She pulls into a parking spot, shuts the car off, and turns towards me in her seat. “Dylan, seriously? What if Reese was the one getting a massage and some fucking hot chick was rubbing her hands all over his body and giving him pleasure. Would you be okay with that?”
Well shit, I didn’t think about it like that. “No, I definitely wouldn’t be okay with that.” I cover my face quickly and rub it. “Damn it. I’m such an asshole.”
She laughs and pulls my hands down. “No, you’re not. You’re expecting him to not care about you because what you two are doing is what you keep foolishly referring to as casual. But you’re very hard not to care about.” Her thumb softly strokes my hand and I smile weakly at her. “Even if you guys are just having fun, he’s allowed to want to keep you to himself and so are you.” God, I miss these talks with Juls. She always makes perfect sense out of any situation. She stops lovingly caressing me and slaps my hand, causing me to shriek. “Now buck up and put your girl talk game face on. You are mine today.”
**
The massage was, of course, booked with a man but I quickly protested and was able to switch to an available woman that had a client cancel on her. I relaxed immediately after that was taken care of and enjoyed my facial first, laughing with Juls as we lie next to each other on a double wide table and get pampered together. I hadn’t realized that she had made it so that we would be attached at the hip all day, but was instantly grateful. As we are left alone to let our masks dry, I take her silence as my opportunity to spill my juice.
“So, Reese told me last night that Ian talks about you constantly. Just thought you should know.” I crack a smile and hear her react next to me, a soft gasp coming from her lips.
“Oh man, I think I love him, Dylan. Like totally head over heels, I want to spend the rest of my life with him kind of love. Is that crazy? I mean, we’ve only known each other a few months and I’ve already picked out my fucking wedding colors.”
I let out a hearty laugh and grab her hand, squeezing it tightly. “And what color will I be wearing? If you say something pastel I’m pushing you off this table.”
“Oh fuck no. You know I’ve always dreamed of a fall wedding.” She grunts in annoyance. “Jesus, why are we even talking about this? It’s not like Ian is anywhere close to proposing to me. He hasn’t said he loves me, if he even does, which he probably doesn’t. And I am not going to be the fool that says it first and stands there like an idiot waiting for his response. No fucking way.”
“Maybe he’s just waiting for the perfect moment. You said he’s romantic as hell. Maybe he wants to make sure you’re ready to hear everything he has to say.”
The door opens and our two estheticians return as I scrunch my face up and feel the mask crack. Juls sighs. “I don’t know, maybe. Whatever, I refuse to say it first that’s all I’m saying.”
“Me too,” I respond without any thought at all and hear a loud gasp from my right. No. No way. I am not in love with Reese. Nope.
“Oh my…” she starts but I squeeze her hand tightly and hear a yelp instead of the rest of her sentence.
I stammer, “That’s not what I meant. I didn’t, I mean, I don’t. Shit.” I turn my head and see her wide eyes, a smile cracking open her face. “You mention a word of this conversation to Joey and I will tell Ian myself that you’ve picked out the names of your children.” She begins to silently giggle and I slowly join her. Jesus Christ. Note to self, don’t go to spa days with Juls anymore because you lose your fucking mind.
**
We settle in for our massages and once again, I completely forget about the state of my upper body after I strip and sprawl out on my stomach, waiting for my masseuse. “The fuck is that?” My best friend screeches as she settles in next to me. I grunt into the open headrest I’m staring at the floor through. Well I might as well spill it since her reaction can’t be any worse than Reese’s.
I exhale loudly before I explain. “Justin stopped by the shop yesterday, drunk out of his mind, and came on to me. I wasn’t very receptive and he didn’t handle it well.” I can feel her body tense next to me as I keep my head down. Here it comes. If you haven’t had the pleasure of being introduced to hurricane Juls, consider yourself lucky.
“WHAT THE FUCK, DYLAN! That sorry ass mother fucker will wish he was dead when I’m done with him!” Her voice is so loud, I’m certain every person at the spa is getting a taste of this.
“You sound like Reese.”