Chapter 33
33
DORIE
I watched him pull on his shirt and was suddenly very tempted to take him up on his offer to say screw Eliza and Cullen. Last night had been unexpected. And amazing. I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous about all of this. What was this? What were we doing?
He turned to me. “You okay?”
“Yes,” I said quickly. “Just thinking about how late I am.”
He stepped closer, his hand cupping my cheek. “You sure that’s all?”
“I’m sure,” I lied. “Go. I need to get ready.”
He leaned in, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Yeah,” I whispered, my voice catching in my throat. “Tonight.”
He grinned, that cocky smirk that always made my heart race. “Don’t stress too much today. Eliza’s going to be fine.”
“I’ll try,” I said.
I watched him walk out.
Waking up in Kaisen’s arms had been amazing. The way he’d tried to coax me back into bed. His gentle kisses and soft touches. It had all been so perfect. Too perfect, maybe. But I didn’t have time to dwell on it.
I had exactly five minutes before I was supposed to meet Eliza and the girls at the spa. I had to shower, change, and get downstairs before Eliza started sending out a search party. With her angrily leading the charge.
There was no way she would ever forgive me if I missed her very long, drawn-out bachelorette party weekend. She wanted to do all the things. And I really did want to be there for her.
I tore off my robe and jumped into the shower. It was probably silly to be showering before the spa, but after everything last night, I needed to. My mind kept drifting back to Kaisen, to the way he’d looked at me, the way he’d asked me to come back to him tonight. It was all so new, so overwhelming, but in the best possible way. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt this wanted. And sexy.
I stepped out of the shower and quickly toweled off, throwing on the first swimsuit I could find in my suitcase. It was a simple black one-piece, nothing fancy, but as I looked at myself in the mirror, I felt a newfound sense of confidence. I didn’t see the dimples on my thighs. I didn’t focus on the pudge I could never get rid of.
Nope. I looked at a woman that had attracted a man like Kaisen Seely. He looked at me like I was the only person in the world that mattered.
And for the first time in a long time, I was starting to believe that I deserved to be happy. I could have the dream. Eliza wasn’t the only sister worthy of marrying a good man that spoiled her.
I put the robe on over my bathing suit, put on my sandals, and raced downstairs to the spa. Despite my best efforts, I was a few minutes lates.
When I walked in, I was greeted by the sound of laughter and the clinking of glasses. Eliza and the girls were already there, lounging by the indoor pool with mimosas in hand.
Eliza spotted me immediately and waved me over.
“There you are!” she said, her tone teasing but her eyes warm. “We were starting to think you’d bailed on us.”
“Sorry,” I said, setting my bag down and grabbing a mimosa from the tray. “I overslept.”
Eliza raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp and knowing. “Overslept, huh? You sure that’s all it was?”
I felt my cheeks heat up, but I played it cool, taking a sip of my drink. “Yes, Eliza. I overslept. It’s been a stressful few weeks at the bakery, okay? I needed the rest.”
She studied me for a moment, then smiled. “Well, whatever it is, I’m glad you’re here. You seem different. Happier, maybe.”
I shrugged, trying to brush it off. “I don’t know about that. I just got a good night’s sleep, that’s all.”
Eliza didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push it. “I’m just glad you’re here, Dorie. Really. I know this weekend is supposed to be about me, but I don’t know. I feel like we haven’t had a chance to really talk in a while.”
I looked at her with surprise. Eliza wasn’t usually one for heart-to-hearts. “What do you mean?” I asked.
I glanced over at the other women, who were deep into their own conversation. The last thing I wanted was Samantha to eavesdrop on our private talk. We didn’t get many opportunities like this. I was feeling selfish. I wanted this time with my sister. Just a few special moments.
Eliza leaned back in her chair and took a drink of her mimosa. “I mean you’ve always been there for me, Dorie. Always. Even when we were kids, you were the one looking out for me, making sure I was okay. And I know I don’t say it enough, but… I see it. I see how much you do for me, and I just want you to know that it hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
A lump formed in my throat. I had to blink back tears. “Eliza…”
“No, let me finish,” she said. “I know I can be difficult sometimes. Cullen tells me all the time. He tells me I’m very lucky to have you. You’ve always been my voice of reason. The one who can look at me and immediately know I’m struggling with something. And I know I don’t always show it, but I love you, Dorie. You’re my sister, and I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I couldn’t resist reaching out and taking her hand. It reminded me of our childhood. Our bedroom was small. We pushed our beds close together so all we had to do was reach out and hold hands. If Eliza had a nightmare, I was right there to comfort her.
“I love you too, Eliza. And you’re not difficult. You’re just… you. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
She smiled, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Good. Because you’re stuck with me, whether you like it or not.”
I laughed, the sound bubbling up from deep inside me. We sat there for a while, just talking and laughing, the tension from earlier melting away. It felt really good to just be with her like this. To remember that, no matter what, we had each other.
“Ladies, we’d like to invite you to move on to your scheduled treatments,” an attendant said.
We had all booked and paid for our treatments. It felt like a splurge, but I didn’t want to be the only one sitting out. I chose something relatively inexpensive, telling myself I deserved it.
I was planning on just getting a facial, but when I checked in, the receptionist handed me a schedule that made my jaw drop.
“The luxury package?” I said, staring at the paper in disbelief. “I didn’t book the luxury package.”
The receptionist smiled, her expression knowing. “It was already taken care of for you. You’re all set for your facial, massage, hair and scalp treatment, blowout, and mani/pedi. Enjoy!”
I stood there for a moment, stunned, before it hit me. This had Kaisen written all over it. I could practically hear his voice in my head, telling me to let someone else take care of me for once.
The other girls noticed my schedule and immediately started giving me grief. “Wow, Dorie, going all out, huh?” Samantha said, her tone teasing but with an edge of jealousy.
I shrugged, playing it cool. “Hey, I deserve this. I’m about to spend the next week making Eliza’s wedding cake. I need all the pampering I can get.”
They laughed, but I could tell they were still a little envious. Not that I blamed them—the luxury package was no joke.
“Enjoy it,” Eliza said. “You’re going to look and feel great, trust me. I don’t think you’ve ever gotten a massage.”
“I haven’t,” I said. “Never had the time. Or the desire to be honest.”
“Just relax. Let them work their magic.”
“I plan on it,” I replied.
“Have fun,” Samantha said.
I was pretty sure I picked up on a tone of bitterness. I ignored it and followed the woman wearing all black. I couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. I wasn’t used to being the center of attention, especially not like this.
I should have given it up and given my package to Eliza. She was the bride after all.
No .
This was mine.
This one little thing was for me, and I was going to take it.
“Go ahead and get changed in there,” the woman instructed. “Lie down on the table and Lottie will be right in.”
“Thank you.”
My phone buzzed in my bag. I pulled it out to see a text from Kaisen. Hope you’re enjoying my gift. Can’t wait to see you later. Let someone else take care of you for once.
I smiled, my heart swelling with warmth. You’re unbelievable, I texted back. But thank you. This is amazing.
His response came almost immediately. You’re welcome. You deserve it.
I tucked my phone back into my bag, a smile still on my lips. As I settled into the massage table, I let myself relax, truly relax, for the first time in what felt like forever. Kaisen was right—I deserved this. And for once, I was going to let myself enjoy it.
I was grateful the room was dimly lit. Soft music played in the background. It wasn’t really music, more like chimes and other sounds from instruments I had never seen or heard before. The scent of lavender and eucalyptus filled the air. Lottie entered with a warm smile, her hands already moving to adjust the table and the blankets draped over me. I felt my muscles begin to loosen even before she started.
“Just let go,” Lottie said softly, her voice soothing. “Breathe deeply. This time is for you.”
I closed my eyes and did as she instructed, focusing on the rhythm of my breath. Her hands were like actual magic, kneading away the tension in my shoulders, my back, my legs. It was like she could feel every knot, every ache that had been building for months. I hadn’t realized how much I’d been carrying until it started to melt away under her skilled touch.
I thought about Kaisen, about his unexpected thoughtfulness. He had a way of seeing me—really seeing me—in a way that no one else ever had. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. I wasn’t used to being seen. I was used to being the one who saw everyone else, who took care of everyone else. Kaisen came off as this obnoxious playboy, but it was just a ploy. He was a softie.
After the massage, I was given a facial that was gross at first, but once it was washed away, my face felt as smooth and soft as a newborn baby’s butt.
By the time I left the spa, I felt like a new person. My skin was glowing, my hair was perfect, and my nails were done in a soft, neutral shade that I loved. Nothing dramatic. Nothing that would interfere with my work at the bakery. I felt beautiful. Confident. And it was all thanks to Kaisen.
I was going to enjoy this feeling. For once, I wasn’t worrying about Eliza, or the bakery, or anything else. I was just happy.