[one week later]

As Jane opened the message, she was pleased to see whom it was from.

Hello Jane,
How are you today?
I have an odd question for you and was wondering if you were busy.

Thankfully, she wasn't too busy and she was quick to respond.

Hey
Im good thanks. You?
Nah, I'm not busy. Shoot.

It didn't take long for Maura to reply either, which they were both happy about.

Glad to hear it.
I've really never understood that use of the word.

When she read up to this point, she knew Maura was stalling, but she didn't know why. She skipped to the end of what seemed like an essay.

Is that something that would interest you?

Too far. She read back a little further.

I understand to shoot, as in gun, but does it not seem odd to 'shoot' a question as you would a bullet or ball-bearing? Regardless, I was wondering if you could perhaps get a day or two off of work? There is a lovely spa not too far from Boston with a gorgeous resort attached. I thought it might be a nice opportunity for us to get to know each other a little better. And a mud bath couldn't hurt, right?

Maura was a little hesitant to send this message. This entire idea of this trip and the fact that she was being so forward about it all was a little unfamiliar to her and, therefore, a little disconcerting too.

Usually this wouldn't be something that interested Jane and, honestly, it sounded boring to sit around at some spa. And mud baths? What is that? All the same though, she was interested in spending time with Maura.

Yeah sure. I mean, I usually have a day or two off work anyway. I could try and arrange them so they were weekends 'cause that's when you'd be off right?

Maura let out a squeal of joy as she read this.

Good. Yes, that is correct. Only if that is not too much trouble. We can just go for the day as that may be easier schedule-wise?

Yeah if that works?

We will make it work.

That evening Jane decided to look at some of the local-ish spa resorts online. When she saw the prices she couldn't help but utter aloud, "You've gotta be shitting me."

Not really sure what she was going to do about this, she messaged Maura to do some recon.

Hey Maur
How was your day?

Good evening Jane,
It was rather productive, thank you. How was yours?

It was good thank you.

Five minutes passed before Maura texted back a return message. She figured that Jane probably wouldn't have texted were it only for a conversation that lasted a mere three messages.

Is there something on your mind?

Jane didn't want to sound cheap (or low on money) and wasn't entirely sure how to word it politely. It wasn't even as if she was strapped for cash. She'd always considered herself pretty comfortable, financially. Sure, there were some times where she's had to pick an extra shift, or pick a simpler or cheaper meal to temporarily be a stable part of her diet, she's not denying that. It was simply never a cause for stress or concern; except for that one time her car got hit by another and she had to pay to have it repaired because the insurance company 'couldn't' prove whose fault it really was. This though… This was it being considered normal to spend $200 an hour + accommodation. It wasn't even something she expected to like, so why would she?

Nah, not really.
Hey, do you go to spas often?

The first part they both knew was an outright lie. Jane was hoping Maura wouldn't notice, and Maura figured she'd just let it slide for now.

Not that often, actually. I suppose I would like to, but school and other commitments tend to delay the luxury.

Yeah – life can get in the way sometimes.
I'll be honest I don't know how people can afford to do it regularly.

Jane hoped that by adding "regularly" it would seem less confrontational in terms of the financial aspect of it.

To her surprise, Maura seemed to agree.

Me either! It is very much an indulgence and one that should only be enjoyed when one's bank account permits. I am rather lucky in that my mother very generously gifted me a voucher to this particular resort. It's a preposterous amount of money, so I thought the best use of it would be to bring someone whose company I would enjoy.

Jane was a little shocked.

Wait you're paying for me?

Well, of course. You don't think I'd ask you to some extravagantly priced place and expect you to pay for yourself.

You don't have to pay for me. Really!

Jane, don't be silly. I have this gift voucher, it must be redeemed in one transaction and not even I could spend this much. Besides, I am aware that this probably isn't your ideal getaway destination, so it's really the least I can do for the person who'll be keeping me company.

There were so many parts of this message that Jane was commenting on in her head. Maura: Always rational. Always more aware than you'd think. Always ridiculously kind.

Maur'… I don't know what to say.
At least let me pitch in or something.

That's quite alright, Jane. Honestly. I'm looking forward to having you there. That is more than enough.

Jane didn't really know what to say. She was quite taken back by the gesture. She knew that Maura was a generous person but, if the prices she had seen online were any sort of indicator, even for Maura this was outrageous.

I… don't know what to say. I feel bad. Please let me pitch in.

Don't be silly, really. Just come along, try to have fun and be yourself. That's all I want.

Hey guys,

So this is just a short in-between sort of chapter. Bit of a non-event, but I wanted it to be part of the story.

Really hope you've enjoyed this chapter and you're liking how the story is progressing.
I would love to hear any feedback you might have (good and bad).

Also, massive apologies to anyone who has reviewed the past two chapters. I am sorry for not getting back to each of you personally, and I promise to do better with this chapter.

Thank you again,

CC