Page 39 of Falling in Between
13
The noise of spa tubs, electronic nail files, and the mood-altering notes of Led Zeppelin fill the air. The sickeningly sweet smell of nail polish is so strong I can practically taste it. I’ve never understood how these people don’t walk around with constant migraines. I grab a bottle of Georgia Peach nail polish and hop onto the pedicure chair next to Steph, sinking my feet into the tub. Shea, my manicurist, turns on the tap. Warm water shoots out, washing over my feet. Once the soak reaches my ankles, Itense.
Steph glances at me and lifts a brow. “You arenotgoing to pee on yourself,Charlie.”
“I know,” I say it like I’m eight-thousand percent sure I’m not going to piss my pants, even though I keep looking down at my crotch. Warm water could easily cause me to lose control of my bladder, and it would be embarrassing as hell to ride the subway home in soggy, pee pants. I shudder and push the thought from myhead.
“So…” Steph shakes her bottle of Va-Va-VoomRed.
“Soooo?” Iask.
Shea sits on the stool and taps my knee for me to bring my left foot out of thewater.
Steph stares at me like she’s waiting for me to divulgeinformation.
“What?” I give her a bug-eyedstare.
“Did you fuck him afterdrinks?”
I jerk my head toward Shea who’s bent over, clipping mytoenails.
Dani looks at Shea then at me. “Shea doesn’tcare.”
Shea chuckles. “No, I like hearing dirty sex stories. Steph tells me hers all thetime.”
I drop my chin to my chest. People shouldn’t be so open about their sex lives. “No, Ididn’t.”
“And why not?” Stephscowls.
“I just didn’t?” I say, deciding against telling her that we masturbated for each other and half of Pier Park on the balcony of a lavish highrise.
She rubs her hands together, a sick grin twisting her lips. “Well, I won twentybucks.”
“What?”
“Dani and I made a bet after you left the other night. Dani thought you’d do it. I didn’t.” She places her hand on her chest like a saint. “I’m the goodfriend.”
“Wow…”
Shea accidentally shoves my cuticle too far back, and I jerk my foot away with ahiss.
“That’s for not sleeping with him.” Shealaughs.
The bell over the door dings, and the salon seems to fall eerily silent. The ladies at the manicure table stare wide-eyed at the entrance. I glance to my right, and my mouth drops open. Elijah strolls in, wearing one of his damn suits that should come with a warninglabel.
Thankfully, the receptionist stops him at the counter. She’s smiling from ear to ear, twirling her hair around her finger and popping that godawful Hubba Bubba gum she’s always chewing.He has no business being in Shea’s Nails SoGood.
I look at Steph whose eyes are glued to the front of thestore.
“Stop staring,” I whisper through clenchedteeth.
“Charlie…” She trails off, and my stomach bottomsout.
Oh God. He’s here—where people call me Charlie. Not Demi! And I am not ready to explain that shitshow in front of this crowd.Shit. Shit. Shit!“Did you tell him to meet you here or something?” Stephasks.
“No.” I hold my finger up with a scowl. “Shh!”
I lean toward Shea who slowly glances up. “If that man—” Istart.
