Ella eased into the bubbling hot water across from her and Vanessa did a double take.

“Your hair looks great!” she gushed, sitting up so fast that waves erupted around her.

Vanessa took in the new, bright blonde pixie cut, which complemented her best friend’s face perfectly. “I never would have guessed, but it totally works on you.”

Ella’s face was flushed, but Vanessa wasn’t sure if it was from the compliment, or the heat of the water.

“Thanks, I wanted something different,” she explained, bringing a hand up to toy with the tips of her bangs. “When the hairdresser started showing me pictures of this, I wasn’t sure, but she was right. I love it.”

Vanessa had been so busy with work, and with Enrique, that she and Ella had decided to carve out a day just for the two of them. They were going to be pampered and spoiled at the day spa they loved to frequent.

She’d arrived a little early, and had eagerly stripped her clothes and adorned her one-piece suit, so she could soak a little while in the hot tub before her first appointment, a massage.

“So,” Ella began as she settled back against a jet with a sigh. “Tell me the latest and greatest with you and Enrique.”

“Well, he took me to meet his brother, Carlos, who owns a food truck and cooks amazing food,” Vanessa said, submerging herself a little farther. “Then, he showed a totally different side of himself when he flipped his lid over one of our clients flirting with me at an event.”

She leaned in, which caused Ella to lean in closer to her, and looked around to make sure no one was listening to their conversation.

“In the past he’s always let me take charge, but I kid you not, Ella, he marched me right out of the club and up onto one of those fire escapes. We had sex outside, in public … I held on to the railing.”

“What?” Ella shouted, then covered her mouth and looked around guiltily when Vanessa shushed her.

“Sorry,” she whispered, “But, what?”

Vanessa giggled at the look on her friend’s face and replied, “Yeah, I can’t believe it either. At the time, I was so caught up that I didn’t care.”

“Just give me a minute,” her friend said, holding up a finger for emphasis. “Let me get this straight … The last time I had sex, I think I had an orgasm, but I’m not really sure. The guy got up afterwards, said, ‘Thanks, babe,’ and left … But you, the new queen of tying men up and having sex on your desk, got pounded by freakishly hot man on a balcony, while working a club opening. Do I have that right?”

Vanessa tried not to laugh, but she had to know, “How do you not know if you had an orgasm?”

Ella rolled her eyes and answered, “It was one of those times where I felt it building, but it just sort of fizzled out. I never had the ‘big bang.’”

Unable to control it, Vanessa leaned to the side, laughing as Ella glared at her.

“Not all of us have wild and crazy sex lives,” Ella complained with a pout.

“Ms. Vaughn?” the attendant called out, indicating that it was time for her appointment.

“Yes, please get her out of here before I drown her,” Ella said loudly, sticking her tongue out when Vanessa just chuckled.

“See you at facials,” Vanessa said as she rose from the water, ignoring her friend’s attempts to splash her.

In the room, Vanessa took off her swimsuit and hung it up to dry in the bathroom, then dried off before putting on a robe to go out into the massage room. Getting massages was one of her favorite things, and this spa had an ambience that she loved. Fountains filled the corners of the room, tinkling as the water coursed through them. The scent of lavender was discreet, but calming, and the lovely earth tones set the stage beautifully. Just being in the room always made her feel more relaxed, but as she disrobed, laid down on the table, and covered herself with the soft terry blanket, she knew the best was yet to come.

She placed her face in the holder until her head rested comfortably, and closed her eyes. She heard the door open and the soft padding of footsteps, then the slight strains of the violin as the masseuse approached her table.

“The usual, Ms. Vaughn?”

“Please,” she stated, then took a deep breath and let it out slowly, prepared to enjoy the next hour immensely.

The next thing she knew, her masseuse was gently shaking her awake.

Dammit, I fell asleep and missed the whole thing, she realized as the fog began to clear from her mind. Vanessa knew that falling asleep was the bi-product of an excellent massage, but she always hated it when she did. She wanted to be cognizant of every rub and soothing touch.

“I’ll leave a water bottle for you on the table. Come out whenever you’re ready.”

Vanessa waited until the door closed, then got up slowly, grabbing the water as she made her way to the bathroom. Not wanting to put the wet suit back on, she put the robe back on and belted it, then gathered her things and went out to get ready for her next appointment.

She’d barely made it into the waiting area, which was comfort personified with lush sofas and chairs, tables set with fruits and vegetables, as well as flavored waters, and a brightly crackling fire place in the middle of the room, before an attendant asked her to follow her back to the facial room.

Ella was already seated in one of the chairs when she entered, head back and eyes closed, but she must have sensed her friend’s arrival, because she perked up and asked,

“So, Van, this Carlos … Is he single?”