She’d made a difference. It wasn’t as much as she wanted it to be, but she had done it. She clung to that.
“Jasmine Winters?” A delicate, feminine voice intruded and she glanced up into the single, most cheerful smile she’d ever seen. A stunning blonde in jeans and a loose blousy shirt stood in front of her, sunglasses perched on her head like a headband. “I’m Lauren Kincaid.”
“James’ Lauren?” She accepted the beautifully manicured hand stretching out to take hers and shook it.
“Yes, I am.” The woman’s smile increased, if that were possible, and she radiated good cheer and positive health. Dazzled by the wattage, Jazz smiled back. “I’ve been wanting to meet you ever since the boys brought you up at dinner a few months ago. But James insisted I wait until you had some recovery time. He thinks I bulldoze every situation. Which is true, but sometimes it takes a good bulldozer to plow through the bullshit. You know what I mean?”
“Actually, yes, I do. It’s nice to meet you. I think Zach mentioned you in a letter—or maybe it was Logan? They were impressed with James’ ability to land a ‘movie babe.’” Probably not the most complimentary way of putting it, but Lauren laughed.
“I am the one who totally got lucky. Anyway, not that I can’t talk about James all day, but I’m actually here to pick you up.”
“Me?” Jazz frowned. Logan might be running late—a first—but she didn’t recall making any other plans. A frisson of fear struck sparks against her gut. Was she still losing time? She didn’t think she had in the last couple of weeks.
“Yes, and before you start worrying you forgot something, this is totally spontaneous. I was walking James to his office when we ran into the guys. They were on their way here and mentioned you. I am seriously in need of a manicure and some pampering, so I thought to myself what better way to get to know you than to invite you along?” She waved a clearly-not-in-need-of-a-manicure hand for emphasis. “I have this great place I go to, we can get massages, some mani-pedis, and they’ll serve us lunch to boot. Say yes? I don’t have a lot of girlfriends here to do this with except for Rebecca, and she’s neck deep in wedding planning. I’d rather have a mud facial than be up to my armpits in taffeta.”
Everything about the glowing woman from her glossy blonde locks pulled back in a casual ponytail, to her sparkling sandals framing bright red toenails was like being struck blind by a hurricane of cheer. “Okay, I need to call the guys….”
“Nope. No need. I told them I’d take you back to the apartment if you said no, so you’re free.” She cocked her head, sweeping a completely nonjudgmental look over her appearance. “Unless you want to change. I didn’t think about the fact that you worked out. I have some things that might fit then we can play a little dress up while we’re at it.”
Dazed by the effervescence, Jazz laughed again. “No, I’m good. I actually managed to use one of the showers in the center.”
“Perfect! Are you good to go or do I get to push? I warn you, I will make back up beeps if we have to turn around.”
The complete impudence in the tease tickled Jazz’s funny bone. “I think I got this. Where are you parked?”
Chapter Eight
Jazz relaxed. The masseuse turned out to be in the Air Force reserve and understood the physical therapy she was undergoing. Ninety minutes of toning massage later, she felt better than she had in weeks. Amber dug her thumbs and elbows into knots along Jazz’s spine, triggering pressure points that hurt like a bitch at first, but when they let go, she thought she’d peed.
By the time she poured off the table and they wheeled her out to the mani-pedi room, she felt almost human. Amber wrapped her head in a warm towel, covering the scars and the spiky stubble length of her hair. It was growing back, very, very slowly. Jazz maneuvered onto the pedi chair without any assistance. Amber, bless her, stayed close but somehow managed not to hover.
“I am in love with this spa.” Lauren occupied the opposite chair, her hair pulled up into a ponytail at the back of her head. A Marine green headband held the tendrils off her scrubbed face.
“It’s pretty nice.” It was more than nice. The spa seemed to cater every need a woman might have from hair to body massage.
“I was thinking facials after this, are you doing okay for that?” Lauren’s bright and sunny personality steam rolled over any possible objections, so Jazz just smiled.
“Sure.” Of course, it occurred to her that she didn’t have her wallet or a way to pay. Straightening in the chair, she glanced down at the petite Asian woman who turned on the water and warm jets.