Page 90 of Toxic Salvation
32
VESPER
“I can’t do that!”
Luka’s face contorts with pure horror, and I have to bite my cheek to keep from laughing.
“And why not?” I ask, feigning innocence.
“It’s afacial.” He drops his tone to barely above a whisper. “That’s girl stuff.”
“Since when do you care about what’s girl stuff and boy stuff?” I cross my arms. “This is the twenty-first century, kiddo. Gender norms are outdated.”
“What if someone from school sees me?”
“We’re in private rooms behind screens. Nobody’s going to see you.” I gesture around the upscale spa. “Come on, Luka. It’ll be fun.”
“Yeah, Luka.” Charity jumps in, probably sensing her spa day slipping away. “If not for yourself, then do it for me. I’m a poor paramedic who hasn’t had any self-care in six months.”
Luka shakes his head and crosses his arms tighter.
Pavel sighs and steps forward to jump on the grenade. “How about I do it with you, kid? Facials for everyone?”
Charity’s mouth falls open. She’s been checking Pavel out all morning, but now, she’s practically drooling.
“You’re going to get a facial?” Luka double-checks.
“Darn right I am. Taking care of yourself is never a bad thing. Look at your uncle Kovan—man’s going to look eighty when he’s fifty because he never takes care of himself. I will not succumb to that fate. No, siree.”
Luka bites his lip. “You’ll stay with me the whole time?”
“The entire time,” Pavel promises.
Only after a very solemn pinky swear does Luka agree to the mini-facial. Pavel glances back at Charity and me and mouths, “You owe me big time.”
Then he and Luka disappear into the men’s lounge while Charity and I are escorted to the women’s section.
Unfortunately, our four massive bodyguards follow us, earning dirty looks from every other client at Noeline’s. Everyone is trying to enjoy their spa treatments without being watched by the scariest security detail in San Francisco. I can’t really blame them.
“This is mortifying,” I mutter as we’re shown into a private room.
“I think it makes you look important,” Charity counters. “You should embrace it.”
“Easy for you to say. You’ve only dealt with this for one afternoon. This has been my life for weeks.”
“With good reason.” Charity gives me her best stern look.
We settle into the plush chairs and wait for our aestheticians. Classical music plays softly in the background, mingling with the sound of a water fountain somewhere nearby.
“God, it’s peaceful here. Maybe I should convince Pavel to do a couples massage after this. At least then I could see him shirtless.”
“What happened to Osip?” I say with a sly look. “I thought you had a thing for him.”
“I did. He’s got the whole sexy, intimidating thing going for him. But Pavel has this boyish charm I can’t resist. He’s sensitive. Great with Luka. And he’s getting a facial for us.” Charity grins. “He checks all my boxes. Who knows? Maybe I’ll take them both.”
“Congratulations.”
“Plus, if Pavel and I get married someday, you and I will be sisters for real.”
