Chapter 12 #3
My immediate response was the loaded tots, but I really was trying to create a balance in my diet. Yes, I was still slightly underweight, but no, I didn’t want to gain weight the unhealthy way. The burger was enough of a splurge.
“What sounds better to you?” I inquired, picking up the menus we really didn’t need.
He smirked at me. “What do you think you are more likely to pick at?”
Truthfully all of the above even if the tots sounded the best. “I’m not going to pick at your food.” I lied between my teeth.
He chuckled knowingly before stating. “I’ll take the french fries.”
I must have made a face because he gave me another crooked little grin before saying. “Scratch that. I’ll take loaded tots with sour cream and ranch.”
I tried to school my features, but it was apparent that I didn’t do a very good job of it because he laughed again. “Guess my second option was the better of the two.”
“I’m trying to watch my weight,” I huffed.
Camilla eyed me with another frown. “You must be carrying twins.”
I rolled my eyes at her apparent dig. The audacity of some women.
How dare she fat shame me as if most pregnant women didn’t struggle with weight gain.
Little did she know, I didn’t care. I felt ungainly and disproportionate most days, but at the end of the day the miracle my body was going through calmed all my qualms. I decided to take the high road and smiled sweetly. “As a matter of fact, I am.”
She seemed annoyed by my response but before any more vitriol could spill from her lips Jaxson cut her off. “And she’s just as beautiful as she was before I knocked her up. I can’t wait for her to gain more weight. Can we get those waters? I’m really thirsty.”
Kendra, the other server, sashayed by. “Check out the hotties at my table. I’m going to get one of—if not all of their numbers—before they leave today.”
I had to hold my hand up to my mouth to keep myself from laughing. Good for her that she had that much confidence in her looks, but boo for her that it wasn’t going to happen. I refused to allow these overly flirty women ruin my lunch date.
I reminded them of our presence. “Can we get those waters, please?”
Of course, Jaxson couldn’t resist provoking them.
“I’m pretty sure they’re gay. I saw the shortest one kissing the big guy out front and I work with the guy with the beard.
He’s been off women since he found his ex-wife screwing his best friend.
Pretty sure he’s been hooking up with the blue-eyed man for the last few weeks. ”
I couldn’t believe Jaxson was implying that Noah and Remy were a couple and Jace and Lincoln were hooking up. Lincoln’s disguise for the day was a beard and brown colored contacts. The oversized flannel and jeans made him look like a lumberjack and made me inwardly laugh.
I inhaled sharply surprised by Jaxson’s remark. I made a weird squeaking sound that could have been a laugh or a gasp. Unfortunately, it made me choke for real and soon it felt like I needed that water—for real.
It seemed to be all Camilla needed to rush off to get me my water, throwing a look over her shoulder at the guys. It was clear her interests may have transferred over to my other men. Jaxson looked concerned by my hacking, but at the same time amused by his antics.
“Maybe they’re bi and wouldn’t mind another person in their bedroom,” Kendra said with an unaffected shrug walking to the back of the counter as well.
Soon Camilla was back with our waters, and I greedily drank it down not caring that she forgot my lemon. Somehow, I believed it was intentional on her part, especially considering she had brought some for Jaxson although he never even asked for it.
“You’re shakes and food should be out shortly,” she brusquely stated before walking toward my other guys.
I saw the extra sway in her hips and decided to see if Noah would play in our reindeer games. I silently talked to him, ensuring I linked Jaxson to my plan.
“Noah, pretend to kiss Remy, please!” I begged.
Noah’s head whipped up and he gave me a confused look before he noticed Camilla heading his way.
Without hesitation he turned and grasped Remy’s face.
The look of horror and shock on Remy’s face as Noah’s planted a big, wet kiss on the corner of his mouth was enough for Jaxson and me to nearly shout in laughter.
I didn’t even care that several patrons looked over at us in surprise.
η
“Where are we going?” I eagerly asked Jaxson as he headed in the opposite direction of our vehicles.
I was pleasantly full but not disgustingly so.
I had intentionally only eaten half of my burger, most of my salad, and drank half of my milkshake.
It was practice of great restraint only to steal a few of Jaxson’s loaded tater tots.
They were amazing and I could have easily polished the entire thing off, but again I was trying to practice self-discipline more and more.
The kids had enough weird cravings without me adding things to it when they weren’t dictating what I ate.
“It’s a surprise,” he said with a mischievous smile.
“Really?” I giddily inquired.
He nodded and led me toward a place that looked like somebody’s home. It wasn’t until we drew closer that I saw the sign hanging over the front door. It said Sophia’s Day Spa.
I turned wide eager eyes up to him. “A spa?”
He grinned. “I booked us for facials, a pedicure, manicure, and couples massage.”
Inwardly I jumped up and down in excitement. I had regretted turning down Pop’s offer of a spa day with the women, but I still wouldn’t have missed out on the mission. I wanted to set up another day to go with the women but most days I felt like my schedule was so full I could barely breathe.
“The women are going to be so mad we left them out,” I demurred.
He opened the door for me. “We’ll set up an appointment for all of ya’ll on the way out, but from the sounds of it you girls are better off booking with one of the spas in the city.
This place is on the smaller side and doesn’t have a lot of staff.
They can probably do you guys in groups but not all of you at once. ”
My eyes eagerly soaked in the serene atmosphere we had stepped into.
Upon entering, I noticed a welcome desk off to the right.
There was a water feature complete with a fountain and koi fish swimming around it nearly dominating the entire space.
The sun was shining through the sky lights above us, bathing the whole area in light.
I counted a total of eight closed doors while new age music softly played over hidden speakers.
In short, the space was tranquil and beautiful.
I realized the others wouldn’t be able to hide in plain sight here. “What did the guys say about this part of your plans?”
He rolled his eyes. “They wanted me to cancel it, but Troy looked up the specs for the building so they’re going to station themselves near the rear exit, front entrance, and across the street at Books and Brew.”
I turned to verify his words when one of the doors opened. A petite older lady with white hair styled in a pixie cut, golden brown eyes, and a wide inviting smile greeted us. We exchanged pleasantries and Jaxson informed her of our appointment.
The woman confirmed our appointment and led us to one of the closed doors.
She opened the door wide. “Please remove your clothing although underwear is optional. There are clean robes hanging on that wall and there are flip flops in here.” She opened a closet with plastic drawers labeled with various sizes.
“Feel free to keep these. Once you’re ready you can go into the other room.
” She opened another door and pointed to the wall directly in front of her.
“Flip the switch up and it will let your masseuses know you’re ready.
They will give you an additional five minutes to remove your robes.
The table with the cut out in the middle of it is yours, sweetie. ”
Suddenly, I felt a little apprehensive. The concept of a massage sounded amazing, but stripping down to my underwear in front of a stranger sounded intimidating.
Plus, did I really want someone I didn’t know touching me.
It took me a moment too long to realize the nice older lady was waiting for a response from me.
I tried to give her a smile. “Thanks.”
She murmured some additional comments to Jaxson before leaving. The moment she left Jaxson turned to me. “Are you okay?” He asked in concern.
I turned to him wide-eyed. “I have to get naked and let someone I don’t know touch me.”
He attempted to cover his mouth to hide his smile, but his words were reassuring. “Once we get under the covers and they start giving us our massages you’ll forget all that stuff.”
I mulled over his words and then reminded myself that millions of people got massages.
This was a new experience, and I had to learn to embrace it.
If I didn’t like it or if it made me too uncomfortable, I would know better for the future.
Plus, I was with my man, and he was clearly excited about the idea.
It was better to have him by my side for the first time than the girls.
I looked at him dubiously and reluctantly began to take off my clothing. “Do I leave my bra on?”
Jaxson had no misgivings because he disrobed down to his boxer briefs with ease. “Nah. Most females don’t.”
I narrowed my gaze at him. “How would you know?”
“I overheard Anna and Dawn talking about it. Anna said she gets completely naked, while Dawn said she always left just her underwear on.” He chuckled.
I made the decision to take off my bra, but my underwear was remaining in place. “Remind me to schedule an appointment for me and the girls if I end up liking this.”