This is surreal. I remember opening Saxy Salon almost three years ago, after deciding I didn’t want to stay at my corporate job one more day. It was sucking the life right out of my soul.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the salon feels like yesterday. I’ve accomplished so much in a short period of time, and now the final touches for our soft opening are all in place. The staff is here making sure everything is ready to go. We open the doors in less than two hours. My friends should roll in anytime now.
I check my phone.
Dane:
I’ll see you soon.
I’m all giddy knowing he’ll be on his way shortly to celebrate with me. I feel seen. I feel supported. And definitely not a secret.
It’s still a blur, even with the newspaper articles that came out yesterday. Some of my clients were texting me pictures of the press release and the picture of me in front of the storefront. It brought tears to my eyes, knowing I had built something everyone wants to be a part of.
Refreshments are set up on a long table, accompanied by goodie bags filled with swag. Today is reserved for the VIPs invited privately to the soft launch, and everyone will have a chance to receive two services before the night is over.
In the main room, we have high-top tables for people to stand at and eat their hors d'oeuvres. People will be roaming and taking tours of the salon and spa areas. We have a couple of our yoga teachers who will offer restorative yoga in the large studio.Four seated massage chairs line the back wall, allowing the tours to flow smoothly through the spa.
I hear the front doorbell ring and stroll over to the salon area to open the door.
“Oh, my. Kendall, this is completely transformed into an entertainment space. Great work,” Lane says and hugs me.
“Thank you! You have no idea how excited and nervous I am right now. I’m happy you guys are here to support me tonight.”
Addison is awe-struck as she glances around. “Yeah, this is amazing. Do you still need our help?”
“I think we’re almost ready for everyone. Let me go check to see if the massage chairs are open and ready. You both can start there. I hope I won’t need your help later in the event, but at least you can enjoy the perks of the spa.”
I walk over to the studio, and everyone is ready. Lane and Addison spend their time getting chair massages.
By the time I’m back in the front with Sally, there are already people walking through the door. It’s time to entertain our best customers and favorite people.
The evening continues with a revolving door of people coming and going. This is exactly how I envisioned the soft opening. People with smiles on their faces, raving about the space and services. When they leave Saxy’s, they will rave about it, which will bring in the customer base needed to keep this place busy.
A big smile crosses my face. I’m proud to be the owner of this slice of heaven for the community. When my eyes scan to the door, I end up staring into the caramel brown eyes I’ve been missing all day. There’s no mistaking them. One look at Dane and prickles spread into my hands and throughout my body. Our eyes lock for a second too long, as Jane jabs him with her elbow.
“Ow.” His head whips to his grandmother.
She doesn’t say a word, but a huge smile says everything. Yep, he was caught staring at me. There’s no denying it.
He is dressed in dark grey chinos that fit his body perfectly, paired with a light blue button-down shirt that has a couple of buttons undone at the collar and the sleeves rolled up. Those damn forearms. I don’t know what his workout routine is, but holy hell, the corded muscles in his forearms just might make me drool all over this floor. I casually wipe my mouth just in case.
When I finally stop gawking, I approach them with a bright smile on my face. “Jane, thank you so much for coming.”
She steps forward and gives me a hug. “This place looks like the Ritz. You outdid yourself.”
“There’s an entire team behind me that brought my vision to reality.” I turn to Dane, and he steps closer to me. Jane stares at both of us and smiles. I wonder if he has told her about our date yet.
He wraps his arms around me, picks me up, and twirls me around. “You look gorgeous, and everything looks perfect.”
I enjoy his over-the-top attention on me, expecting nothing less from him.
“Thank you for being here and all your support this week.” Wrapping my arms around him, I kiss him on the neck.
“I haven’t even done much.” He places me on my feet. Staring at me for a few more seconds, we are lost in the moment.
Jane clears her throat. He gives me a kiss on the cheek, and we release each other. If she didn’t know, she knows now from how he just greeted me. It warms my heart that he had no reservations about public displays of affection here in front of everyone.
“I’m happy to bring Gram tonight so she can enjoy the spa services you have on the menu. She was telling me all about them on the car ride here.”
