Page 62 of Return To You

“Just sayin’, Fabrizio. Nothin’ wrong wid’at,” Shanice says.

Claudia searches through a handbag she keeps in a drawer and hands me car keys. Then she scribbles an address on a sticky note. “There’s been a mix-up in a delivery that we absolutely need. They sent it to another spa in another town, three counties over. Everyone is tied up all day, same thing each day. Now, we could either have them send it back and—”

“I got it. What car is that?”

“M-hm,” Shanice voices.

Claudia looks at me top to bottom. “The red and white Mini coop. Hope you can fit in.”

I scratch my head. Look outside. “How large is the delivery?”

Fabrizio joins me at the window. “Oh dear.”

“Pardon?” Claudia asks.

“The stuff I’m supposed to bring back. Will there be enough space in the trunk? The back seat?”

“Oh my.”

“I can see if there’s a spare truck at the farm,” I offer.

Claudia glances nervously at her watch, then down the hall. Then she opens the drawer again and hands me another set of keys.

“Just take Grace’s car. You know which one it is, right?”

The 2010 forest green Wrangler with flowery fabric wrapped on the seats. “Uh-huh.” I give her her keys back. “Alrighty.” I set the mug on the reception desk. “Will you give her this?”

“You sure you don’t want to give it to her yourself?”

“I want her to have it when she comes out. Of her… whatever she’s doing.”

Shanice snaps the mug up. “I’ll make sure she gets it. You go now.”

“That’s a nice thought, Ethan,” Claudia says. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.”

“Oooph,” Fabrizio utters, his eyebrows shooting up in a comical expression of doubt.

I grunt and leave. I’m with Fabrizio on this one.

seventeen

Grace

My client, Cheryl, snores lightly as I run the gua sha stone right below her cheekbones, then smooth her oval, striving to sculpt her soft tissues into the youthful shape she seeks. Her skin is dry, soaking up all the product I apply. After her service, I’ll have to remind her that a once-in-a-while facial can’t replace daily care. Even a basic moisturizer would be better than nothing.

My thoughts drift to finding a new location. Nothing will replace the easy luxury this century-old house exudes, and that’s reason to focus on growing my business. People should come to the spa for an overall experience.

No matter what happens here, I will continue interviewing new aestheticians so I can keep focus on growing my massage business. I’ll look for a place where I can have a large gathering area for bachelorettes or GNO’s. Maybe I could apply for a liquor license and serve cocktails? Now that’s an idea. I’ll ask Justin how that works. He’ll know. He created the pub in town. Maybe I’ll risk going to Lazy’s tonight?

Or maybe not.

What if Ethan goes there? And he’s bound to, right? He’s his brother.

God I’m so angry at him. What he did this morning? How dare he?

“Ow!” Cheryl says.

“Oopsie, sorry there.”

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