After I check in, she offers me a glass of prosecco. Because I want to have the total spa experience, I accept the glass of sparkling white wine. To my surprise, it’s delicious. I intended to sip it but my excitement causes me to empty the glass quicker.
“If you are accustomed to prosecco, I can prepare you another one,” she says.
“I am,” I lie. I’ve had wine a few times but it’s usually red. This is actually my first time trying prosecco.
“Oh good. My last appointment yesterday evening wasn’t and it hit her so fast. She was tipsy right after her second glass. She wanted a third and I felt bad when I told her no. Thankfully, it wears off just as fast as it hits,” she says before walking off to get my second glass.
When she returns with my second glass, I gladly accept and sip as she escorts me back to a private dressing area. We journey past serene relaxation areas and private treatment rooms. Once inside, I finish my glass then use the restroom. As I’m washing my hands, I feel a little lightheaded but shake it off. It’s minor but I can tell I’m not my normal self.
Carefully, I walk out of the restroom to my assigned locker. I change into the spa robe and slippers and place my items into the bamboo locker. Right when I’m closing the locker, I remember my cell. I need to silence it. When I pull it out, I see a text from Xai. The screen is a little blurry but I can make out his text.
Xai: Enjoy your spa day, pretty lady.
Smiling at my phone, I sigh. “He’s so sweet.”
Chapter 9
Xai
“You do know they’re out there plotting on who’s going to the new location when it opens,” Trista says with a smirk. “And they’re treating Kadean like a damn king ’cause he got them thinking he’s gonna be running it.”
Real shit, in a perfect world, my little brother would be running my second location. He would also have his shit together and wouldn’t be stressing me out every damn day. But as it stands, he’s still living in my house, still eating my damn food, and still coming to work when he feels like it. So unfortunately, I can’t trust my business with him.
“Before he can manage anything, he needs to work a full schedule at least once,” I say.
She steps further into my office, then sits down in the chair in front of my desk. When she does this, I know she really needs to talk. “What’s wrong now, Trista?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” she says with a slight laugh. “I was just hoping I can actually go to the new location. It’s only seventeen minutes from my place and I drive over thirty minutes to get here every day, and after work, it takes me almost forty with traffic.”
“Is this about money?” I ask in a stern voice. It’s in total contradiction of how I feel because I already have plans for Trista and I know it’s something she will like.
“No. Well, not really. A girl can always use more money, but it’s really about the time and distance. You know I’m back in school and I’m trying to get this associate’s degree online. All the time I have at home to study is much appreciated and needed.”
“You’re getting a business degree, right?”
“Yeah, just a two-year degree but I may go back later and get my bachelor's degree.”
“That would really help with your new job even though it’s not required.”
“New job?” she questions as she straightens her posture.
“Yeah. Manager at the new location. I need you to start looking for your replacement at the front here and for front desk help there.”
“Xai! Xai! Are you fucking with me? Sorry, I mean are you for real right now?” she exclaims.
“I’m not fucking with you, Trista. I’m deadass. You’re the only person I would trust to manage. The new position will start June first, which gives us a month till opening. That’s enough time to transition and get the new people in place.”
“Xai! You’re gonna make me cry. Oh my God; thank you so much! Thank you.”
“I’m serious. You earned this. Hell, you’re here more than me,” I say and she laughs while wiping her tears.
“I just can’t believe it.”
“Believe it. You can post on social media and the website about the two openings for the front desks. Also go ahead and post for the washers and detailers. I need to start looking at all staff.”
“I’ll post today,” she says excitedly. “And since you mentioned more money, how much is my raise?”
“Managing is more responsibility,” I begin and she shakes her head. “You have to help with scheduling and managing those knuckleheads out there.”
