Chapter 12
Twelve
Mila
I moaned as the lady put the hot towel on my face to get rid of the scrub she had just applied.
Trina, Chasity, and I had booked the three treatment spas from Groupon, and I was feeling light as a feather.
The facial was the last part of the three treatments.
When we arrived at the spa, Chasity grilled me about last night with Tremaine.
For both treatments, just keep pressing the issue.
So, I told them what happened on our way to the facial part of the treatment.
"Girl, are you insane? I would've invited that man upstairs so fast. How long has it been?" Trina asked.
Both crucified me for not taking it a step further with him.
However, I froze. I hadn't been with another man since Kyle.
I didn't even know if I could please Tremaine in that way.
Plus, I couldn't help but feel as if he wanted to add me to his roster, and right now, I wasn't trying to be anyone's fuck toy, but the ladies felt like I needed someone to give me some dick to take the stress away.
"Chas, stop giving me a hard time. I can't help that I froze up like that," I defended.
"I'm not, but I mean, this man was massaging your stinky, sweaty feet, and you thought he only just wanted to fuck. Trey is feeling you, Mila," Chasity added.
"I agree. Ain't no man out here rubbing feet because he wants some ass. Especially a man like Trey, who can have any woman he wants," Tina chimed in.
I sighed. "Y'all don't get it. Trey is my boss. He knows my baggage, and he's seeing me at my worst. That man is not interested in anything but dropping dick off in me and acting like nothing happens."
"If you say so, but even if that is the case, let him break you off with some dick. You need it," Chasity insisted.
Trina laughed. "I swear, a dick a day keeps the stress away."
The two of them laughed, and even though I tried my hardest not to, I couldn't contain my laugh.
I could only imagine what the massage therapists were thinking about our conversation, but we didn't care.
It was girl talk, and I needed it. After five minutes, we're headed to the locker rooms to change back into our clothes.
My stomach growled as I thought about all the food that I planned to eat at whichever restaurant we decided on.
"Mila, can I ask you a question?" Trina asked.
I slid my shirt over my head and looked over at her. "What's up?"
"If... and if Trey was feeling you, would you not want to see what becomes of it? I mean, everybody ain't Kyle."
Chasity scoffed. "Ain't nobody like his ass."
I shrugged. "I don't know. I mean, Trey is a great guy, but again, I wouldn't want to ruin a great guy with all the shit I've got going on. Plus, I don't even think he sees me in that way."
"I doubt that. With the way Trey has gone above and beyond for you, I don't see how he wouldn't have feelings for you," Trina said.
"I agree with Trina," Chasity added.
I was over the Tremaine conversation. I didn't want to look at the situation as bigger than what it was and get my heart into something for being delulu.
Tremaine had already explained he was a stand-up guy, and he would do anything for anybody in need.
That is exactly how I planned to take it.
He saw I was in need and wanted to help.
"Whatever. Come on and let's go pay. I'm starving and done talking about Trey."
We made it to the front desk, and Trina went first to pay for her spa treatment. Then Chasity paid, and my turn was next. I dug in my wallet, counting out the cash I had made last night. The receptionist looked at me and smiled.
"Mila Cruz?"
"Yep, that's me."
"Your experience was already paid for."
I looked over at Chasity and Trina and smiled. "Aw! I thought I told y'all not to pay for me."
"I didn't. After you told me you didn't want to be looked at like a charity case, I decided not to," Trina answered.
"Same. I was respecting your boundaries." Chasity shrugged.
I looked back at the receptionist, this time confused.
"Are you sure? Did I pay prior to coming, or was my card charged when we booked?"
She shook her head. "No, it was paid for over the phone, and the caller also added these to the experience."
She reached behind her and pulled a bouquet of red roses. My mouth fell open as I looked at the red roses being placed in my arms. The red was vibrant against the green stems and white wrapping paper.
"D-did someone leave a name? I'm not sure who would've done something like this for me. Maybe you got the wrong Mila."
The receptionist shook her head. "Nope. It's you. The person didn't give me much info, but he asked that I write a message in the card. Hopefully, that helps."
My eyes bounced from the roses to the receptionist, over to Chasity and Trina, and then back to the roses. There was a white card stuck in the middle of the bouquet. I slowly removed the card and flipped it over.
I hope the massage you received today is better than mine from last night.
-TH
My heart leaped out of my chest as I repeatedly read the card. I couldn't believe it. I looked over at Trina and Chasity. My face must've shown my surprised reaction.
Chasity moved quickly over toward me with Trina in tow. "Who is it from, Mila?"
I couldn't form a sentence. I passed them the card and let them read it. I knew when they both finished reading because their eyes darted to me.
"Trey sent these?" Chasity shouted. "Oh, my goodness! I told you he was feeling you! Call him right now and tell him thank you!" she demanded.
Trina smiled. "Yeah, Chas is right, best friend. I think Trey is smitten with you."
"Really?"
She nodded. "Don't act like you're not a catch, baby. You're the catch and more."
"Right! Now call that man and tell him thank you and you're coming to sit on his face after lunch!" Chasity shouted.
The three of us burst out laughing until the receptionist asked us to lower our tone. We walked out of the spa, trying our hardest not to stop laughing so loudly.
"Y'all are crazy!" I remarked, wiping at my tears.
"No! You are if you don't call that man and tell him thank you. Look, we'll go to the car, and you call him," Trina said.
Before I could respond, the two of them walked away, leaving me standing there. I looked at the flowers and smiled, then pulled out my phone to call Tremaine. The phone rang twice before he answered.
"Hey, Mila." His voice sent a chill up and down my spine.
"H-hi Trey," I stammered.
"How you doing?"
A smile spread across my face. For the first time in a long time, I felt I could honestly answer this question.
"I'm feeling good. Today was a great day."
"I love to hear that. You deserve it."
Another chill shot up my back.
"Um... the reason I called is that I wanted to say thank you for treating me to the spa treatment today. It's very unexpected but appreciated, and the flowers are just as beautiful."
"You're welcome, Mila. Anytime."
The line went silent. I cleared my voice and spoke up again. "Let me make this up to you. All this stuff you are doing for me, and I haven't been able to return the favor yet."
"That's the thing. It's no favor to return. I'm doing all this because I want to and not looking for anything in return."
"But Trey," I whined, "this isn't fair. At least let me do something."
He sighed. "Mila, you don't have to."
"But I am, and I don't care what you say. Eventually, you're going to get tired of doing things for me."
He chuckled. "Never."
My heart sped up. From Trey's tone, I could tell he was serious. I cleared my voice to knock off the jolt of feelings he had rushing through me.
"What are you doing right now?" I asked.
"Nothing at home, going over some stuff. What's up?"
"Do you have a little time in your day for me to return the favor?"
I heard him chuckle. "Mila."
Before he could interject, I interrupted him. "Please, Trey, let me return the favor."
"What time do you want to meet?"
I contained my squeal and played it cool.
"I'll text you the details."
He chuckled. "Alright, Mila. See you soon."
"See you soon, Trey."
I waited 'til I heard the beep on the other end. I finally let out my squeal and ran over toward Trina's car. Trina and Chasity were already inside when I hopped in the back seat.
"What'd he say?" Chasity asked, turning around in her seat.
"I'm going to pass on lunch. I need to get home if that's okay."
Trina raised an eyebrow. "Girl...what are you about to get into?"
"Nothing, I'm just returning the favor."
Chasity smirked. "I bet you are."
"Whatever," I replied, laughing. "Trina, if you don't mind, can you swing me by the store?"
A few hours later, I pulled out the cornbread I had cooked in the cast-iron skillet.
I was thankful that I had started the pot roast in the crock pot early in the morning.
I had finished the mashed potatoes and vegetable medley just as the cornbread finished.
I laid the plates out on the table and placed the cheap bottle of wine on the table.
I double-checked everything to ensure it was set up perfectly.
I continued to fidget with the plates and forks until the doorbell rang.
I took a few seconds, then a deep breath, and walked toward the door.
Before I could take him in, his cologne invaded my nose.
I had invited Tremaine over for an early dinner. I felt it was the least I could do after everything he had done for me.
"Hey, Trey. Come on in," I said, stepping to the side to let him in.
"Hey, Mila. You looked relaxed. You enjoyed the spa, I see."
I nodded. "I didn't realize how much I needed that."
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," he added.
We stared at each other for a moment. Once I realized I was getting lost in his trance, I darted my eyes away from Tremaine's. It was something about this man that had me fighting internally to stop from jumping him and letting him have his way with my body.