Chapter 15
I glance up from my phone, and three pairs of eyes are staring back at me.
“Oh, we are just chatting about work stuff.”
They nod their heads. Faith says, “Well, has he answered your next question?”
“Not yet.”
Dane:
I’m getting in my hot tub. It’s been a long day. You are more than welcome to join me…
I giggle to myself while an audience watches me.
“You can’t keep it all to yourself.” Addison leaves her seat to read over my shoulder. I share everything, so it doesn’t matter.
She’s hitting my shoulder as she says, “He’s inviting you over to soak in his hot tub. Um…you’re going right?”
My head swings so fast I think it might fly off my neck. “Are you crazy?”
“Apparently, I am, since I would absolutely run to my car and drive to his house with an invitation like that.” Addison smiles at me.
“You’re a bad influence on me.”
Her head tilts back, and she belly laughs so loud it echoes through the living room. She can’t stop herself.
Faith says, “You know you’re usually a bad influence on all of us, right?”
I grin because she’s right. “I can’t just go over there. A date is a good next step, not ending up in his hot tub where we won’t be able to keep our hands off each other.”
Lane stands up from her seat and leans her body against mine.
“You’re no fun.” She says it in a voice that sounds familiar—mine.
It’s my favorite line to my friends. I’m usually the one taking risks and going after what I want.
But this…the intense electricity in my body when he touches me—it’s different from what I’ve ever felt with anyone else.
Interrupted by my phone.
Dane:
Are you considering my invitation to come over?
Kendall:
Not tonight…but I may not be able to resist if you invite me tomorrow.
The heat rises up my neck, and my cheeks are on fire.
Addison leans over, trying to read my text messages. “Share.”
I do. And I’m wishing the date were tonight instead.
All our bowls are empty; one by one, we get up, rinse, and put them into the dishwasher. Lane walks toward the living room. With our feet scuffing along her hardwood floors, we follow her, and I plop myself down.
I glance at Lane, trying to take the pressure off the text messages and tomorrow night’s date. “What’s it like now that school is out?”
“This past week, I was outside in my chair reading. I’ve also taken a few walks.”
“Nice way to relax and decompress from the school year,” says Faith.
“Anything else you have?” I air quote, “going on.”
“Yes…Kendall, I do.” Lane side-eyes me.
I jump in and say, “And…”
“Oh my, you are relentless.”
“I know.”
“Blake came over this afternoon to discuss my kitchen renovation. I’ve been talking about this for a while, and when Kendall spoke so highly of him, I reached out.”
“Oh…” Faith says as she moves her elbows onto her thighs and leans into Lane.
We are all anxious for Lane to continue, but we know better. Silence is the killer for her.
“He’s just renovating my kitchen. What are all these looks for?” She points at each of us.
“Hot contractor to the rescue,” I say with a smirk.
“OMG, yes, he looks hot as hell in those jeans that fit perfectly around his ass and hug his thighs. And I may be looking forward to my air conditioning breaking so he has to take his shirt off,” she giggles at herself.
“I knew it! You find him attractive.”
She shakes her head. “Who wouldn’t? But that’s not why he’s here. New subject. You’ve been busy preparing for the openings. Once it's all over, we need to finalize our girls’ trip for this winter.”
“Fine. We’ll let it go for now, but we want weekly updates of your kitchen renovation.
” I wiggle my eyebrows dramatically. “Well, my focus this week is getting everything situated, so leading up to the openings, there are only final touches that need to happen…I’m also hoping for less stress.
” I’m on the edge of my seat. The energy rolling through my body for the opening is contagious.
“Oh, and I was interviewed by a couple of newspapers after sending in the press release a few weeks ago. Those will run the week of the grand opening.”
“I can’t wait to be there for the soft opening. Are you still having mini-sessions for all the spa services?” Faith asks.
“Not all of them, but we will have chair massages, and the Himalayan salt rooms will all be open for ten-minute mini-sessions. Then we’ll have our local artisan store items for sale, along with unlimited time in the relaxation/meditation rooms. The soft opening will help me market the spa with some testimonials and professional pictures of the space and event. ”
My energy is buzzing from all the excitement that will lead up to the big day. I decided one day this was what I wanted to do, and it’s all coming to fruition.
“That all sounds perfect, Kendall,” Addison says, leaning forward. “What can we help with?”
“Right now, it’s all under control. But if you want to come an hour earlier, just in case. You know there are always those last-minute things I’ll need help with.”
I probably have a few hours of decorating and cleaning to do.
Thankfully, I love doing it. Well, not so much the cleaning, which is why I have a company coming in on Thursday night to do a deep cleaning of the entire salon and spa.
There was a lot of dust from the construction, and this will clean up any lingering dust.
Faith looks around the room at everyone to confirm and says, “We can all be there ready to help with whatever you need.”
I stand and give my friends a hug. “Thank you! I’m so fortunate to have you guys in my life. The ice cream and girl time were just what I needed tonight, but I’m exhausted.”