Page 37 of Everlasting Love

“This is our changing area. Lockers are provided to store your valuables and clothes. Robes are provided for your use. Please remove all clothing and use the disposable underwear provided. Your first treatment for the day is the float tank, so you won’t want to get your underwear wet. Please enjoy the fresh fruit and vegetable platter and natural mineral water in the lounge off to the side. Lauren will be by to collect you both in a short while.”

She leaves us in the changing area, and I’m pretty sure that neither of us really knows what to do right now. I mean we know we need to change, but this whole place seems unreal and oh-so serene. I’m used to serenity when I head out hiking and takingmy photos of the natural world, but this is otherworldly. “I feel like a celebrity,” I whisper, doing my best not to disturb the tranquility.

“Me too,” Cass murmurs with a chuckle. “I guess we should get changed. Who knows how long ashort whilewill be and we don’t want to be late.”

Once we’re changed we meet in the lounge and grab a small plate of food each. We chat about our girls and how excited they are to dress up tomorrow. After about twenty minutes, Lauren collects us and guides us to separate rooms containing a float tank that looks more like a spaceship. I climb in, close myself inside, and amazingly float in the warm shallow water without any effort. Calming music plays and the lights dim low. Closing my eyes, I empty my mind and allow myself the opportunity to relax. Tomorrow will probably be crazy busy, and even though I love Jasmine beyond words, it’s nice to lay in peace. Between her and work and life in general, especially with everything that needed to be done for the divorce to be finalized as well as terminating Allen’s parental rights, I’m exhausted—mentally, emotionally, and physically.

I shut my thoughts down one by one but my mind snags on something Cass said—you guys definitely gave off couple vibes to anyone watching. As much as I swore off men when everything went to shit with Allen, I wouldn’t be opposed to something happening with Shane. Getting to know him over the past two years, I’ve learned he’s definitely not selfish (which I would like to think also translates to the bedroom), he’s thoughtful, considerate, kind, and reliable. If he says he’ll do something, he gets it done. And his hands. God, they’re so big and strong. So capable, yet gentle. My core tightens at the thought of his hands on me in an intimate moment. I push my head beneath the water to wash away the thoughts.Stop, Violet.

Would I like to move our relationship out of the friend zone? Absolutely.

Is it ever likely to happen? I don’t think so.

He’s exceptionally skilled at keeping his boundaries in place. But what if I could sneak under his defenses? I lift my head out of the water and wipe the moisture from my face.

I must have dozed for a while because the next thing I know, the lights are slowly becoming brighter and the music grows a little louder. I follow the instructions and open the pod, then spend the rest of the day being pampered beyond anything I’ve ever experienced before. My skin is as smooth as silk and glowing with a freshness I haven’t had since before puberty struck.

The six ofus arrive on Kate and Oliver’s doorstep right on time. When the front door eventually opens, Kate steps forward, squeals, and opens her arms wide. “Oh my gawd, you’re almost my sister for real!” She draws Cass into an excited hug and they rock from side to side, laughing, and Mom and I grin at each other.

Kate embraces Poppy and then welcomes us all into her gorgeous home. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being in the home of billionaire Oliver Stone and being made to feel so welcome. Considering how wealthy they are, they never make us feel as though they’re better than us. On top of that, their home isn’t showy; it’s welcoming and warm, just like they are. They guide us to two rooms at the front of their home and I’m blown away by the setup. They’ve thought of everything for us and the girls; well above anything I would have expected. After Oliver gives his wife a not suitable for public viewing kiss, he leaves usto get ready. The excitement and happy energy in the room fills every inch of the space.

“Hey, Vi. I’m so excited that I’m almost related to you guys. I’ve always wanted a sister, and now I have two,” Kate gushes.

I’ve always felt like the tag-along—which is unnecessary because Kate’s always made me feel welcome—but the fact that she considers me part of her family as another sister brings my barely-held emotions to the surface. I reach forward and pull her into me, words escaping me for the moment. I’ve been worried I’d have to share Cass, but in reality, I’ve gained another sister. “Thank you. I’m so glad our families are joining together,” I whisper as I squeeze her, my throat clogged with emotion.

From that point, the morning is a whirlwind of activity. Hair. Makeup. Photographs. Video. Flowers.

As Cass fiddles with the daisy and jasmine sprigs for our hair, I wrap my arm around her. “I’m thrilled for you, Cass. Toby has been so good for you and Poppy. He’s an incredible man and I know, I just know that you guys were meant for each other and will have a long and happy life together.” I smile shakily at my sister, past the emotions that have built up over the morning.

She swallows and wipes away a stray tear from her cheek, then holds me tight. “You know there’s someone for you and Jas?” she whispers, giving me one of her looks. “You just need to be brave.”

I nod. “I know.” I plan to. “While I was floating in the pod yesterday, I decided to go after what I want. And I want him,” I tell Cass and she grins at me, nodding with approval. Now I need to work out a way to get him to notice me and think of me as more than a friend.

Poppy and Jas walk back into the room, each holding one of Daisy’s hands between them, and Mom follows behind smiling proudly. She loves being a grandma. Once Cass has gushed over the girls in their light-purple tutus the color of faded wisteria,we shuffle them back to the other room so Mom, Kate, and I can dress. Kate and I are wearing different styles of dresses in the same dark purple while Mom wears her dark gray mother-of-the-bride dress.

“You look gorgeous, Mom.” Damn emotions clogging up my throat.What is freaking wrong with me today?

She studies my face. “Are you okay?”

I smile, or at least I try to. “I swear I’m happy for my sister.Sohappy for her. I don’t know what’s going on with me. I’m feeling overly emotional today, especially since we arrived here to get ready.”

Mom’s worry is replaced by a compassionate smile. “I know you are. But I can’t help but wonder if today isn’t a little difficult for you to process after the way things ended with Allen.”

I shake my head slightly. “I don’t think so. I think it’s more about seeing how happy Cass and Toby are together. Howrightthey are together. How much he loves her and the girls.” I nod toward Kate. “We’ve never really been surrounded by happy and strong relationships before. It all feels foreign.”

Mom’s smile drops. “I’m sorry, Vi. As I’ve said to you before, I don’t think I did you girls any favors by staying single all these years. I didn’t show you that happiness in a relationship is possible. But it is. I believe that even after all these years and I want you to believe it, too. Don’t do what I did and shut that part of you away. Open yourself to the possibility of a happily ever after. Do it because you deserve it, and show your daughter that there are good men out there and it’s possible to have happiness.” Her eyes have grown glassy during her speech, and I have to blink back the sting of tears. We hug, careful not to crush our dresses, and then Mom heads next door to spend a quiet moment with Cass.

“Mommy, I need to go to the bathroom, but I’m worried I’m going to mess up my dress.”

I glance across at Kate. “I think the girls should hit the bathroom before the ceremony. It’ll be a while before they get another chance.”

Kate nods. “Good idea. Let’s go.” She collects Daisy and I take Poppy and Jas’s hands in each of mine, and we lead them through to the bathroom, carefully holding their pretty dresses out of the way in turn so they can do their thing.

Poppy’s almost vibrating with excitement once she’s finished washing her hands. “I can’t wait to show Daddy my pretty dress,” she signs quickly.

“He’s going to think you look beautiful,” I sign back as I speak.

Poppy and Jas twirl their way down the hallway, while Daisy tries to keep up with her chubby little legs, giggling all the way while her short curls bounce around her face. Kate wraps her hand around my wrist and pulls me to a stop before we make it back to the bedroom. “I promise I wasn’t eavesdropping, but I overheard your conversation with your mom.”

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