CHAPTER TEN

I woke up feeling just as confused as I did before I passed out last night. Plus on top of that fun emotion, I was also completely exhausted after the shitty night's sleep I got. His words played on repeat in my mind¸ seeping into my dreams and leaving me full of questions. Questions I wanted desperately to have answered by him but didn't have the guts to ask. I didn't get it. Why would having a massage from a man bother him? Massages weren't sexual at all in that setting. I'm sure they could be if Reese was to give me one, and the thought of that gave me chills, but at the spa I was currently driving to with Juls? No f**king way.

I've had men give me massages before and I enjoyed them a bit more than women because they were stronger and their hands were bigger. I liked my muscles to be worked deeply and not with little dainty woman hands. But never, not ever have I once felt anything during a massage from a man other than pure relaxation. Christ, most of the time I passed out and had to be woken up, drool sticking to my face and looking like a hot mess.

I grunt as I look out the window. I'm tense and anxious and I need to f**king relax.

"You're awfully quiet, sweets. Not looking forward to our day of beauty?" Juls asks after giving me my alone time to contemplate what the hell happened last night. Not that it helped any.

I sigh heavily. "Something strange happened last night with Reese and I'm not really sure what to make of it." I turn my attention to her. "Do you know if my massage is booked with a man or a woman?"

She laughs a bit. "Uh oh. Did someone voice his opinion of not wanting another man touching you?"

"Sort of? I don't know. He said he'd prefer if it was a woman and when I asked him why it mattered so much because it wasn't like I was getting a happy ending out of it, he said that it didn't matter and then he left." I rest my head back and rack my brain. "I just don't get why he cares if this is just sex between us."

She makes a sound of amusement before answering. "You, my lovely best friend, are an idiot."

"What? Why?" The car slows as she pulls into the parking lot of Tranquility Day Spa and my stomach tightens. Fuck. Did I really want to go through with this if it was booked with a guy and I couldn't switch it? Did I even want a massage anymore?

She pulls into a parking spot, shuts the car off, and turns towards me in her seat. "Dylan, seriously? What if Reese was the one getting a massage and some f**king hot chick was rubbing her hands all over his body and giving him pleasure. Would you be okay with that?"

Well shit, I didn't think about it like that. "No, I definitely wouldn't be okay with that." I cover my face quickly and rub it. "Damn it. I'm such an ass**le."

She laughs and pulls my hands down. "No, you're not. You're expecting him to not care about you because what you two are doing is what you keep foolishly referring to as casual. But you're very hard not to care about." Her thumb softly strokes my hand and I smile weakly at her. "Even if you guys are just having fun, he's allowed to want to keep you to himself and so are you." God, I miss these talks with Juls. She always makes perfect sense out of any situation. She stops lovingly caressing me and slaps my hand, causing me to shriek. "Now buck up and put your girl talk game face on. You are mine today."

**

The massage was, of course, booked with a man but I quickly protested and was able to switch to an available woman that had a client cancel on her. I relaxed immediately after that was taken care of and enjoyed my facial first, laughing with Juls as we lie next to each other on a double wide table and get pampered together. I hadn't realized that she had made it so that we would be attached at the hip all day, but was instantly grateful. As we are left alone to let our masks dry, I take her silence as my opportunity to spill my juice.

"So, Reese told me last night that Ian talks about you constantly. Just thought you should know." I crack a smile and hear her react next to me, a soft gasp coming from her lips.

"Oh man, I think I love him, Dylan. Like totally head over heels, I want to spend the rest of my life with him kind of love. Is that crazy? I mean, we've only known each other a few months and I've already picked out my f**king wedding colors."

I let out a hearty laugh and grab her hand, squeezing it tightly. "And what color will I be wearing? If you say something pastel I'm pushing you off this table."

"Oh f**k no. You know I've always dreamed of a fall wedding." She grunts in annoyance. "Jesus, why are we even talking about this? It's not like Ian is anywhere close to proposing to me. He hasn't said he loves me, if he even does, which he probably doesn't. And I am not going to be the fool that says it first and stands there like an idiot waiting for his response. No f**king way."

"Maybe he's just waiting for the perfect moment. You said he's romantic as hell. Maybe he wants to make sure you're ready to hear everything he has to say."

The door opens and our two estheticians return as I scrunch my face up and feel the mask crack. Juls sighs. "I don't know, maybe. Whatever, I refuse to say it first that's all I'm saying."

"Me too," I respond without any thought at all and hear a loud gasp from my right. No. No way. I am not in love with Reese. Nope.

"Oh my…" she starts but I squeeze her hand tightly and hear a yelp instead of the rest of her sentence.

I stammer, "That's not what I meant. I didn't, I mean, I don't. Shit." I turn my head and see her wide eyes, a smile cracking open her face. "You mention a word of this conversation to Joey and I will tell Ian myself that you've picked out the names of your children." She begins to silently giggle and I slowly join her. Jesus Christ. Note to self, don't go to spa days with Juls anymore because you lose your f**king mind.

**

We settle in for our massages and once again, I completely forget about the state of my upper body after I strip and sprawl out on my stomach, waiting for my masseuse. "The f**k is that?" My best friend screeches as she settles in next to me. I grunt into the open headrest I'm staring at the floor through. Well I might as well spill it since her reaction can't be any worse than Reese's.

I exhale loudly before I explain. "Justin stopped by the shop yesterday, drunk out of his mind, and came on to me. I wasn't very receptive and he didn't handle it well." I can feel her body tense next to me as I keep my head down. Here it comes. If you haven't had the pleasure of being introduced to hurricane Juls, consider yourself lucky.

"WHAT THE FUCK, DYLAN! That sorry ass mother f**ker will wish he was dead when I'm done with him!" Her voice is so loud, I'm certain every person at the spa is getting a taste of this.

"You sound like Reese."

"Fuck that. Reese can have him after I get my hands on him first. No guy should ever put his hands on a girl." She pauses and I hear her tense breathing. "He hasn't, Dylan please tell me he's never done this before."

I push up and rest on my elbows. "Are you serious? He has never touched me before, ever. I would have killed him and you know it. Now can we drop this please? I want to relax and you freaking out next to me isn't helping."

"I'm going to cut his balls off and mail them to his mother." Juls scowls at me as the door opens and two older ladies come in. She settles down on her stomach and curses under her breath.

"Oh my. Hunny, those bruises." The one masseuse states and I grunt, resting my head back down.

"Yeah yeah. Just work my lower back and my legs please," I say flatly and in a way to let everyone in that f**king room know that I am done talking about this. Because I am. If Justin ever touched me again, I wouldn't have to worry about Reese getting into trouble for retaliating or Juls ripping his heart out of his chest, because I would end him myself.

**

"I wanted to make a quick stop before we went to lunch. That okay with you?" she asks after pulling onto the highway. My eyes are heavy and I feel completely relaxed after our day together, which is nice considering how stressed out I was when the day started.

"Yeah I don't care. Hey, have you heard from Joey at all? I know he's spending the weekend with Billy but, when the hell have you ever known him to not call one of us immediately after he gets nailed?"

She laughs. "I think Joey does the nailing, right? Isn't he the man in his relationships or whatever the f**k?"

"I don't know. Do they switch it up?" I glance out my window at the passing cars. "I mean, do they take turns doing the nailing?"

"I don't think so. Wouldn't it be like you switching with Reese or me switching with Ian?" She pulls off the highway and down a familiar street, turning into a large parking lot that overlooks a view of athletic fields and basketball courts. Pulling behind a tree, she puts the car in park and turns to me, smiling wide.

"Yeah I guess you're right. Umm, what are we doing here exactly?" I gaze out the front window and see the crowds of people in front of us. There is a large playground that is filled with kids and their parents, a soccer game going on in the middle of the large field, and a group of men playing basketball. My eyes widen and I grip the seat. Oh my.

"I thought we'd stop and enjoy this beautiful day for a second before we stuff our faces. See anything you like?"

I spot him right away, almost instantly. Shirtless in loose fitting black running shorts, Reese dribbles the ball between his legs while Ian guards him, stepping back slightly before gracefully pushing the ball into the air and whooshing it through the net. Fuck me he looks edible. I hear my breathing quicken as my eyes take in his gleaming muscles, drenched in sweat and practically calling out to me. Touch me, Dylan. You know you want to.

"Holy hell." I slam my head back and hear her giggle. "I can avoid lunch entirely if you'd like. Who the hell needs food anyway?" My voice is thick and it takes me a minute to swallow the lump in my throat.

"Seriously, what the hell is food?" she says through a laugh and I feel my body temperature rise as Reese steals the ball from another guy and goes up to dunk it. "Wanna get a closer look?"

My eyes widen. "I don't know, he's so pretty from right here. I think if I get any closer I might pass out." That and the fact that it will probably take an army to pry me off his body.

"Yeah I know what you mean. Christ, look at Ian. If he keeps moving his hips like that I might come right here next to you." She unbuttons the top of her blouse and sighs heavily. "How's the sex with Reese anyway? Amazing?"

"Amazing doesn't even touch the surface with him." I moan softly as he goes up and blocks another man's shot. "It's like his body is specifically wired to bring me to orgasm, and I mean every part of his body." My eyes go straight to his lips as he bites on his bottom one. "His mouth is insane."

Juls covers her mouth and giggles. "Fuck, I know what you mean. Ian is obsessed with eating me out. He has to do it every time he sees me or it's like he can't function properly. And Christ almighty is he good at it."

I glance over at her. "Who would have thought a bunch of accountants could write a book on o**l s*x." My eyes flick back to Reese as he dunks the ball again. "Jesus Christ, he's good looking. It really is unfair to the rest of the male population."

"Ooohhh. Send him a text message. That way we can see his face when he reads it. I f**king love that. Seeing a guy's reaction to you when he doesn't know you're looking. So f**king hot."

I smile and pull my phone out of my purse, thinking for a moment before my thumbs begin to move.

Me: Hi, handsome. Just so you know, I had a wonderful massage from a very strong woman named Betsy today. However, I would like another one from you if you're still offering. Does yours come with an orgasm?

I press send and watch as Reese after a moment turns towards a pile of clothes that are tucked against the chain link fence. Holding up a finger, he jogs over to it and searches around before he lifts out his phone. His chest is rapidly rising and falling and his hair is drenched, sticking out all over the place. I can only see his profile and bite my lip as his turns up slightly.

"Ah. Look at that. So worth it," Juls says and I completely agree.

Dropping his phone on his clothes, he jogs back over to the game with his beautiful grin. My phone beeps and I hold it up for us both to read.

Reese: Hi, love. I'm glad you enjoyed your girls day and yes, the massage from me that you will get very soon definitely comes with an orgasm. Pervert.

I giggle and turn to see the strangest look on my best friend's face.

"What?" I ask, seeing her eyes beginning to water. Oh Christ.

"He calls you love? Ah hell, Dylan, I don't know who's more romantic." She wipes under her eyes and I feel mine well up. "You better hold on tight to that one, sweets."

"Yeah, tell me about it," I say and blink rapidly, trying to dry mine up.

Juls backs out of the parking space and drives through the lot, slowing down and staring past me through my window. "Hey, isn't that one of the desk girls from their work? She looks really familiar."

My eyes follow hers and I recognize the girl immediately, the hair a dead giveaway. She's sitting on a bench partially obstructed by a tree and staring in the direction of the basketball game. "That's Reese's receptionist. Fucking bitch. She was so rude to me when I went to kill him on Monday, acting all possessive and catty. Why the f**k is she here?" Part of me wants to hop out of the car and run straight into his arms, declaring in front of her and whoever else wanted to watch that he is mine. But I don't. Instead I just glare at her profile.

"I don't know but she's staring at them like a creep. Redheads freak me the f**k out."

"Me too. Come on, let's go eat."

Now that I seem to have not completely blown it with Reese, my appetite is back with a vengeance. Although, it is still a bit unsettling seeing his receptionist eye the lot of them up like she wants to eat them. Maybe she's dating one of the other three guys? I make a mental note to ask Reese about it next time we see each other which I decide will not be until Tuesday. I can't see him every day. I'm already struggling with keeping my feelings and emotions out of this thing between us enough as it is.

**

Monday morning came quicker than I would have liked. I passed out early on Sunday and slept soundly, not hearing my phone ring when Joey called at 2:00 a.m. Noticing the missed call when my alarm goes off at 5:00 a.m, I dial him quickly, putting it on speaker phone as I get into my running gear.

"I have news, cupcake. I'm on my way though so meet me out front."

"Okay." I end the call and slip on my sports bra, tank top, and running shorts before popping into my Nikes. Grabbing my phone and my keys, I run downstairs and out the front door, locking up behind me as I begin to stretch.

It's already humid out and my top begins to stick to me in the most uncomfortable way possible. Summers in Chicago can be brutal, and when you start sweating immediately after stepping outside in the early morning hours, you know you're in for a hot one. This was one of the reasons why I didn't understand the appeal for a summer wedding, at least not here anyway. Maybe somewhere with no humidity that didn't turn your hair into a frizz fest after spending hours on making it look nothing less than perfect. I attended an outdoor wedding a few summers ago where I appallingly watched my beautiful three-tiered white chocolate creation melt in front of everyone at the reception. It was awful. Luckily, the bride thought it was hilarious and didn't care one way or the other because she was so deliriously happy to be married to her husband. Juls worked that wedding with me and told me that the couple had only been dating nine weeks before he proposed to her and at the time, I remember thinking that there was no way in hell that marriage was going to last. How could anyone know without a doubt that they wanted to be with each other forever after only being together a few months? Juls agreed with me, saying that the bride had mentioned how strongly her family was against the marriage but she didn't care. She told my best friend that she didn't want to wait any longer to start her life with him and that when it's right, it's just right. The past three summers on their anniversary, I've gotten a thank you card from the bride for helping make their day so special. And now look at Juls. She's only known Ian a few months and is crazy in love with him. And look at you, Dylan. No, don't look at me. Nothing to see here.

My eyes flick towards the pavement as Joey's tall frame comes jogging in my direction. Stopping in front of me and pulling his knee to his chest, he looks giddy beyond his usual giddy self.

"Are you going to make me ask?" I question, stretching my arms over my head.

He smiles and switches legs. "Billy asked me to move in with him."

Whoa. "What? Are you serious? That's crazy. What did you say?"

"Yes. Obviously." He jumps up and down on his feet and motions to me that he is ready to start running.

"Obviously? Joey, do you even really know this guy? He could cut out your organs and sell them on eBay. He could have a weird fetish."

He shakes his head. "I know him as well as you know Reese and you're in love with him."

Fucking Juls. Jesus Christ, I needed some new friends. "I cannot believe she told you that. I will cut a bitch next time her skinny ass walks into my shop." Realizing that Joey has stopped running, I glance back and see his expression. Motherfucker. He is one sneaky bitch.

"I f**king knew it. You love him, Dylan. Oh my God, this is fantastic." Running up to me, he grabs my shoulders and pulls me against his already drenched shirt.

"Gross you're all sweaty. And I am not in love with him. Juls told me that she was in love with Ian and I said something about maybe, possibly, doubtfully one day being in love with Reese. That's it. End of discussion."

Stepping back and holding me at arm's length, he studies me for a moment before he speaks. "Okay, whatever. But I think I'm in love so can we focus on that f**king weirdness for a second?"

We hit our stride and I let Joey tell me all about how he's seen Billy practically every night since they met at the wedding and that he's never felt anything even close to this before, which I knew already. Joey was never shy about his feelings towards his hookups and always shared more information than I would care to know most of the time. He told me that they were hanging out at Billy's last night, lounging and watching television together when he just came out and asked Joey to move in and without hesitation, Joey said yes. He said that he didn't have to think about it, that he knew he wanted to be with Billy every free second he had and that he had never been this happy before with just one person. I was speechless. I was literally without speech. This was Joey Holt we were talking about here. The man who went through other men like he was going for some kind of record. He once hooked up with three guys in one night at a club and did it without them knowing about each other. His longest running relationship was five minutes. And now after a little over a week of knowing somebody, he's wifing up? I wasn't sure whose wedding I would be getting fitted for first, Juls' or Joey's.

I called Mrs. Frey that afternoon, confirming the details of her anniversary cake she wanted me to create for her since I missed our meeting on Tuesday. She sweetly asked me how I was feeling and told me how excited she was to be celebrating fifty years of marriage with her husband. Fifty years. I couldn't even imagine. She was a bit undecided about her cake flavors, knowing only that her husband wanted a chocolate cake but not having any other preferences. I smiled to myself when I asked her if the two of them liked mint chocolate and she squealed into the phone. Suggesting my newly discovered chocolate peppermint frosting and telling her how absolutely decadent it was, she settled on her cake and I reassured her it would be ready for pickup on Friday.

After ending her call, I slip my phone out of my pocket and scroll to the contact info of a certain icing lover.

Me: Guess what kind of cake I get to make for someone's anniversary? I'll give you a hint. It's a flavor that you seem to be quite fond of.

I walk into the back as Joey helps a customer and begin pulling out ingredients. I have a good amount of baking to do tonight to prepare for the meeting I'm supplying tomorrow and want to start on it as soon as possible. I decide to make an assortment of muffins, blueberry, poppy seed, and my banana nut ones, some apple turnovers, and a variety of fruit and cheese danishes. The excitement of seeing Reese is almost palpable at this point and I need to stay busy. Placing my mixer on the work top, my phone beeps and I run over to where I had laid it down on the other side of the table.

Reese: Could it be a cake with a certain hot pink frosting that I licked off you?

Me: That's the one. I don't think I'll look at that frosting the same again. Or my work top for that matter.

Reese: Well I'll definitely never look at my couch the same. How's your day going?

I giggle and pull the baking flour, sugar, and salt off the shelf.

Me: Good. Busy like every Monday. I'm going to be slammed all night making the breakfast treats for tomorrow. How's your day?

Reese: Full of meetings that I'm having trouble focusing in. My mind is elsewhere.

Me: Oh is that right? And where is that dirty mind of yours right now?

I grab several mixing bowls and baking sheets and spread them out in front of me as I let my own mind wander elsewhere.

Reese: Well, it's imagining you spread out in front of me wearing a dress with nothing underneath it, your legs open and my face buried between them. But earlier, I was f**king you on my desk, against my window and in my chair. I've had a very unproductive day.

"Shit." Note to self, never read a dirty text from Reese while opening a bag of flour, which I am now currently covered in. "Nice one, Dylan."

"You all right, cupcake?" Joey yells from up front as I quickly dust myself off.

"Yeah. Reese is also really good at the explicit text messaging. Like really good."

"God damn it, Billy."

I laugh under my breath at Joey's comment as I sweep up the flour I've just spilled everywhere. Wiping my hands off on my apron, I grab my phone and quickly reply.

Me: Well, I think we should be able to make at least one of those things happen tomorrow. That big dick better be ready for me.

Reese: My dick and I can't wait. See you tomorrow, love.