Chapter 22 #2
Water trickles in the background, melding into the soothing instrumental music softly lingering in the air. I’m all alone currently in this serene, plush waiting area that has clearly been designed for peak relaxation. It’s a job well done too.
Because after the facial, body scrub, and massage, this room is doing its best to lull me into a nap.
It’s more than fair to say that I’m in a trance—hypnotized by pampering and tranquility—more than ready to slip away on a cloud.
The only thing keeping me from doing so as I wait for the mani/pedi I still have left on my schedule is this book.
Not just any book—a romance novel. Gifted to me by a seriously sexy man, who told me it was one of his favorites. Complete with notes in the margins.
Seriously, if that wasn’t a move straight out of a novel or a made-for-TV movie…well, it should be. Tack on sending me off for a spa day, complete with treatments I never would have scheduled for myself, and this is more than enough to make me tumble ass over teakettle for the man.
Oh, and did I mention he’s babysitting? And cleaning the house. Well, at least I think he’s cleaning the house. I hope he is.
No, he is. I’m trusting that he is. He asked me if I trust him—and I do. Wholeheartedly. Enough to leave him alone with Otis for the day. He’s the first person other than my parents to ever have that honor. And I wouldn’t have agreed if I didn’t trust that everything would be okay.
No, more than okay. Jace and Otis are no doubt having the time of their lives together.
Having an epic afternoon. I hope that epicness, at least in part, includes some dusting.
Maybe even giving the bathrooms a once-over.
Leave it to Jace to figure out a way to make that fun.
Knowing him, he probably attached dust pads to Otis’s feet and is letting him slide across the floors.
Letting out a long, even breath, I settle into the couch even more, repositioning my outstretched legs, secretly loving the ability to lounge like this. A whole couch to myself. Without anyone here to interrupt me.
Nothing but me and this story.
I giggle, my audible disruption filling the near silent room.
I look up, my gaze immediately landing on the only other person in here—an older woman sitting in an overstuffed armchair, head leaned back with her eyes closed—hoping I didn’t make too much of a disturbance.
Her lack of reaction to me tells me I’m in the clear, so I return my focus to the story, trying to focus on the author’s words rather than the ones scribbled in the margins in green pen.
There’s no helping it though. The more I read, the more enamored I become with this story and these characters, loving that I get to be a secret voyeur to watching them go from high school enemies to adults in love.
Reminds me of another pair that I know. Although, I think Glenna is being a little hard on Cash here.
Then again, maybe I don’t have room to talk. Pretty sure I told Jace to go to hell more than once too.
Another giggle absently escapes me, my body and mind reacting in sync to one of the on-page stupid-boy antics of our hero. Silly Cash, why haven’t you learned yet?
The green scribble right in the very bottom margin steals my attention, stopping me from turning the page.
So, who ranks higher on the jackass meter right now…me or Cash?
An all out laugh bursts out of my chest, my hand flying over my mouth trying to disguise it. But there’s simply no hiding that.
“Must be some book,” the older lady comments, her eyes still closed, body still reclined.
“I’m enjoying it. It’s been a long time since I got to just sit and read,” I reply, giving this woman way more information than she asked for. “And my…”
And what? Was I really about to say what I think I was? Yeah…my brain went there. Automatically. So I’m going to finish my thought. Out loud.
“My boyfriend gave it to me. It’s one he really enjoyed, so he left little notes in the margins.”
The older lady sits up, her eyes now wide with interest, leaning forward and resting her forearms on her thighs.
“Now that’s some boyfriend.”
Boyfriend…
I sigh, not bothering to fight the smile taking over. Warmth spreads through me, swirling and dancing along with the Enya wannabe singing in the background. This lady just hit the nail on the head—Jace is indeed quite the boyfriend.
“It’s still early days, but…” I trail off, not quite sure how to finish.
But I’m already head over heels…
“Early days or not, that kind of gift is special. That took time, and balls, to hand you a piece of himself like that. Take it from an old lady who knows.” She sits up again, meeting my gaze. “I hope you’ll return the gesture.”
With nothing more than a nod, she closes her eyes and leans back again, ending our conversation with her wisdom.
I nod—not that she can see me—absorbing her advice. Jace has shown me more than once that he shows up. He puts his money where his mouth is. Which means I can trust him when he tells me he’s in this. That he wants me, Otis, and our messy little life.
I want him too.
So I need to let him in.