In a way, I did.
Those memories. I just... I didn't want them. I wanted that slice of my life to never float up again. In my pocket, my phone buzzed. Drying my hands, I slid it out, reading the screen.
Silver: Go to Lotus Spa on Fourth Street, they'll be expecting you. Bring the dress, you'll wear it tonight. I'm taking you to dinner.
He'd arranged for me to go to a spa, and he wanted to have dinner? I liked that way more than our secret sex club encounter.
I typed back, Sounds like a date. Before I hit send, I caught myself smiling in the mirror. Silver had taken me from sick and stressed, to giddy and excited in an instant.
Chuckling, I pushed the button, then put my phone away.
This man...
He made it so easy to forget my troubles.
- Chapter Nine -
Alexis
The spa was on a stretch of downtown that was reserved for high end shops. In other words, a place I rarely explored.
With the box containing my dress under one arm, I strolled through the doors and into the peaceful, wood-wind sounding waiting area. There was a woman at the counter, and she eyeballed me with doubt as I approached.
“Hey there,” I said, feeling out of place. “Apparently I have a reservation or something?”
Her drawn on eyebrows moved higher. “Oh?” With long, manicured nails, she flipped the pages of the book on the counter. “Name?”
Could he have picked a snootier spa? “Alexis. Alexis Willow.”
She started to smile, but her lips twitched. “Huh. Here you are.” She sounded surprised, double checking the list. Then, in a great show of skill, she put on a huge grin and spread her arms. “Welcome to the Lotus Spa! I see you've been booked for the deluxe package.”
I gripped the box a tad tighter. “I don't know if I'm a deluxe kind of person.”
“Nonsense! It comes with a salt scrub, a manipedi, a sea cucumber soak, and a make-up and hair blow out, as well as a massage!”
It took some effort not to laugh. “Salt and cucumbers? Are you prepping me to be cooked?”
The woman's sour disposition slid back into place. “It's good for your skin. You could use it, honey.”
“I... think I'll take the manipedi and the massage, but lets skip the food stuff.”
Clearly, she didn't know what to do about being told to take features off. Hovering with her hand by the book, she moved her lips but said nothing.
“Ah,” a sweeter voice piped up. Glancing over, I saw a young woman with a blonde bob haircut. She waved, grabbing my free hand gently. “I'm Sarina, I'll be working with you. Come with me, please.”
With a final peek at the still scowling host, I nodded. “My pleasure.”
Sarina pulled me around a corner, the marble floors echoing as we strolled. Around us, various plants decorated the minimal atmosphere, as did a small river that had been cut into one side of the floor.
The place was gorgeous, I had to admit.
“Here,” Sarina said, offering me a robe and some flip-flops as we entered a darker hallway. “Go put these on behind that screen, there's lockers for your items.”
I took the robe, testing its soft material. I hadn't expected to change, but it made sense. “Alright, thanks.” I walked behind the tall painted screens. They created tiny cubicles in what had to be a giant changing room.
On one side, I spotted showers. For after they coat you in salt and seasoning, I mused. Putting the dress-box in a locker, I started to slide my clothes off. When I tugged at my trousers, I felt something in my back pocket.
Confused, I held up the letter. My heart did a twirl. I forgot about this! In all the mess with the detective, I'd blanked on putting away Silver's latest message so no one would see it.
Peeling the note open, I licked my lower lip eagerly.
Dear Pet,
Tonight, I have plans for you. Plans I know you'll love.
I can't wait to share them.
—S
I rubbed the paper, then folded it tight. A long, hot breath escaped me. Fuck, whatever he writes, it gets me way too excited. I wondered what he had planned.
I also wondered if I could handle it.
“Miss?” Sarina called out.
“One second!” I stumbled sideways, hurrying to get changed. I put the folded pile of discarded items away with the dress. Then, I tied the robe on securely. It felt amazing on my skin.
She was waiting for me where I'd left her, her hands folded carefully in the pretty floral top she had on. Sarina blended in perfectly with the pretty plants and marbled walls. When she spotted me, her face lit up in a dimpled smile. “You look great.”
Self-consciously, I held up my hands. “Hah, I'm the prettiest girl at the Shower Ball.”
I expected her to roll her eyes at my stupid joke, but she actually snorted. “Maybe you'll be crowned Queen, then you can wear the shower cap.”