Page 98 of Taste of Addiction

“Sure, thank you.” I accept the glass she offers and take the first sip. Oh, this is fun. The flavor of the beverage is so good that I don’t even miss the alcohol that would normally be in it.

I scan over the hundreds of colors and am stuck with whether to go flirty or dramatic. I hear the sound of the door behind me opening and turn to see Claire walk through with a big smile. She is wearing a knee-length denim dress and looks so cute with her hair piled high on top of her head.

“Hey!” I say, giving her a big hug. “What are you doing here?”

“Graham invited me to join you. Plus, we both know you could use my help,” she says with a laugh.

“This is true,” I admit.

The worker hands Claire a glass without even asking if she wants any.

I can’t keep from smiling. “This is so fun. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me too. I miss you. But two days in a row you get to experience all I have to offer. Lucky you.”

I nod. “Lucky me.”

We spend the next twenty minutes debating colors until we finally just pick one. I settle on a frosty silver shade called the Tin Man. Claire selects a pretty sparkling red shade that is titled Get Glittery With It.

The nail technician guides us to the private VIP section in the back of the shop that has a buffet set up with cheeses, cold meats, and mini pieces of bread. Fresh fruit, nuts, and preserves are also offered, along with an assortment of chocolate truffles.

Claire stares at the display. “Keep him.”

I giggle. “He sure knows the way to my heart.”

“Right through the stomach.”

“Exactly.”

We fill up our plates and set them on tables that are beside the foot baths. Our assigned worker refills our glasses and introduces us to Claire’s attendant. We sit back, allow our feet to soak, get massaged, and get exfoliated. We giggle over being tickled with the cheese grater type tool, munch on food, and talk about the most stupid topics—like Doomsday bins and what we would do if we switched bodies for the day.

Our technicians snap silly pics of us with my phone, as Claire and I show off our nails.

“Wait until you see your outfit I picked out for you for tomorrow’s night out.”

“Please tell me it did not come from the Juniors section of the store.”

“Oh, no. This was a special order ensemble. Pretty sure you are going to melt the ice from a few hearts.”

I groan over her excitement. She is acting like she just won the lottery and bouncing around the space, waving her freshly painted hands in the air.

“Is Graham going to allow me to leave our place with me wearing it?”

“Oh, good thinking! I can bring a conservative top layer to trick him. Just like I used to do in high school. Look at you, making me bring back all these memories. Speaking of your overbearing man,” she says, pointing over to the doorway where he is standing, watching us chatter.

“Hot damn, he looks good,” I mutter, throwing back the last of my bubbly cider. His eyes catch mine, and I blatantly ogle him in public, licking my lips. He grins at me and his eyes glance over my robe knowingly.

“Get it, girl. This eye-sex thing you guys are doing is making me a bit uncomfortable, though. It’s like I am part of a surprise threesome. Get a room. I’m out.”

I lean over to give her a hug. “You sure you don’t need a ride?”

“I’ll just call a cab, no worries.”

Claire thanks Graham, waves a quick goodbye, and exits in a hurry. I am so entranced, watching every movement he makes on his way toward me.

“Hey you,” I say with a smile.

“Ready for a little fun?”

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