My eyes blur with unshed tears. He makes me feel like I’m his, even though I’m not. “I needed this time with you. Something as small as a getaway and teaching me to ride your bike. It means a lot.” Being a doctor, I’m always the person helping others. I’ve never had someone who is genuinely happy just making me happy. We’re like a jigsaw puzzle; when we’re together, it feels like we’re meant to be.
I snuggle into his shirt. “I don’t want to go back,” I whisper. Here in our little bubble, I’m happy, but why does it have to come with a price? Why do I have to have feelings for a man I’m not supposed to date?
He cups my chin in his hand and lifts my face to meet his gaze. His eyes swirl with a mix of emotions that reflect my own. He leans down and kisses me on the lips. The kiss is tender, and he holds on longer than normal.
“I want to stay too... but we can’t.” His voice softens at the end.
Dread cuts to the bone. I clear my throat. “I know.” This short bit of time we’ve granted each other is going to make going home so much worse. I can’t jump into his arms again. We can’t kiss or have sex. He gives me one more quick peck on the lips, and we linger in each other’s arms before we walk back to our room in silence, holding hands.
We pack our bags and leave, but my chest aches with a new pain—a realization of what we can never have. Tears fall while I’m driving to the day spa.
I park outside, debating whether to go in. I don’t want to disappoint Sophie. She’s trying to do something nice, getting us all out to relax together. I take a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts and emotions. I look in the mirror, run my fingers through my hair, and wipe my eyes. When I step out, Sophie is standing by the front door with a hand on her hip. I fake a smile.
She gives me a pointed stare. “I didn’t think you were going to get out of the car.”
Me neither. “No, I was coming in.”
“You’re the last one. The rest of the girls are up in the spa.”
Once I get close to her, she grasps my arms and frowns. “What’s wrong?” she asks with concern.
Oh, damn it. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit!” she calls me out.
I chuckle, but it’s flat.
“Are you crying over a man? Is it McDaddy?” she asks, her face twisting into a funny expression.
“No, it’s not McDaddy.”
“So itisa guy... Just because they’re good for your hole doesn’t mean they’re good for your soul.”
I burst out laughing. It’s exactly what I needed. “True that.”
“Come on, let’s go get you a facial, a massage, a blowout, nails... the whole works.”
I’ve never been a real girly girl. I’ve never been to a spa. Occasionally I get my eyebrows waxed, but that’s my limit for beauty treatments. Still, a facial and massage sound heavenly.
Once inside the spa, I’m ushered into a room, where I get into a robe. I say hello to everyone and take a seat beside Ivy and Zara.
“Put your feet in the water. We’re getting pedicures,” says Ivy.
The water is warm and contains rose petals. Sophie comes to my side with a glass of champagne. I was going to sip it, but screw it—I down the lot. I feel all eyes on me.
Sophie laughs. “My girl’s thirsty. Don’t worry, I’ll get you another one.”
Ivy leans in close to me while everyone goes back to their conversations. “Are you okay?” she asks quietly.
I shake my head and lower my voice. “I spent the night with...”
Her eyes light up, but once she sees my sadness, she asks, “What happened?”
“It was amazing.” Too good. Damn him and his rock-hard body! “Coming back to reality really sucks!”
“Oh.” She sighs and squeezes my hand. “What’s going to happen now? Does it change anything?”
I frown. “No, it won’t.” I take my new glass of champagne and sip it.
