Page 19 of Changed Plan

The sight of myself in the mirror is worse than I expected. Thankfully, I have a hair clip in my purse. I wash my face and brush my teeth. People are getting testy about the wait for a sink, so I skip makeup.

All I have in my purse is lip gloss, anyway. Besides, my face feels too dry for anything else. Maybe the store with the skincare products will be open this morning. I need moisturizer. And toner, and my serums, but I’ll settle for moisturizer. A facial, that’s what I need.

It’s early, but the spa is open, and there are already customers inside. I’m clearly not the only one whose skin is distressed.

I sign in, and the woman at the counter asks if I’d like to get a back massage while I wait. After sleeping in an airport chair? Uh, yes, please. Can I get two?

The massage is over way too soon, and that facial isn’t going to win any awards, but it definitely makes my skin feel better. I’m fully awake and ready to hit the job search again.

I applied for a few positions last night while I sat at the bar, one that would be a dream, but I’m trying not to get my hopes up.

All revived and ready to go, I walk out into the terminal and nearly crash right into Zane. He catches me by my forearms and steadies me. “Do you ever look where you’re going?”

“Me? It was your fault this time.”

“Where are you coming from in such a hurry?”

“The spa.” I swivel my head and tilt it toward the business behind me. “I had a massage and a facial.”

“It’s not even eight a.m.”

“I know, and there was already a wait. Now, I’ve got to go buy moisturizer and—”

“Why didn’t you buy it in there?” He points to the spa.

“They don’t sell skincare products.”

“But they do facials?”

“Listen, I’m not their CEO. I’m just a customer.”

“Fair enough. Let’s get some breakfast first, and then, I’ll walk with you to buy your moisturizer.” He’s still got his eyes on the spa. “They do massages in there, huh?”

“Yeah. Do you need one?”

“Not as badly as I need breakfast.”

“I’m glad to see you could locate a shirt in your half-starved state.”

“Are you, though?” He winks.

I ignore it. Outwardly. “Real pants, too,” I add.

“Careful with the shoes today, please. They’re not vegan.”

“Better keep your distance to be safe.”

“Safety first, I always say.”

“Yeah, I bet you do.”

Just like last night, a table becomes available as soon as we walk up to the restaurant.

“I hate to be predictable, but the pancakes look amazing.”

“Did I predict you’d order pancakes?” He looks like he honestly doesn’t remember.

“Last night. You said I should get some sleep so I wouldn’t fall asleep in my pancakes.”

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