Bria was impressed. She locked the door behind them. The driver opened the car door for them, and they sat in back on plush leather seats.
âI could get used to this,â Bria said.
Nya gave her a dimpled smile, and Chance nodded in agreement. Bria enjoyed the smooth ride as she checked out the amenities. She noticed that there was a wet bar, TV, and DVD player. She wished that Spade could have been there with her. Then she made up in her mind that she was not going to go there.
She did not converse much during most of the ride, because Nya chatted enough for everyone.
They arrived at The Spa Factory an hour and a half early to ensure that everything was in place. Bria couldnât believe her place of business was about to be open for business.
The driver opened the door for them, exposing them to the red carpet that led to the entrance of the building and a huge red ribbon wrapping the front like a present. Photographers were positioned outside waiting to snap pictures of the guests. They stopped and posed for the cameras. Bria felt like a celebrity. She used to fantasize about walking red carpets with Spade.
When she went inside Bria met with her office manager, Dani, who oversaw the setup. Dani was in her late twenties, had an MBA, and five years of spa-related experience. She looked very stylish, yet professional.
âWere there any problems?â Bria queried as she took in her surroundings. Flickering candles strategically placed throughout the room emitted a very pleasing scent of cinnamon with a touch of vanilla.
âNot a one.â
Bria felt confident that that was true because she compared Dani to a quiet storm. Dani appeared nonthreatening and unassuming, but if you underestimated her, you were in for a rude awakening.
âGlad to hear it.â
Bria left her alone and went to check on the food, catered by Justinâs Restaurant & Bar. She was pleased with the display consisting of catfish fritters, baked crab cakes, chicken saté, and New Zealand BBQ lamb chops.
The feast smelled delicious and looked appetizing. Another table consisted of fresh fruit, raw vegetables, an assortment of cheeses, and a variety of dips. A chef dressed in traditional chefâs attire stood behind a table prepared to carve a succulent-looking roast. The waitstaff and bartender wore traditional white tuxedo shirts and black bow ties with matching vests and slacks, which also met with her approval. Bria loved it when a plan came together.
A short while later Briaâs parents arrived, and she greeted them with hugs. Her dad looked distinguished in his tuxedo with a black and gold designed vest to spruce it up. His salt-and-pepper hair, moustache, and laugh lines added character, Bria thought.
Bria didnât get many opportunities to see her parents dress up, so when they did she marveled in it. Her mom looked stunning too with her hair loosely pulled up into a bun, a perfect fit for the gold suit accentuated by rhinestone buttons on the jacket. Bria thought her mother looked sophisticated and classy. She represented women of a certain age well.
âWhereâs Spade?â her mom asked, looking around the room.
Briaâs heart sank. She wanted to slink into the corner and disappear into the wall. Clearing her throat, she responded, âHe, um, had a conflict, but he sent some gorgeous flowers.â
âOh.â She sounded surprised and disappointed. âI guess this is what youâll have to look forward to being married to a musician.â
Her motherâs words felt like a stingray stabbing her in the chest and piercing her heart. Bria checked her dressy designer watch that her parents had given her for her twenty-first birthday. They told her that every woman should have some good pieces of jewelry, especially her timepiece.
âTime to meet the public,â she said.
Bria and Nya stepped outside. As the invited guests started arriving, they greeted everyone with
âI could get used to this,â Bria said.
Nya gave her a dimpled smile, and Chance nodded in agreement. Bria enjoyed the smooth ride as she checked out the amenities. She noticed that there was a wet bar, TV, and DVD player. She wished that Spade could have been there with her. Then she made up in her mind that she was not going to go there.
She did not converse much during most of the ride, because Nya chatted enough for everyone.
They arrived at The Spa Factory an hour and a half early to ensure that everything was in place. Bria couldnât believe her place of business was about to be open for business.
The driver opened the door for them, exposing them to the red carpet that led to the entrance of the building and a huge red ribbon wrapping the front like a present. Photographers were positioned outside waiting to snap pictures of the guests. They stopped and posed for the cameras. Bria felt like a celebrity. She used to fantasize about walking red carpets with Spade.
When she went inside Bria met with her office manager, Dani, who oversaw the setup. Dani was in her late twenties, had an MBA, and five years of spa-related experience. She looked very stylish, yet professional.
âWere there any problems?â Bria queried as she took in her surroundings. Flickering candles strategically placed throughout the room emitted a very pleasing scent of cinnamon with a touch of vanilla.
âNot a one.â
Bria felt confident that that was true because she compared Dani to a quiet storm. Dani appeared nonthreatening and unassuming, but if you underestimated her, you were in for a rude awakening.
âGlad to hear it.â
Bria left her alone and went to check on the food, catered by Justinâs Restaurant & Bar. She was pleased with the display consisting of catfish fritters, baked crab cakes, chicken saté, and New Zealand BBQ lamb chops.
The feast smelled delicious and looked appetizing. Another table consisted of fresh fruit, raw vegetables, an assortment of cheeses, and a variety of dips. A chef dressed in traditional chefâs attire stood behind a table prepared to carve a succulent-looking roast. The waitstaff and bartender wore traditional white tuxedo shirts and black bow ties with matching vests and slacks, which also met with her approval. Bria loved it when a plan came together.
A short while later Briaâs parents arrived, and she greeted them with hugs. Her dad looked distinguished in his tuxedo with a black and gold designed vest to spruce it up. His salt-and-pepper hair, moustache, and laugh lines added character, Bria thought.
Bria didnât get many opportunities to see her parents dress up, so when they did she marveled in it. Her mom looked stunning too with her hair loosely pulled up into a bun, a perfect fit for the gold suit accentuated by rhinestone buttons on the jacket. Bria thought her mother looked sophisticated and classy. She represented women of a certain age well.
âWhereâs Spade?â her mom asked, looking around the room.
Briaâs heart sank. She wanted to slink into the corner and disappear into the wall. Clearing her throat, she responded, âHe, um, had a conflict, but he sent some gorgeous flowers.â
âOh.â She sounded surprised and disappointed. âI guess this is what youâll have to look forward to being married to a musician.â
Her motherâs words felt like a stingray stabbing her in the chest and piercing her heart. Bria checked her dressy designer watch that her parents had given her for her twenty-first birthday. They told her that every woman should have some good pieces of jewelry, especially her timepiece.
âTime to meet the public,â she said.
Bria and Nya stepped outside. As the invited guests started arriving, they greeted everyone with
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