruises.” The one masseuse states and I grunt, resting my head back down.
“Yeah, yeah. Just work my lower back and my legs please,” I say flatly and in a way to let everyone in this fucking room know I am done talking about this. Because I am. If Justin ever touches me again, I won’t have to worry about Reese getting into trouble for retaliating or Juls ripping his heart out of his chest, because I will end him myself.