37

APOV

I'm excited for a day at the spa with just the girls. I feel like I never get to see Kate anymore and I want to get to know Mia better. I'm just not sure how I feel about Ginger. Something about her just rubs me the wrong way.

We arrive at Spa Solange and it is beautiful. I've never been anywhere like this before. We get to the front desk and I let them know who we are. "Oh, Miss Steele. We've been expecting you. I've been told you are supposed to get whatever treatments you want as the bill is being paid by Mr. Grey."

I look over at Kate and roll my eyes. Why does Christian insist on paying for everything? Kate laughs - she knows how I feel about this stuff. I've been independent my entire life so I don't want to start depending on someone for everything now. We each get a brochure so we can pick the treatments we want. We decide we want to do the geothermal pool together and after that the mud bath. Then I pick the Signature Massage. I think that's all I need. Everything else seems very expensive and I can hang out in the bath house to relax.

Kate and Mia pick the same as me except they also get a Deep Cleansing Facial. I think Ginger picked her treatments based on the cost. She gets the Mellow Me Out treatment with added enhancements, the Have It All facial, and lip enhancements. I know Christian said to get what we want but I feel it's wrong to get all that just because he is paying. Carol, Ginger's attendant takes her back to one of the treatment rooms. And Alesia takes Mia, Kate, and me back to the bathhouse.

Once we are in the pool and it's just the three of us, Mia looks at us and says, "I don't trust Ginger. I think she's dating Elliot for his money."

"This is the first time I have met her but she definitely is unreserved." I don't want to bad mouth her but I can't help it. Maybe after this trip, I'll get to know her but there's something about her I don't trust.

Kate starts laughing and says, "She reminds me of Lillian that Mia and I cheered with in high school." Mia explodes with laughter and imitates Lillian and before I know it, we are all laughing so hard we are practically in tears.

After some time in the geothermal pool, I get my massage. The massage therapist, Nicole, must have magic fingers because she does an awesome job and I am so relaxed I think I will need to be carried back to the cottages.

I go back to the mud treatment while Mia and Kate get their facial. None of us have seen Ginger and we aren't sure where she is in the process. They come back and there is still no sign of her. Mia conspiratorially says, "We should just leave her here."

"Mia, we can't do that! Let's just hang out here until she's done. I don't think we have to rush anywhere." About an hour and a half later Ginger comes back from her treatments and is ready to go.

We pour ourselves in the limo and head to the cottages.

CPOV

While the women are at the spa, Elliot and I go for a hike on the Palisades Trail. We don't pick anything too difficult but we both like to get outside and do things when we can.

We are hiking for about a half hour and make small talk about the Seahawks and Mariners when Elliot asks me about Ana. I should have expected it.

"Bro, Ana is great, but do you think this is moving a little quickly?"

"When that fucker, Aaron, broke into the shop and had a gun pointed at her I realized how much she really means to me. I don't want to spend a minute of my life without her, so why wait? I'm not going to love anyone else."

"I hear you but she is young. I am just trying to look out for you."

"I know, Elliot, and I appreciate it but what Anastasia and I have is real. She's not like a regular 22-year-old. She's got an old soul."

"You know Dad is going to want you to sign a prenup."

"There is no way I am signing a fucking prenup so he can shove that up his ass."

"Whoa… he's just being practical."

"No, it's because he doesn't trust my decision and thinks Ana and I won't make it. He still thinks I made a mistake by dropping out of Harvard."

"Well, when it does happen, try to stay calm. That's all I ask. I don't want to be stuck in the middle of you two."

"I hear you. And thanks for looking out for me, bro. So, this thing with Ginger, is it serious?"

"I don't know, man. She's a hell of a lot of fun if you know what I mean but I'm not anywhere near ready to settle down yet."

"Just make sure you wear a condom with her. You never know…"

"Dude! You're my little brother. I'm supposed to be giving you the advice." Elliot laughs good-naturedly. "Do you guys know what you want to do for the wedding?"

"We haven't had a chance to talk about it but Ana doesn't like to be involved in a lot of fuss so I think it may be something small."

"The paps are going to be all over you as soon as word breaks out. Is Ana prepared?"

"I don't think she realizes it. It's going to be a shock, that's for sure. Let's head back, they should be done soon."

"You want to stop and get a pizza to bring back? We can play it easy tonight."

"That's a good idea. Plus, with the wine tasting tomorrow I think Ana could use a quiet night tonight." Elliot and I stop by this place called Bosko's Trattoria and get an order of the antipasti, the house salad, a margherita pizza, and a pepperoni pizza. Elliot alone could probably clear a whole pizza.

We get back just as their limo is pulling up. I know it hasn't been long but I missed my Ana. We put the food on the table in our cottage and I go to her. I just need to feel her against me.

"Hey, baby. Did you have a nice time? You smell good. I missed you."

"I missed you too. Did you have a nice time with Elliot?"

"Sure. We haven't spent time like that together in a long time." We join the rest of the group and all enjoy the food Elliot and I brought back. I love to see Ana laughing and having fun like this. She deserves it after everything she's been through.