Chapter 32
Gabriella
Trina takes another sip of her iced coffee, giving me a side-eye stare with her goofy grin.
Putting her coffee back in the cup holder and placing her hand back on the steering wheel, she asks, “So, what happened next? You both took off all your clothes, and Vic cleaned your carburetor, hmmm?” Waggling her eyebrows, she looks over at me and winks, triggering both of us into a fit of laughter.
“Oh my god, what are you, thirteen? Keep your eyes on the road, crazy.” I cover my face with my palm to hide my pink cheeks.
This is such a ridiculous conversation. After the laughter dies down a bit, I fill her in on the rest of last night.
“He just held me all night. It was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in years.
It felt so new but so familiar and comfortable. ”
“Maybe I’m missing something,” Trina says while turning into an unfamiliar parking lot. “You had this amazing historical story time, then a tantalizing striptease or whatever, then you guys just cuddled? Like cuddled nakie, right?” She sounds so hopeful and confused as she puts the car into park.
“I mean, I still had my panties on, and he still had his boxers. I know it sounds strange, but it was the closest our bodies have been in so long, Trina. It was amazing, like coming home and sleeping in your own bed after being gone for a year.”
Trina takes off her seatbelt and grabs my hand, “Well, girl, I’m happy to hear y’all are making progress.
I’m just saying if I’m lying in bed with a sexy lady-friend and we’re in our panties, cuddling is probably the last thing on my to-do list, ya know what I mean?
Bow-chicka-wow-wow.” And there goes the laughter again.
I swear, this woman makes me feel like a little kid sometimes.
I cut in as our giggles fade off, “Speaking of a lady-friend, what’s going on with that new trainer that started at your gym?” Trina’s smile immediately drops.
“Uck. Olivia? Don’t talk about her like she’s a love interest. She’s heinous.” I give a playful smirk at Trina’s comment. “This ain’t no enemies-to-lovers romance novel, bitch.”
“Oh?”
“Don’t make a surprise noise like that. You know she’s a complete cunt-muffin. She’s cocky and bossy, aggressive, and completely frustrating. She makes me want to pull my fucking hair out!”
“Hmm, sounds awful.” I say sarcastically, “You forgot to mention that she looks like a Tomboy X model.” My grin breaks free from my attempt to keep it in.
“I didn’t forget.” Trina’s voice becomes a little tight, signifying that she’s done with this conversation.
“Okay, okay,” I concede. “Uh, you want to tell me where we are? OR why we’re here?”
Trina immediately perks up, a big smile on her face, claps her hands, and bounces in her seat.
“Yes, girl! So, I wanted to help you do something to pamper yourself while also supporting this new endeavor with your old man.” My nerves start to wobble at her remark.
“We’re going to get your cootie-cat waxed!
” Her whole face lights up, expecting my reaction to mirror hers.
“I’m sorry, what?” My eyebrows hit my hairline, and I think I just heard my vagina scream.
Trina shuts the car off and starts to get out, “Come on bitch, I already paid for it.” She shuts the door and starts walking toward the salon, not a care in the world.
“Dear god, I feel like I’m going to regret this.” I reluctantly follow her, hanging on dearly to my pride while thoughts of showing my unkempt vajeen to a complete stranger swirl around in my head.
“Gabbi?” A beautiful, curvy young woman approaches from the back of the salon. She has long dark hair, rocking purple highlights, with big curls falling around her face. Her makeup is flawless with piercings in her lip, nostril, and septum. She’s quite stunning.
“Yes, that’s me.” I stand up and reach out my hand. My stomach turns at the idea of what I’m about to embark on.
“Hi, I’m Alea.” Her smile is bright and comforting. “I’m going to be taking care of you today.”
“Okay.” I’m glad she’s friendly, but still can’t seem to wrap my head around what the fuck I’m doing here.
“Sorry, Alea. She’s super nervous.” Trina stands next to me, bumping my shoulder with hers, but turns away when her phone starts to ring. “Shit, it’s work. I have to take this.”
Alea smiles and flicks her hand, “Oh girl, don’t be nervous. You’ll be fine.” There’s that comforting smile again. “Do you want Trina to come back with you?” At her question, I look over at Trina. She’s speaking quickly into her cell and starting to pace in the lobby.
“No, I should be good.” Alea smiles again and waves her hand for me to follow her. I take another quick look back at Trina pacing in the lobby, and she seems to be getting a bit frazzled. Eh, I’m sure she’ll be fine.
Alea walks me into the back room. It’s small but homey.
She has soft instrumental music playing, an oil diffuser pumping out what I think is lavender, and delicate lighting.
There are a few plants along the high windowsill and a few antique knick-knacks strategically placed around the room.
The set of shelves to the side is overflowing with organizers filled with makeup and waxing accessories.
There’s a massage table in the middle of the room with a fleece heating blanket on it. It all has a very relaxing vibe.
I step further into the room and turn to Alea when she starts giving me instructions.
“Okay, go ahead and take off everything from the waist down, lie on the table, and cover up with this towel. I just have to finish up with this other client, and I’ll be right back in.
Ten minutes tops.” I nod at her instructions, and she leaves the room.
Lying on the warm massage table, half-naked, I start to analyze everything that has happened over the last month.
I can’t believe Vic and I have gotten this far just by talking.
I feel so stupid for the gaping hole that’s sat in the middle of us for the last few years.
It makes me want to tell him everything.
I just don’t know if he can handle it. I don’t know if the progress we’ve made will survive a destructive truth like that.
Good Lord, I’m so jealous of people who can just sit and not become supercomputers in silence, overanalyzing every moment of their lives.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
My thoughts are interrupted by someone at the door. “Hey, girl.” Trina pops into the room with a weary look on her face. “I have bad news.”
“Oh no, you don’t!” Trina stops in her tracks.
“You don’t get to drag me in here and then leave.
I am half-naked under a fucking towel in a salon I’ve ever been to, about to be dehaired by a complete stranger!
You are not leaving me.” Trina lifts her hand to cover a smile, but I see it in her eyes. “Are you laughing at me?”
Trina starts to shake her head, then drops her hand and bursts out laughing. “Girl, you are freaking out over nothing. You’ll be fine.” As her giggles continue to bubble but fade, she starts backing toward the door.
“Katrina Johnson!” That’s right, I used her government name.
As she reaches for the door handle, she quickly turns, shooting her index finger in the air in an ah-ha motion. “You know what?” Oh god, what now? “I will just call Vic to come down.”
My body shoots up off the table, modesty be damned. “WHAT? Trina, NO!” She shuts the door behind her before I can even finish spewing my words. I start to reach for my clothes, but another knock comes. She changed her mind. Thank you, baby Jesus. I swing the door open, “Bitch, I can’t belie…”
“Hi!” Alea’s perfectly sculpted eyebrows shoot into her purple hairline.
“Oh fuck!” I run back to the table, grab the towel off the floor, and cover myself.
Alea laughs as she walks into the room, softly closing the door behind her. “Umm,” more giggles. “You okay?”
I can’t do anything but drop my face down into my hands, my skin heating with embarrassment. “Shit, sorry, Alea. Trina just dragged me down here and then left my ass.”
She steps up to the table and softly pats my arm.
“I understand if you want to cancel this.” I sit up straight, looking at her.
Really? Her welcoming gaze reflects a smidge of mischief.
“Buuuut, you already have the appointment, it’s already paid for, and you’re already here.
” She pauses and raises a brow. “I promise you won’t regret it. ”
Do I really want to do this? I mean, I would never have booked this for myself, but I mean, she’s right, I am already here. Fuck it. “Okay.” Alea’s face lights up with a smile.
“Great! Go ahead and lie back on the table, head toward the door.” I shift myself, following her directions.
Once I’m situated, Alea pulls a giant ring light up to the table, turns it on, and tilts it right over the area that’s about to be assaulted.
She then rolls a stool up to the table, her face directly next to and eye level with my hooh-hah.
No, this isn’t awkward at all. Hope I don’t smell.
What? Do other women worry about this stuff, or am I the only neurotic one that exists?
“Alright, let’s take this cover off. Can you put your feet together and butterfly your legs?
There we go.” Ugh, this is so fucking awkward.
“Okay, so just to let you know, there are a couple of really sensitive spots, especially down the middle. I’ll let you know when they’re coming. ”
Panic. Fully blown panic is climbing up my throat. What the fuck am I doing? Why did I trust Trina? This is stupid. I can’t fucking watch this. I squeeze my eyes shut and hear some rustling, then feel Alea’s hand on my thigh.
Wow, here we go. That wax is a little warm. Oh, a bit ticklish there. Okay, this shouldn’t be so bad, like eyebrow waxing, right? “Aaaagh! FUCK!” Holy shit, that is not like eyebrows.