Serenity (Inevitable #5)(27)

 "We get it," assured Tessa gently, patting him on the arm. "You've had a lot on your plate with the separation and work and your children. Let me go find one of her business cards for you now, Matthew. Be right back."

Matthew didn't miss the possessive way Ian watched his wife as she hurried through the French doors inside the house, and smiled a little wistfully. Had he ever felt that way about Lindsey, even when they'd been newlyweds? It was extremely obvious to even a casual observer that Ian and Tessa were both madly in love, and also enjoyed a deeply passionate relationship.

"I envy you, Ian," he admitted with a sigh. "In the nearly twenty years that Lindsey and I were together, I'm not sure she ever once looked at me the way your wife's been staring at you all evening. Then again, I'm not sure I've met any couple who seem as crazy about each other as you and Tessa do. Not to repeat myself, but you're a very, very lucky man."

Ian smiled. "I am lucky. And I'm the first to admit it. And, yes, I realize that what Tessa and I have together is very rare, very special. I just wish that you had known that sort of love in your own marriage, at least for a time. Or that at the very least you might be able to have that sort of relationship with someone else one of these days."

Matthew gave a little snort of derision. "That's probably the farthest thing from my mind these days, what with all the pressures at work and trying to fit in enough time to see my kids. Not to mention the twice weekly phone calls from my divorce attorney updating me on the progress with the proceedings. And before you ask, the progress has pretty much come to a grinding halt. Lindsey refuses to even consider looking at the divorce papers unless I change the terms. Her latest demand is that she still gets half of everything, plus receive a very sizeable monthly payment for the next twenty years. I told my attorney I wasn't quite that desperate yet."

"Good. You're being far more than generous with your offer, Matthew. I just can't imagine someone being offered such a staggering sum of money and still wanting more." Ian shook his head in disbelief. "Is Lindsey doing this out of greed or spite?"

"Probably both," replied Matthew. "My attorney wants me to use all the reports the private investigator compiled about her infidelities as leverage. But that would be hard to keep quiet, and I don't want the kids to know. Though there may come a time when I don't have a choice any longer." 

The topic was swiftly dropped as Tessa returned to the table, and handed Matthew a business card printed in sage green and tan. It bore the name, address, and telephone number of a yoga studio here in San Francisco, along with Sasha Fonseca/LMT.

"She works out of the yoga studio?" inquired Matthew as he tucked the card inside his wallet.

Tessa nodded. "Most of the time. She sees some clients at their home, like me and Ian, but that's only because we have a massage table and the other supplies she needs here. She doesn't own a car, and it's a little tough to cart a folding table around on the bus. But the studio has several massage rooms, and I've had sessions with Sasha there before. Be warned, though. It might take you a couple of weeks or longer before you can snag an appointment with her. She's very in demand. In fact, maybe I should call her for you and set something up. Her evening class should be ending soon, so I can try calling her in a few minutes."

"If you don't mind, that would be awesome," Matthew told her gratefully. "The more I think about it, the more the idea of a massage sounds miraculous. With each passing minute, it feels like another muscle or joint is aching."

"I don't mind at all," assured Tessa. "I just hope she has her phone turned on. She, ah, isn't very big on technology, which is why I never text or email her. In fact, I'm not even sure she has an email account."

Matthew, who was considered one of the modern day kings of technology, was more than a little appalled at that revelation. But he was greatly relieved a few minutes later when Tessa was able to reach Sasha on her cell phone, and set up an appointment for Matthew the following afternoon.

"She's basically fitting you in between other appointments," explained Tessa. "As something of a favor to me. So you'd better give her a really big tip!" she added teasingly.

Matthew chuckled. "No worries there. And if she's as good as you and Ian insist she is, it will probably be the biggest tip she's ever received before. I can barely move my neck at all right now. Thank you, Tessa, I really appreciate it."

"No problem. I think  – well, you'll figure it out for yourself pretty quickly, but Sasha is a very special person. She's not just a great massage therapist, but she has a very calming, grounding presence about her as well. I think she could be very good for you in more ways than one, Matthew," commented Tessa. "She's helped me through some difficult times, and maybe she can do the same for you."