Page 74 of Ties That Bind Us

Nick

I sighed, not able to contain my smile. In true Nick fashion, he was going above and beyond to show me he hadn’t forgotten what we talked about. I was curious to see what he had planned, and excitement washed over me. Somehow, whenever I doubted him, he found a way to prove me wrong.

I ate a little bit of the breakfast he’d had delivered, and slipped my swimsuit and cover-up on and headed to the spa. I’d seen it when I was exploring yesterday, and had been dying to go inside. I made my way up the steps and to the front desk. Immediately, I was hit with the soft aroma of lavender, and took a deep breath. Classical music played in the background, and everything was so peaceful and serene.

“Hello. How can I help you?” a small woman with a flower in her hair asked.

“Uh, I am looking for Rose, my name is—”

“Oh, I know exactly who you are, Ava.” She smiled sweetly. “Please follow me, right this way.”

She opened a set of double doors that led to the interior of the spa, and gave me a tour. There were several large, interconnected pools that she explained were the hydrotherapy pools. Each one had a different purpose and I would soak in each of them. She led me to a locker room and handed me a key.

“In there, you will find a robe and slippers. Change into them and then you can go right through that door for your treatments. I will be back at the end to give you something.” She smiled and then disappeared quickly.

I bit my lip softly. This was all a little overwhelming. I had no idea what treatments she was talking about, but I did as she asked and changed my clothes. Once I was done, I made my way into the room she’d showed me, where a therapist waited.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Ava. My name is Jackie and I will be your therapist today. Are you ready?” She spoke softly, but quickly.

“I think so, but can you tell me what we will be doing?” I asked curiously.

“Of course!” she exclaimed. “First, you will have a ninety-minute hot stone massage, followed by a mud and seaweed wrap. Once you are done with that, we will do a hibiscus sugar scrub and you will soak in our hydrotherapy tubs. Rose will meet us after that to take you to the remainder of your day.”

I could certainly get used to Nick’s idea of relaxing. I followed the woman into the treatment room and spent the next four hours in pure heaven. The only thing that could have made it even better was having Nick with me, but I had a feeling I was going to be seeing him soon.

I sat in the locker room waiting for Rose and soon, she arrived.

“How was your morning, Ms. Ava?” She smiled and handed me a glass of champagne.

“Incredible.” I smiled. “Are you taking me to see Nick now?”

“Not yet. We still have a few things to do first.” She giggled excitedly. It seemed she was getting as much enjoyment out of this as I was. “You can leave your stuff here and one of our workers will bring it over.”

I followed her through another set of doors, and we were suddenly in a salon.

“This is Angel. She is going to be your stylist.” She introduced me to the fairy-like woman behind the desk.

“My stylist?” I asked.

“Yes, it was specified that the next place you’re headed is very elegant, and that no expense should be spared in helping you get ready.”

“Of course.” I laughed to myself. Nick wouldn’t have the slightest idea about how to spare an expense if his life depended on it. He was always extravagant. What exactly did he have in mind with all of this, though?

Angel led me over to a chair and put a cape over me. “Your husband must really love you.”

“Oh, he’s not my husband.” I blushed. Not yet, anyway.

She scoffed. “Well, you better make it official soon, sweetie. I’ve seen a lot in my time here, but this guy must be crazy about you for what he’s planning.”

“You know where I’m meeting him?” I asked, curious to see if I could pry some information out of her. The suspense was killing me, and this one seemed more talkative than the other women I had met today.

“I know the gist of it, but don’t think you’re getting anything out of me.” She winked. “Now let’s see what we want to do here . . .”

She got to work doing my hair while another lady came in and did my makeup. Another gave me a manicure and a pedicure, and I felt like an absolute queen. Nick had to be spending a fortune on all of this, and I felt a little guilty. It was too much.

“Wow!” I exclaimed when they finally turned me around and let me face the mirror. It was a complete transformation from what I has walked in here as.

“You look amazing, sweetheart. You’ll absolutely knock him off his feet.” She squeezed my shoulders excitedly. “And now for the grand finale!”

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