Page 13 of Kiss Away Your Pain (Wounded Hearts 2)

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Candi

The last couple months since Destiny’s wedding have been so busy. I’m used to traveling for work, but it feels like it’s been nonstop. I’m glad to be home for the week. I have a long-overdue girls’ day scheduled with Destiny and I’m so excited. We’re getting pedicures, facials, and having a gloriously healthy spa lunch.

When I open the door to Scrub & Honey, I’m instantly filled with calm as the gentle scent of lavender drifts into my nose. Harp and piano melodies enter my ears, relaxing me, my shoulders loosen. I check in and head to the sitting area. Sunlight filters through the tall windows of the long corridor that’s dotted with large white urns filled with billowy peonies, heirloom roses, and hydrangeas in mixed hues of pastel pink.

When I reach the sitting area, Destiny’s already there. She stands when she sees me and we hug, rocking back and forth a little.

“Girl, I’ve missed you,” I say quietly, respecting the peacefulness of the spa, then release her, holding her hands in mine. “You look radiant. Married life must be treating you well.”

Her smile lightens the room even more. “It is. Nicco’s amazing. My writing feels incredible. And I’m just really happy.”

“I’m so happy for you.” I squeeze her hands.

“I’m also starving. Ready for lunch?”

“So ready.”

We go to the locker room and change into our plush, white, spa robes and slippers. The scent of eucalyptus continues relaxing me. When we enter the intimate dining area, we’re seated at a reserved table. Almost as soon as we sit, a spa attendant comes over with lemon-infused waters followed by our plates of avocado and egg sandwich, fire-roasted shrimp, and pickled cucumber salad.

“You’ve been all over the place lately. Tell me about your adventures and the projects you’ve done,” she says, picking up the sandwich and taking a big bite.

I pop off a shrimp tail. “Mmm, you and Nicco have to go to Zion National Park. It’s beautiful and spiritual and just the most magical place I’ve ever been. I was doing a shoot for Elisabetta Frenchi and the energy was unreal. The colors were so vibrant and the way the sun lit everything at different times of the day, it was breathtaking. I swear even the models had an ethereal glow.” I chuckle under my breath.

“That sounds amazing. I’ll definitely mention it to him. Tell me more. Where else did you go?” she asks, practically shoveling food into her mouth.

I rattle off a few more of the beautiful locations I went to and share some of the funny things that happened during a couple of the shoots. Our time together always grounds me, filling me up and replenishing me.

“Oh hey, Nicco told me you had a shoot with the hot bartender before you left town after the wedding. I totally forgot to ask you about it. How’d that go?”

“How did Nicco know?” The mere mention of Enzo sends a bolt of energy thrumming through me. He and our hot kiss visited my thoughts many times over the past few months.

“They ran into each other after the shoot,” she says, matter of fact.

“Girl.” I squish my face and shake my head. Unease, mixed with a hint of craving, flits in my stomach.

“Okay, so tell me.” She wiggles her shoulders.

“Well, I told you that I kissed him after the wedding and how fucking hot it was and then how awful and guilty I felt about it.”

“Mhmm.”

“And then, he turns out to be the male model of the Dive into Swim shoot I did. I was so uncomfortable at first, but he was actually really cool about it. I told him I don’t kiss strangers. He said he figured as much. We did the shoot. And holy shit. His body. I mean,damn.”

Her brows raise and she nods, hope filling her smile. “Uh-huh,” she says with a prodding tone.

“You know I’m not one to get flustered by a guy. But after that kiss we had and working with him practically naked, girl, I was all sorts of flustered.” I chuckle into my hand to hush my sound.

“Tell me more.” Her eyes widen as she leans forward a little and takes another bite of her sandwich.

“There’s not much more to tell. He asked me out again. I turned him down again. And that was that. I’ll tell you what though, he’s popped into my head more than a few times.”

“Yeah?” There’s that hopefulness again.

I sigh. “Yeah.”

“That’s okay, you know. It’s kind of a good thing, don’t you think?”

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