Page 77 of Billion Dollar Vow

My toes curl. He pulls away, leaving me gasping, and a little disorientated. “Now you can go.” He winks, knowing exactly what he’s done.

Eden gushes at how cute we are as I walk beside her and Paige. I’ve lost my words and can only mumble in agreement.

Chapter 20

Karley

Thesoothingscentsoflavender and eucalyptus greet us as we step inside the spa. Soft, ambient music plays in the background, blending seamlessly with the gentle murmur of the staff. The lighting is soft and calming, reflecting off the polished marble countertops and plush seating.

Eden whispers something to the receptionist before turning back to us. “We’re going to have a massage before we meet at the lounge.”

I hesitate, a sudden wave of anxiety washing over me.

“Liam paid for yours,” Eden says to Paige before turning to me. “And Oliver paid for yours.”

“He did?” I ask, blinking in surprise.

Eden tilts her head, confusion flickering across her face. “He’s your husband.”

I stammer, trying to recover quickly. “Of course. He just didn't mention that he already took care of it.” My fingers toy with therings on my hand, hoping my fumbling excuse is enough to cover the slip.

Fortunately, the spa staff appear just in time to call our names, guiding us to private rooms. I follow a woman down a hallway. My shoulders tense as we enter the treatment room.

This is my first time in a spa, and the unfamiliar luxury makes me feel like an impostor. The room is dimly lit, with heated stone floors and a plush massage table draped in crisp white linens.

The massage begins, and the tension in my muscles melts away, though my mind remains restless. My thoughts flick between Oliver, the embarrassing incident at the table, Oliver’s unexpected generosity, and the mountain of stuff I need to organize for the house. It isn’t until the final ten minutes that I finally let go and drift into relaxation.

After the massage, I redress and wander into the lounge area. Eden is already seated, her legs crossed elegantly as she sips her tea with a satisfied smile.

“That was amazing,” I say as I sink into the seat beside her, rolling my shoulders. The tension from the past week feels like a distant memory, my body lighter than it has been in ages.

Eden leans in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “It’s the best part of golf,” she whispers with a wink.

I laugh softly, shaking my head. “So that’s why you play.”

Her smirk deepens as she eases back. “Yep.”

I lean back against the chair, letting my head rest for a moment as a sigh escapes me. “I could get used to this.”

The words leave my lips almost too easily, and the momentary indulgence feels foreign but tempting. This isn’t my life. My mind begins to shift back to all the things I need to do.

Like the new house. I’ll be knee-deep in setting it up soon, and there’s still so much to do. My thoughts spiral to how licensing a home for family meetups is way more complicated than I expected. It's not just about having an extra bedroom.

First, I need to complete mandatory training classes about childcare and trauma. Then there's a ton of paperwork, like background checks for everyone in the household, FBI screenings, child abuse registry checks. My home has to pass a super strict safety inspection with working smoke detectors, locked cabinets, emergency plans. The state will investigate everything… My finances, my references, my entire life. It's intense. The whole process could take months, but it's designed to make sure kids are going to a truly safe environment.

I make a mental note to follow up on the process as soon as possible.

The extra money I’ve managed to keep thanks to Oliver can help speed things up. It’s a small relief.

“You’re miles away,” Eden teases.

I smile, though it feels a little forced. “Just thinking about everything I need to do.”

She hums thoughtfully. “Don’t get too lost in it. Worry about it later.”

Paige nods in agreement from the plush chair beside me, her feet soaking in a small basin of rose-scented water. “That’s what spa days are for. Turning off your brain.”

Her words linger in the back of my mind, a gentle reminder to relax and breathe. For now, I let the soothing music bring me back into the present.

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