30. Lacy
30
LACY
“ O h, we should totally get that,” Victoria says to me as I try on a new little black dress. We have shopped and eaten our way around the city this week, all the while partaking in one spa treatment per day and making notes for the development of our own Whiteman’s spa back at the distillery.
“Agree. It will match those hot black heels you got yesterday,” Victoria’s friend, Fiona, says from where she is sitting, bags at her feet from her own shopping today.
“It’s a bit out of my price range…”
All week us girls have had a blast, and it’s the most fun I’ve ever had. I’ve spoken to Mom every day and she’s thriving. Apparently, Jennifer joined her at the knitting club in town, and the two of them have not only been knitting a new blanket for next winter, but Mom is now even more embedded into the community, meeting new ladies and old ones, bringing her more support than she’s ever had.
“Not true. It’s on sale,” Victoria says, pulling at a sign in the store that says thirty percent off everything. I smile. I’ve indulged more than I ordinarily would this week. On everything. I have a few new outfits, feel like I have put on ten pounds due to the restaurants we’ve been eating at thanks to the work expense account, and Fiona and Victoria took me to a moody cocktail bar last night. Fiona met some man here a while ago and was hopeful she might see him again. He didn’t turn up, but we did make our way through a pretty extensive cocktail list, the slight thump in my head a reminder of our time.
“Okay, done. This is the last thing I’m buying, though. I have officially gone over budget,” I tell them, my small savings taking a little hit, but nothing that I can’t make up for once I get back to work.
“I think your new doctor will like seeing you in this,” Fiona teases, and I smile as I look at my reflection. The dress fits like a glove, but that isn’t what catches my eye. It’s my face. The dark circles that were always around my eyes have lessened. My skin looks brighter, probably due to the facials and massages. My shoulders are lower and pushed back, posture tall, my body appearing more confident.
“From what I’ve heard, I think Hudson would prefer it off her body…” Victoria says under her breath, just loud enough for us to hear. I look at her quickly as Fiona giggles, and they seem like they have sort of private joke happening.
“Ahhh, anything you care to share?” I ask because, clearly, she knows something.
“Nope. Nothing. But we do need to get going. We have that other spa at three.”
“Oh my God, I love my job…” I murmur to Victoria as the elevator takes us up to Tanner's penthouse after an afternoon of total bliss. The massage today covered me in warm oil, and I’m so relaxed I can barely keep my eyes open.
“Me too,” she says as the elevator opens, and we walk inside.
“What’s going on?” I balk, seeing all our bags packed and waiting near the door.
“Change of plans.” Turning to look at me, she gives me a grin that looks mischievous and my fight-or-flight immediately kicks in.
“Victoria?” I ask, looking around, seeing nothing else amiss.
“Well, I’m going home,” she says abruptly.
“What?” I ask, shocked. We only have a few more days, but I am surprised she is leaving early.
“I need to get back. Something has come up with Griffin and the new project we are working on, so my week of luxury has come to an end. I’m flying back in the jet today.”
I pout because we’re having so much fun. But like me, she works hard, and she loves her job in interiors, and if Griffin needs her on a project, she needs to be there.
“But what about our treatment tomorrow?” I ask, assuming I’ll need to go it alone.
“Well… Connor is coming. He’s going to do it while you have the last few days free of work to relax,” she says, and I almost choke .
“Connor?” I almost shriek because that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.
“Tanner made him. And your ride is waiting downstairs,” she says coyly.
“Ride?” I ask, confused. My mind is still drifting off somewhere in relaxation land and not connecting properly.
“Just trust me.” She steps toward me, hugging me quickly before she brushes down my hair and fixes my top. “Let’s go,” she says, grabbing her suitcase and wheeling it back into the elevator.
“For the record, I have no idea what is happening right now. My mind is firmly in the Bahamas with that coconut oil massage we just had,” I say to her, just following her lead as I grab my bag, and we go back down. I assume I’ll stay at a hotel somewhere. Although I do miss Hudson. These few days away have been amazing, but I’m longing to see Hudson, talk to him, touch him.
“It was a good massage,” Victoria says as we watch our elevator descend.
“If you are taking the jet today, do I need to book my own flight home?” I ask as the elevator opens to the lobby, and we step out onto the polished marble.
“Ahhh, no… that’s kinda taken care of…” she says, and I frown, before I look up and almost skid to a stop.
“Hudson?” I gasp at the man who is currently standing before us.
“Aaaaaand that is me out. Have a fun few days, you two,” Victoria teases as she continues walking out of the lobby, into her waiting town car, giving me no chance to challenge her.
“What is going on?” I ask, looking back at Hudson.
“Well. Victoria had to head back, and I have a few days off after almost a week of night shifts kicking my ass, so I thought I would meet you here in the city, take you on another date.” Walking toward me slowly, he looks at me expectantly.
“A date?” I ask, watching him, my mind finally connecting, and then I feel the oil in between my toes and almost scrunch my nose at how gross I must look right now. I’m going to kill Victoria. “But where will I stay?”
“With me. I’ve taken care of it,” he says, stepping toward me and grabbing my hand, our toes almost touching. There are those words again. Those magical words that cloak me in a softness I have never experienced before. I look up at him, and he brings his fingers to my jaw, running them across my skin softly.
“You’ve taken care of it?” I confirm.
“I’ve taken care of it.” He nods, a small smile dancing on his lips. I take in a breath, smell his cologne, and nod along with him.
“Okay,” I breathe out, before he bends, his lips touching mine, and I melt, happy to be in his hold again.