Imari, Roxy’s masseuse, laughed softly. “They are both the same, I promise.”

“I don’t know,” Roxy said. “This is pretty good.”

Sandrine, Delaney’s masseuse, chimed in. “They aren’t exactly the same. After all, Delaney is pregnant.”

“True,” Imari answered, digging in deeper on Roxy’s shoulders.

Imari’s renewed efforts caused Roxy to sigh some more. As best she could anyway with her face plastered into the padded doughnut that stuck out at the end of the massage table. “Forget pretty good, this is heaven.”

Delaney was on the table next to her since they’d opted for the Besties Package, which was kind of like a couple’s day at the spa, but without romantic overtones. Just a few special provisions for Delaney’s growing baby bump. “Why do you think I’ve been trying to get you here?”

“I was a fool not to listen to you sooner.”

Imari moved on to Roxy’s lower back. “You should come any time you need it.”

“Agreed,” Roxy answered. She really ought to make this a more regular thing.

Delaney spoke again. “Why did you decide to finally do it anyway? And with such short notice?”

“Um…” Roxy hadn’t had a chance to explain yet. When they’d arrived at the spa, they’d been whisked off to a changing area, given robes, cups of specially blended relaxation tea, and then ushered into the massage room for “meditation time,” which was basically listening to pan flute music and whale sounds while not talking. Which, as it turned out, was surprisingly relaxing.

Roxy exhaled another deep sigh as Imari began running her forearm over Roxy’s back in big, sweeping motions. “Let’s just say Alex talked me into it. I’ll explain more later.” Like when they weren’t naked and being rubbed into jelly. Besides that, Roxy liked Imari and Sandrine, and it felt weird talking like they weren’t there.

And just in case they were the chatty type, Roxy didn’t want to risk having her business spread all over town any more than it already had been.

Delaney moaned something back that sounded like she understood.

Then they both went quiet and boneless under the hands of the very capable professionals working on them. Roxy decided about halfway through that getting a massage every couple of months had just become mandatory. Sooner if she could swing it.

Sixty minutes later, she and Delaney were left alone to recover enough to get off the tables and then be escorted to the next room for facials. Roxy wasn’t making a lot of progress getting upright until she heard movement. If Delaney could do it, so could she. Digging deep, she found a thread of consciousness and pulled herself upright, wrapping the sheet around her as she did.

Next to her, Delaney made a noise like an old man trying to hoist himself out of a recliner, which made Roxy laugh. She looked over her shoulder. Delaney had a serious case of bed head and a nice oily sheen from the massage lotion, but her eyes were heavy-lidded with bliss.

Roxy’s brows lifted. “If I look anything like you do, we’re both a hot mess.”

Delaney grinned. “Do I look like I just had a wild night in the sack?”

“A wild night in the sack that was preceded by oil wrestling.”

“That’s the sign of a good massage.” She slid off the table and tucked her sheet in like a long, strapless dress. “Ready for part two?”

Roxy nodded. “Totally.”

“How are you feeling, stress-wise?”

“Stress? What stress? I don’t even know what that word means right now.”

Delaney nodded with great satisfaction. “Excellent. Also, told ya.”

They shrugged their robes on, then dropped the sheets.

Delaney put her hand on the door handle, but didn’t open it. A serious light shone in her eyes. “Have you had any more hallucinations lately?”

Roxy shook her head. “Nothing. I think it was definitely stress.”

“That’s good. That’s really good.” Delaney smiled. “Hey, you should be able to write today off, then.”

Roxy laughed. “Yeah, I don’t think my accountant will go for that.”

Delaney opened the door. “Doesn’t hurt to try.”

The facials were followed by pedicures, and then the whole thing was finished up with a half-hour guided relaxation, during which Roxy drifted off into the most luxurious catnap she’d ever had. By the end of the day, she was cocooned in a warm, happy glow.

At the front desk, she and Delaney were handed complimentary bottles of “energizing water” as they were checked out by Imari and Sandrine.

Roxy held hers up. “I’m not sure I want to drink this. I’m pretty happy just the way I am. I don’t want to ruin this mellow feeling.”

Imari shook her head. “You need to drink a lot of water after a massage. That bottle will get you started. It’s got a lot of good minerals in it. Right from the springs here in the hills. Some of the best water around.”

“Really?” Roxy looked at Delaney. “Why didn’t you tell me? You know I love good water.”

Delaney leaned her hip against the counter as she handed over a black American Express card. “Why do you think we sell it all over town?”

Roxy shrugged shoulders that felt like happy mush. “I just thought it was a tourist thing.”

“Nope. We all drink it.” As if to prove her point, Delaney twisted the top off hers and took a big drink.