"Fine. Do you actually have a meeting now?"
"With my lawyer, yes!" She laughs and shakes her head. "What’s the word on DC? I’m opening the email now to look at the apartments you picked."
"I had them book you a hotel for now. Lisa vetoed a bunch of apartments. She only left one house, though she doubts you'll want it since it's a bit far out. There are four apartments. We have a bet going on which one you’ll pick. The agent’s info is in the e-mail."
"Perfect. Is the transfer paperwork settled?" She nods and writes something down. I can see the tip of her pen moving.
"I’ll ignore the implication that I’d leave anything unfinished with that prick Peter. I love that you’re giving Calama a run for her money, though. I can't wait to see how this plays out. I have to go, Elisa’s waiting. What are your plans for today?"
"A full day at the spa. Phone stays in the room. I’ll see you guys at Christmas."
"Can't wait. Lisa’s bringing an entire wardrobe for you to pick from. Suits, dresses, the works."
"Are you two trying to set me up with a fashion show while you sleep? I’m calling her right now to complain about this 'shamelessness.'"
She laughs, agrees, and hangs up. I close my laptop with a genuine smile, grateful for the time with my friend. I call the front desk to book my spa treatment. I need to disappear for a few hours.
#12
“Burning in a hopeless dream. Hold me when you go to sleep. Keep me safe. We need light. We need love" - Rihanna
After lunch, a text message from Kelsey lights up my phone, and I can’t help but smile.
"I can’t get your smile out of my head."
The rush of flirting is addictive. Despite the butterflies in my stomach, which could easily be mistaken for a flare-up of gastritis, I decide to ignore it. I won't respond yet; as Sarki suggested, making her work for it might be better than giving in to every whim.
I head down to the hotel spa. After an hour-long massage to loosen my iron-tight muscles, I’m leaning back in the whirlpool when I see Vanessa sit down beside me.
"What a surprise to find you here," she says.
"Should I believe your boss didn't send you here to 'coincidentally' run into me?" I ask with a smirk.
She laughs and shakes her head. I wiggle my freshly massaged toes and gesture to the empty corner of the tub.
"She’s a difficult person," Vanessa says, easing into the water. "Difficult schedules, complicated routines. A lot of women approach her for the money, and she’s happy to take advantage of those who want that."
"I’d do the exact same thing in her position. My situation is a little more complicated than that."
"That’s understandable. I tried to stay in a relationship for two years myself. But the person just couldn't grasp my working relationship with Kelsey."
"My ex-husband didn't understand the decorative nature of your position either," I note. "I mean, at first, he played the part well."
"Let me guess? I love trying to figure out what these men do once things go south." She laughs, her legs moving subtly through the water. Her bikini highlights a body that is effortlessly beautiful—well-proportioned and natural.
"Be my guest." A waiter arrives with two glasses of sparkling wine. We toast silently from across the tub. After a sip, she smiles.
"He found a mistress..." I encourage her with a nod. "At his company!"
"No!" I laugh at her frustrated expression. "She was a client of his. Based in Jacksonville."
"Just when you think things can't get any worse, they show you they can go even lower."
"There’s more!" Vanessa signals for me to wait while she takes another sip, her smile full of amusement. "They have a son."
"And you paid for the school?"
"And the health insurance!" We laugh together for a good while, until my cheeks actually hurt.
