Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
However, this place is casual, and I can get behind a mani, pedi, and massage. It feels like home, which is odd in so many ways, but I don’t really know any other way to describe it.
“Welcome to Healing Hands Day Spa. How can I help you?”
“I’m actually looking for Hannah,” I tell the woman behind the counter.
“I’m Hannah. You must be Faith.”
“Yes. Hi.” I wave awkwardly. She surprises me when she steps out from around the counter and pulls me into a hug.
“Welcome. I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve been given strict instructions for you to spare no expense today.”
I laugh nervously. “I’m not sure what that entails exactly, but I’m in,” I tell her.
“That’s what I like to hear.” She gives me a genuine smile that has me taking a deep breath and dropping my tense shoulders. “Erik gave your Chad my number, and he made it abundantly clear that he wanted you spoiled today.”
“He’s not mine. I mean, we’re not together. We’re just friends,” I ramble.
“You sure about that?” She raises her eyebrow in question. “No man has ever done this for someone who is just his friend. He was adamant that you have the full treatment.”
“That’s just Chad. He’s a great guy, and he knows that I’ve been stressing about finding a job, and he feels guilty that he can’t take time off to visit with me while I’m here.”
Hannah grins, pointing a long-manicured nail at me. “There’s a story there, and luckily we have all day to get to it.”
“There’s not much to tell.”
“Uh-huh.” She gives me a saucy grin. “How about we start with a pedicure? I have a client coming in for a haircut, but he’s quick, and then the rest of the day, you get my full attention.” She points to a pedicure chair. “I’ll get you all set up to soak while I take care of him.”
“Sounds good to me. I’ve got nowhere to be.” I follow her to the line of pedicure chairs and take a seat. She gets the water going and offers me a drink before she rushes to cut the hair of her next client.
Sticking my feet into the warm water, I sigh as the massaging jet hits my arches.
How did Chad know this was exactly what I needed? Reaching into my purse, I pull out my phone and begin to scroll through social media. I’m worried if I don’t keep my mind occupied, I might fall asleep in the chair, and the last thing that I want to do is embarrass myself or Chad like that.
I’m mindlessly scrolling when my eyes scan an ad. I sit up straighter in my chair. It’s a job ad for a kindergarten teacher.
Finally!
Not willing to waste any time, I click on the link and quickly go through the process of applying for the position. I only hope that if they call me for an interview, it’s not before I head back home. I don’t want to leave Chad early. I crave this time with him, but I’ll do what I have to do to get my dream job.
Luckily for me, I have my resume saved in the files on my phone, so I make quick work of filling out the online application and attaching my resume. Once I click Submit, I toss my phone in my bag, feeling an odd sense of relief. This is what I’ve been waiting for. Suddenly, my already amazing day just got a whole lot better.
Relaxing back into the chair, I allow myself to close my eyes, and with that, the tension fades away. I have a good feeling about this one.
“Ready?” Hannah asks, taking a seat on the stool and pulling one foot from the water. We make small talk while she starts on my pedicure.
“So, what’s up with you and Chad?” She smiles at me, and it’s one of those friendly smiles. The kind that instantly puts you at ease and has you wanting to spill your entire life story. Yeah, it was one of those, and that’s why I open my mouth and start from the beginning.
By the time my story ends, she’s sliding back on her stool and pointing for me to move to the table for my manicure. “You know he’s in love with you, right?” she asks, taking her place behind the desk. “Are you doing your nails the same color as your toes?”
I look down at the deep sparkly purple color. “Yes.” Then her previous words register. “I know that he loves me. That’s not the issue. It’s that he’s not in love with me.”
Hannah tosses her head back in laughter. “I disagree. Look, I’ve never seen the two of you together. I don’t know how he looks at you or even if his eyes follow you no matter where you are in the room. However”—she holds up her hand when I start to reply—“I do know that he was insistent that this day be anything and everything you could want.”