I stayed in the salt bath until my fingertips turned as wrinkly as a prune. Draining some of the lukewarm water, I added hot until it made my skin tingle. Heat seeped into my muscles. Eased the tension. With a gentle sigh I placed my tablet on the side table and watched three episodes of Anne with an E.
Afterward I washed my body clean until the soapy mixture turned the water light gray. In the background Emily role-played her roguish character with perfect ease. Detailing all of her kills. Laughing and joking with the guys.
Socializing came so easily to her. Fit her like a leather glove.
Once the game had ended, I drained the bathwater and combed through the tangles in my long, dark hair. Almost immediately it began to spring up in gentle waves.
I didn't bother drying it. Letting it happen naturally kept the curls intact.
"Hey, you didn't eat any dinner," said Emily after I'd finished getting ready for bed. "You all right?"
"Yep, just a bit tired." Before closing my door, I called out, "Night, Em!"
"Night-night, Vee."
Sinking under the covers, I missed Neil. His comforting voice. His presence. Ending the day with him felt so right. Unlike it had with anyone else in my whole life.
I grabbed my phone and texted him.
Me: Hey
Me: Are you still awake? 😊
Neil: Yes, have a nice bath? 😇
I couldn't explain why, but that question gave my stomach butterflies.
Me: yes it was so relaxing
Me: Did you enjoy your game?
Neil: yes it was fun
Neil: missed you though 😊
My stomach performed a world-class series of hooble-de-flips.
Neil: what did you do?
Me: watched Anne with an E
Me: I know...bad girl I should have read a book 😈
Neil: Netflix is simply a different medium
Neil: Neither better nor worse than reading
Neil: Sure reading might use your imagination more
Neil: but sometimes the story is more important
Neil: than how you piece together the details
Me: Exactly
Me: I was watching the episode late in season 2
Me: when Anne puts on a veil
Me: play acting getting married you know?
Neil: I haven't watched it but I can imagine yes
Me: and she says her vows
Me: to no one in particular
Me: just to the person who will one day be her partner
Neil: what vows?
Me: Absolutely lovely
Me: I swear if I ever made my own, I would say similar
Me:
I take you,
Matched to my intellect
Proponent of my happiness
Friend of my heart
To be my life mate
Let us dance as equal partners
Through the years
YOU ARE READING
Golden Hour
RomanceAfter failed businesswoman Toria Bergwald discovers her husband has been cheating, she branches out on her own to rebuild her life with her best friend Emily. At a networking event Toria meets Neil Frost, an accountant who can help her get back on t...
