Several people are moving through the halls, clad in robes as they go into the various rooms for their appointments.
The soft music hums overhead in the dimly lit space. The ambience, right down to the soothing smells, makes for a relaxing day. It’s even relaxing for us, the employees. I don’t know who could have any troubles working here.
“You ready?” I knock on the door, waiting for a response.
“Yes, dear.”
I step inside my room, which is filled with everything I could possibly need for the various kinds of facials. Lotions. Oils. Extraction tools.
“Alright. Let’s get your skin glowing again.”
Dimming the lights, I get to work.
* * *
By the timeI’m stepping inside the house after seven, I’m exhausted. I love what I do, but it doesn’t mean working on people all day is easy. You have to be careful about all sorts of reactions to products and different skin types, so you need to be on your game.
Kicking off my shoes, I follow the sound of voices into the kitchen.
Papers are spread out all over the island. Nan and Eve are sitting at the bar with glasses of wine. Caleb is sitting in Eve’s lap as Bode is hunched over something with a red marker. Pizza boxes sit under the cabinets along the wall.
“Stevie, dear. How was work?” Nan spots me and greets me with a smile.
“Good. Sorry, didn’t mean to disturb.”
Bode’s eyes travel up my body, making me feel things as his gaze locks on to mine.
Stop it, Stevie. Stop feeling things for the sexy man you’re living with.
“Grab some pizza. We’re just going over my travel schedule for the season and planning who will be watching little man.”
Caleb coos as Bode tickles his stomach.
“You sure?” I set my bag on the counter.
“There’s plenty.”
“Thanks.” My stomach gives a rumble as I find a plate and grab a few slices. Biting the tip off, I give a happy sigh.
Veggie pizza. My favorite.
“Okay. We have bridge on the fifteenth that month. We can’t miss it.”
I hold back my laugh. Of course their schedule revolves around bridge.
“Shit. Okay. Well, that will be the last away game on that road trip, so maybe I can see if Harper can watch Caleb that night. I mean, what’s one more kid when you already have three?” Bode laughs.
I set my plate on the granite surface and eye the calendars laid out. “I’m actually free that day if you want me to stay with Caleb.”
Bode shakes his head. “You do not have to help.”
“Hey. I don’t mind helping out. It’s the least I can do.”
“Are you sure? He can be moody when he wants to be.”
I grin at the baby who looks anything but moody. A smile is etched on his face. He’s looking at his dad like he’s his favorite person in the world.
“Yes, he really does look like a handful, Bode,” I tell him, a note of sarcasm in my voice.
