Page 36 of His Curvy Temptation

I’m fighting back tears as I write a text message.

Hey. Tried to find you to say goodbye but I guess you’re not here. Thanks for dinner last night. See you around.

I read the text a few times, painstakingly analyzing each word, trying to decide whether this message sounds too desperate, too vulnerable, too clingy.

Fuck it.

I send the text and take a deep breath.

It’s hard to reconcile his absence this morning with the man he seemed to be last night — tender, generous, honest, open… How could all of that possibly be fake? It doesn’t seem possible.

Is it possible that I was wrong about Elijah? Is it possible that he’s just like the rest?

***

When I getto the spa, things are crazy. Saturdays are our busiest day and Tricia looks frantic when I walk in, mouthing “help me” from behind the counter where she’s ringing up two customers at once, a stack of fresh towels in a basket behind her waiting to be expertly folded.

Good god, we need more staff. We’ve told Nick this a hundred times, but does he care?

Always trying to stretch his dollar a little farther so that he can pocket more profits. After the morning I’ve had, a tough day at work is the last thing I need. But I bite my lip and carry on, folding the towels at a rapid pace. They’re not folded with laser-like precision the way that Tricia would have done, but they’re good enough, and with any luck will get us through to the end of the day.

The towel folding takes only half an hour, barely making a dent in my shift. Even though I previously promised myself I wouldn't be checking my phone all day, desperate to hear from Elijah, after I finish folding the towels I go to the back room, pulling my phone out of my locker to see if he’s sent me anything.

My heart lifts a little when I see that I have one message…until I realize it’s from Deepti, not him.

You didn’t come home tonight so I’m guessing your date went even better than expected. Call me ASAP! I need details.

I groan. Deepti always gets so excited about men — the ones she dates, and the ones her friends date. She had high hopes for Elijah Stone, and so did I…but unfortunately, it’s looking like he’s going to disappoint us both.

I text Deepti back.

Will talk later. Did not go well at all. Buy ice cream at the store.

Deepti responds within seconds.

Oh, Andy I’m so sorry. I really thought he seemed like a good one. One pint of chocolate chip cookie dough coming up. We can rent When Harry Met Sally too, if you want?

A bittersweet offer.When Harry Met Sallyis our go-to breakup movie. Except, is this even a breakup? More like getting dumped after a date that I didn’t realize was a one night stand…

I should have known better.

“Andy, you’ve got a walk-in appointment!” Tricia says, poking her head through the cracked back room door.

Sighing, I put my phone back in my locker and shut it.

When I get to spa room number three, the walk-in client is already face down on the table, a towel over his lower body.

“Good afternoon,” I say, dimming the lights and turning on the aroma therapy diffuser in the corner. “My name is Andy and I’m your therapist today. Any particular areas you’d like me to focus on?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” the man says slowly. “I think you’ll know what to do once you get started.”

He chuckles a little.

Um, ooookay?

This guy is giving me weird vibes, but then again, it’s NYC. Lots of people give me weird vibes.

I get started, rubbing some massage oil between my palms before pressing on his shoulders and down his back, ending at his hips.

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