Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64847 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64847 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“Except that it’s right across the street from your office, and you do love that risotto.”
He shrugged and told me, “It’s time for a change.”
After dinner and several beers, Aleksei changed into blue basketball shorts and flip flops. Along with our white t-shirts, we were now dressed exactly the same, and he chuckled when I pointed that out. “The outfit makes sense for where we’re going,” he said, “especially the thongs.”
“Thongs?”
“Yes, these slip-on sandals.”
“Those are called flip flops. Thongs are a type of underwear that give you a permanent wedgie.”
He grinned and said, “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but don’t stop. It’s very entertaining.” Then he kissed my forehead before calling us a cab.
I teased, “You don’t want Reuben to know you’re going to a massage parlor?”
“My driver is on vacation this week. I’d planned to drive us myself, but I’m feeling that fourth beer.”
He took a brown fanny pack from his hall closet and put it on, and I stared at it for a beat before asking, “What exactly is happening here?”
“What do you mean?”
“The fanny pack. Explain yourself.”
“I don’t know if we’ll have a locker, or where we’ll be expected to put our things. This way, I can keep my wallet and phone with me.”
I nodded. “Very practical.”
“You don’t like it.”
“I never said that, and I fully respect your fashion choices.” I couldn’t keep the amusement out of my voice.
“Say what you want, but it might come in handy.”
“Absolutely. And really, I’m just grateful you’re not wearing socks with your thongs.” He rolled his eyes, but he was smiling.
Pretty soon, the cab arrived and whisked us to a part of town I wasn’t really familiar with. After we stepped onto the sidewalk, Aleksei and I both studied the spa for a few moments while trying to make up our minds about it. The front of the building was a little funky, and the neon sign in the tinted front window simply said, “massage.”
“Just so you know, I checked several other places before finding this one, but everything was booked on such short notice,” he said.
“I really don’t mind that it’s not fancy.”
“As long as it’s not unsanitary once we get inside, I’m willing to keep an open mind.”
The small lobby was done up with faux-Japanese accents, which seemed a little cheesy, but it was also neat and tidy. The long-haired guy behind the counter greeted us warmly, and after Aleksei paid in cash—which was definitely a thing with him—the man said, “You’re welcome to begin and end your session in your private hot tub. A staff member will come and get you when it’s time for your couples massage.” Then he leaned in, as if he was confiding in us, and grinned as he said, “You’re booked with Ranger and Blaze. They’re fabulous.”
When he turned to get us some towels, I whispered to Aleksei, “I want Blaze. He sounds hot.” He was nice enough to chuckle at my terrible joke.
We were issued one towel each, along with a locker key, which hung from a coiled plastic bracelet. Then the receptionist gestured at a doorway covered by a curtain and said, “The changing room is right through there, and you’re in grotto B. Just follow the signs.”
The changing area consisted of a bench and four lockers, which looked like they’d been upcycled from a condemned high school. We hung our clothes inside and wrapped the towels around our hips. They were on the skimpy side and Aleksei was a big guy, so his towel held on with only an inch or two of overlap.
He examined the locker and frowned. “I could break into this using nothing more than a stick of gum and a paper clip. Put your valuables with mine.” When I stuck my phone, wallet, and keys in the fanny pack, he looked smug. “See? This is coming in handy.” After he zipped it up, he draped it over his shoulder.
“Yes, it’s both fashionable and practical. Tell me, what would the stick of gum do for you in terms of breaking into these lockers?”
“I could chew the gum while absconding with everyone’s valuables.” I chuckled at that as I followed him out of the changing area and down a hallway.
We passed a couple of doorways with curtains in place of doors, then pushed another curtain aside and went out onto a tiny, covered patio. The back wall was an ivy-covered fence, and two plastic chairs sat beside a redwood hot tub. Another wall was covered in a mural that at first glance looked like a “Where’s Waldo” type of situation.
As we paused to contemplate the wisdom of getting in that water, I stuck my hand in and said, “It’s very hot, so we’re probably not going to die of salmonella, or listeria, or whatever people get from dirty hot tubs.”