Page 78 of Plus Size Player

Tessa and Byron exchanged a knowing smile before the four of us left the mud room. We traveled down the hall and entered a white room with plush white chairs and a couple of love seats facing a glowing statue. I inhaled deeply and looked around. The peppermint scent was prominent but not overbearing.

“This is the cooldown,” Byron told us. “This is to rehydrate your body and reset your mind. And because this is a couple’s session, this is also an opportunity to reconnect.”

“This room utilizes aromatherapy, so the peppermint improves mental function and reduces pain and stress.” Tessa ushered us to our seats as she pointed to the light structure in the middle of theroom. “The room is lit by the large Himalayan salt lamp, which will boost mood, increase energy levels, and increase the flow of oxygen to your brain. And we have fruit-infused water that will not only rehydrate your body, it’ll also flush out any remaining toxins.”

We sat on the love seat and propped our feet up on the footstool as we listened. I hadn’t realized how thirsty I was until my first sip of water.

“Lastly, you are going to use this time to silently reconnect. Since you’ve released all the toxins and negativity, use this time to rehydrate your relationship as well.”

When they left us alone, we finally took a break from drinking.

“Somebody is thirsty,” Russ said, taking another sip of water.

I giggled quietly. “I know you ain’t talking! Not the way you just took down that whole bottle.”

“I let out a lot of toxins and negativity in that mud. I had to replenish.”

I gave him a sidelong glance. I started to make a smart-ass remark, but then I remembered the look that was on his face when we were in the mud.

“What were you thinking about when we were soaking?” I asked, staring at the salt lamp.

My question was met with silence. After a few seconds, I looked over at him. He was fixated on the lamp, so I took in his profile. His tongue wet his full lips before he started to speak.

“What I saw for my life.” He looked over at me and gave me a tight smile. “And what I see for my life.”

I nodded contemplatively. “Is what you saw for your life lining up with how you’re living your life?”

“Yeah. In some ways.”

With a tilt of my head, I requested more information. “In what ways?”

“Time. Money. Freedom. Connections.” He paused, searching my face for a moment. He looked like he wanted to say something else.

He didn’t continue, but the way he was looking at me caused my stomach to flutter.

I cleared my throat lightly. “I know we agreed to not talk about work, so I won’t take it personally if you don’t want to answer. But I noticed you didn’t put your work on your list.”

Hesitation flickered across his face.

It was the first time I’d ever seen him hesitate and that intrigued me more. But I didn’t want to pry. I reached over and squeezed his hand.

“Never mind,” I said quietly. “It’s okay.”

I started pulling my hand away and he stopped me. Bringing my hand to his lips, he kissed it before allowing me to retreat.

“I love what I do,” he began. “But I miss being creative. I miss designing my own shit. I miss getting hands-on with my work. I don’t get to do that as often as I used to. And that’s been weighing on me. This summer, spending time with you, made me realize that. I have too much going on at work right now. But one day, I’m going to move some things around and make it happen. I hadn’t really said anything to anyone until now.”

I smiled. “So you’re going to get back in your creative bag?”

He nodded. “I am. Creating always made me happy. I’m good with numbers and business. But creating was my shit.”

“Then that’s what you should be doing. Even if it’s not full-time or every day yet. Life is too short for you not to be doing what makes you happy.”

“You’re right.” He ran his hand over his beard and let out a short, dry laugh. “It’s going to shake some shit up at work, but I have to. Even if it’s only one day a week, I need to get back to my roots.”

“As you should,” I agreed. “If it’s been on your mind to do it, you should do it. If it’s going to make you happy, you should absolutely do it. We have one life to live so we have to live it to the fullest.”

A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. “What makes you happy?” he inquired. “Are you doing what you love?”

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