Page 62 of The Bargain

“I almost did,” I admitted as I climbed in. I wasn’t sure what it was about this woman that made it impossible for me to lie to her.

She laughed loudly and I detailed her. She really was the polar opposite of her brother. She was sporting her hair in a high ponytail and she was dressed in a simple pair of jeans, trainers, and a plain green tee-shirt. She looked so much more like someone from my neighborhood than someone from Dean’s, but she was a psychiatrist. Had she dressed like this on purpose? Whatever her reason why, I felt grateful for it.

“I commend you for your honesty,” she added, laugher still in her voice.

I looked away. Honesty had used to be my strong suit.

“You’ll see. Today is going to be fun. Full pampering before the party. Have you been to a spa before?”

“No, but my friend, Dee, did my nails every once in a while.”

She nodded. “You’ll love it.”

We drove in comfortable silence before stopping in front of a huge white building. A man came to open my door.

“I’ve planned the whole day.” Lea locked her arm with mine as we walked in. Stopping by reception, we grabbed a welcoming bag each before heading for the lockers.

The bags contained a plush robe, flip flops, and a bracelet with a key for the locker.

“I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, I don’t. I’ve never done anything like this.”

“You need to be fully naked under your robe,” Lea said as we entered the changing room. I blushed furiously at the idea of being naked in a group.

Noticing my discomfort, Lea pointed at the individual changing rooms.

“Don’t worry. Nobody will see you. It’s just better for the full body massage.”

I nodded gratefully and went to the changing room to slip on the robe. Despite it being so long it stopped past my knees, I was still very conscious of the fact that I was naked under it. That I would be naked walking around strangers.

“We’ll be starting our full-body massages and facials with waxing, if that’s okay?” Lea asked as she sat on a leather chair in the waiting room. She gestured to the seat beside her. After sitting down, I started to relax under the strange blue light and soothing music.

A middle-aged woman called my name. I turned to Lea.

“You go,” she said. “It will be my turn any minute. We’ll meet back here in two hours.” She smiled. “Enjoy it and relax. Lord knows you need it for sharing a space with my savage brother.”

I wanted to laugh at her joke, but I couldn't. It was true that Dean was a savage in all aspects, but Lord save me, some of that savagery, I’d enjoyed.

At the start of the massage, I was very tense and awkward. I was not used to being touched by other people, but after a few minutes, I started to relax. By the time the woman was done with the full massage and another woman took over for the eyebrow waxing and facial, I was the most relaxed I’d ever been. I left behind my relationship with Dean, Timmy’s sick heart…everything.

They said that money couldn’t buy happiness, but right at this moment, I wasn’t sure.

When I met Lea after the treatments, I was as relaxed as I'd ever been. I didn’t even care about the evening gala.

“Ready for lunch?” she asked, looking just as relaxed as I was.

“Yes, I’m starving.”

After being seated at a table, we ordered an afternoon tea to share. She ordered a mimosa, while I chose an orange juice.

“So how does it feel?” Lea asked, leaning back in her chair.

I let out a small sigh. “Amazing.”

She nodded. “Good. I wanted today to be a sort of apology for my brother.”

I waved my hand dismissively. I was too relaxed to twist the truth.

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