Fair enough. To be clear, is this a polite brush-off or…a potential raincheck?
Kendall:
Potential raincheck. I haven’t decided if dinner with a known one-night-stand guy is a brilliant move or a terrible lapse in judgment.
Dane:
Then let me surprise you. I promise not to seduce you over appetizers.
Kendall:
You’re a real charmer ;)
Dane:
What about next weekend?
Kendall:
We’ll see. Ask me again next Friday.
Dane:
I'm setting my alarm to text you next Friday.
The rest of the day and weekend were spent finalizing the details with Blake for the spa. The few built-ins and a couple of minor things. I won’t be seeing clients until after next week. I'm thankful for the stylists who work here; they are always willing to help. My girlfriends came to me on Sunday for lunch; otherwise, we wouldn’t have seen each other. I don’t think I would have eaten if they hadn’t shown up.
Then, during the week, there were more items to finish. Blake worked on the accent wall in the meditation room. Then he did all the walls in the Himalayan salt cave, along with the floors and built-in benches. We selected all the zero-gravity chairs that are in one area of the room. Along the wall, a row of leather chaise loungers is situated. Outside the room, there are built-in storage areas where guests can leave their shoes and grab a blanket.
Blake did all the flooring throughout in a deep chestnut, including all the massage rooms. We decorated each room with bookshelves, essential oils, diffusers, and plants. The more the spa vision comes to life, the more excited I get. All the details are coming into focus as each room is finished for the opening celebrations.
Standing in the salon, I scan the space, and I can hardly believe it’s been three years since the salon opened, and now the grand opening for the spa is just a couple of weeks away. My dreams are coming true. I didn’t think this would be possible for at least another two years, but business is exceptional, and the demand for a spa was too strong not to pursue it now.
One of my stylists comes up to me and says, “This is going to be an amazing grand opening.”
“Yes, it is,” I say with a bright smile.
My next client walks through the door. “How’s your day, Ms. Jane?” She was one of my very first clients and has appointments every two weeks. Many of our current clients are referrals she has given to the salon. Our number one cheerleader.
“I’m doing well. Your grand opening is hastily approaching. Everything all set?”
“It’s going to be a day to remember. Food, drinks, ten-minute chair massages, and tours of the spa. I think you’ll love the Himalayan salt cave.”
“That all sounds like what this town needs. You’re really making a difference in this community.”
“Thank you. It’s home, and supporting the economy is a bonus to the services we provide. Will you be coming out for the soft opening? We would love for you to be here.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Do you need any help around here? I have a grandson who would be more than happy to do whatever you need.” She pats me on the arm.
I cover her hand with mine. “Oh, that’s really kind of you. I have some furniture arriving today, so yes, I could probably use the help.”
“Okay, you have my number. Call me when it arrives, and I’ll make sure he’s here. You two should go out for dinner sometime.” She smirks at me with her eyes lighting up.
Nothing like adding a little blind date action into the conversation. She’s the sweetest, so how do I let her down easy?
“That is so kind of you to think of me. But I’m not in a place to date right now. The spa has me working a lot these days.”
“You two would get along really well. He says the same thing, and you can talk about how to have a better work/life balance.”
