The burly woman walked out the spa door as Sabrina rested her elbows on the front counter. Zinnia was one of her favorites. Some clients wanted silence, and Sabrina was okay with that, but it was nice to have open conversations with people. Zinnia liked to ask questions and show genuine interest in what her body needed. The older woman wasn’t quite sixty but still worked a very physical job, and it showed in her stressed and tight tendons. Menopause wasn’t doing her any favors either. Today she had a hot flash on the table, but both women laughedand joked about the natural process. Clients like Zinnia were a big reason Sabrina loved what she did.
Yeah, she couldn’t wait for the next step to put down some real roots in this city. After Cam’s big confession, they’d spent the night making love and talking about future plans. Someday, she wanted to run her own massage business. He wanted to set up his own forge. She couldn’t wait to see a real snow. He said he’d always wanted to tour the Florida Keys. Because he was still dealing with the cast on his upper arm, she treated him to a blow job before mounting him and?—
“What the fuck?”
Instantly, Sabrina’s good mood vanished as Cicely stormed into the front foyer. The spa owner pointed an angry finger down the hallway. “Why is there a pile of dirty towels in room four?”
Sabrina took a calming breath before answering. “There’s only two of us here for now. I asked you earlier if I could put the used towels in room four until I got a chance to wash them. You said yes.”
“I didn’t think they would be there all damn day!”
Another calming breath. “Both of us have been going nonstop since we opened. My last client just left, and we’re closed for the day. I’ll go start a load.”
“Laziness is what that is. You could have put something in over your lunch break.”
The breaths weren’t working. “I did. I’ll transfer that load to the dryer and start another wash load.”
Cicely’s eyes bugged out. “Are you telling me there’s a wet load of laundry in there now?”
“Yes, and it just finished cycling about an hour ago. Not long enough to sour, so it should be fine.”
“You use too many damn towels and sheets. It’s driving my electric up like crazy.”
Sabrina reached for more patience and found the well running low. “I can’t control how many people walk through those doors, and each of them has to get a clean set of linens and a clean towel.”
Cicely rolled her eyes and muttered something under her breath as she stomped away. Sabrina didn’t catch it but decided not to push it. Instead, she focused on her relationship with Cam. Ever since they took it to the next level, it had been one long, sparkly dream. The sex was mind-blowing, but the little moments of intimate connection were better.
Like when he called her to ask if they needed anything from the grocery store.
And took her bike in to fix the V-twin timing.
And cleaned the kitchen after she cooked.
And took out the trash.
And cuddled with her when they watched a Netflix movie.
She knew without a doubt that she loved him. He’d already said he loved her, and he proved it every day by the way he treated her.
Nope, she was not going to let Cicely put a damper on her good mood.
Sabrina calmly walked to the laundry room and switched loads, then returned to the front counter to grab her phone.
“What is this shit?” An iPad clattered next to her as Cicely tossed it onto the glass surface. “Why are all these numbers messed up?”
Sabrina clenched one fist and then forced it to relax as she tamped down on the words she wanted to say. “I don’t know. Stephan keeps up with inventory. I expect the counts aren’t accurate because he’s been at home recuperating.”
“More laziness.”
The dregs of Sabrina’s patience dried up. “Oh. My. God! He wasshot, for chrissakes! That’s got nothing to do with being lazy. What’s the matter with you?”
“Nothing’s wrong with me except I got a business full of people who are useless.”
The sneering tone made Sabrina see red. “Hold on a fucking minute. Stephan getting shot is not some big conspiracy against you.”
Cicely threw her hands up in the air, her braids rattling in tandem. “Who the fuck do you think you are? This ismybusiness, and these aremyclients! But they come in and ask foryouall the fucking time!” She pointed a finger in Sabrina’s face. “Youstolethem from me!”
Sabrina’s brain short-circuited with incredulity. “You’re kidding me, right? You’re the one who books people for appointments. I work on the onesyousend me!”
