Tessa nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! Though unlike Ian I'd be perfectly happy with either a boy or a girl. And since I hope to have at least three or four children, at some point I'm bound to have one or more of each gender."
"You're going to be a wonderful mother, Tessa," assured Sasha warmly. "Your baby is going to be a very lucky little girl. Or boy," she added hastily. "I can't say for certain yet that you're having a girl. And I already know that Ian isn't a believer in my vibes, as you call them. Like most men, he's a skeptic about that sort of thing."
Tessa grinned. "But that's why it will be so satisfying to prove that you were right all along! Maybe then he'll be a believer."
"Perhaps. Now, will I see you again before you head off to Italy?"
Tessa and Ian were departing within the next few days for a two week vacation at his family's villa in Tuscany, a trip that was an annual tradition for the Gregsons.
"We're flying out on Friday afternoon," confirmed Tessa. "So I'll be here for your Wednesday morning class for sure, and maybe on Thursday evening as well. Julia's coming on Wednesday, and wants to have breakfast afterwards if you're available."
"I think so, yes. I'm pretty sure I don't have a massage appointment until after noon that day."
Tessa gave her a hug good-bye, then had to dash off to a doctor's appointment. Tessa had lingered after class for a few minutes to chat, and now the big studio was completely empty. Another class was due to start here in less than twenty minutes, so Sasha began to gather her belongings up.
But as she went to pick up her bag, she froze at the sound of an achingly familiar voice coming from the doorway.
"Uh, hello? The girl at the front desk said it would be okay for me to come in."
Sasha turned around slowly, not sure if she should feel annoyed, angry, or merely impassive at the sight of the only man she'd ever loved - and the only one who had thoroughly broken her heart - hovering uncertainly in the doorway.
Even though it was a work day, Matthew was casually dressed in jeans and a white chambray shirt, the sleeves rolled up to expose his leanly muscled forearms. His face was lightly stubbled, but at least his hair had been neatly combed and slicked back. He looked tired but oddly serene at the same time, and he was smiling at her hopefully.
Sasha crossed her arms over her chest and regarded him impassively. "Actually, there's another class starting in here within the next few minutes so I was just about to leave."
"Oh." Matthew glanced at the thick manila envelope he was holding. "Um, okay. Well, can I buy you a cup of coffee, then? I mean, tea. I know you don't drink coffee, that was just a figure of speech."
"Matthew," she rebuked. "You aren't supposed to be here. You know that."
"Please." He raised his eyes to hers, and she couldn't help the little lurch her heart gave when she saw the desperation in his gaze. "I've got something to tell you, Sasha. Something really important. And I know I don't have any right to ask, but can you please just hear me out for a few minutes? Please?"
Sasha heaved a sigh. "Fine. But I have a client coming in for a massage in less than an hour, so coffee - rather, tea - is out. We can talk in the massage room for a few minutes."
Matthew didn't argue, merely followed along willingly behind her as she headed in the direction of the massage rooms. Once inside, Sasha flicked on the lights and stored her bag as Matthew closed the door behind them.
He was looking around the small room with a wistful expression on his face. "I can't believe it's been almost a year since the first time I set foot in this room," he recalled. He glanced at the massage table longingly. "God, I could really use a massage right about now."
Sasha frowned. "Please tell me that you've been having regular massages since - well, since the last time I gave you one."
Matthew shook his head. "It wouldn't have been the same," he told her earnestly. "And it wouldn't have felt right. Plus, the last thing I've had time for is looking out for myself."
"I can tell," she admonished him. "You've lost weight, and I'm just guessing you haven't been eating right."
He shuddered. "You'd be revolted if I told you what my diet has been like as of late. But that isn't why I'm here."
"I didn't imagine that it was," replied Sasha calmly. "So you'd best tell me then, hadn't you?"
"Yeah." Matthew fumbled with the metal clasp of the manila envelope he'd been carrying around. He drew out a thick packet of papers and held them out to her. "This is why I'm here. I wanted to show you this in person."