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"Hey, Number Three!" Alice calls, spying me loitering outside the vestibule.
I spin and pretend I wasn't just pacing here for ten minutes. "Hey, Alice."
She cranes her neck around and reports, "She's almost done. Just putting the finishing touches. Why don't you have a seat?"
Having no choice, I walk in and grab a chair in the waiting area. I can just catch the edge of Bella's station, the occasional elbow or glimpse of her side.
My heart rate picks up when I see the swoosh of the cape, signaling completion. I stand, ever eager to greet my girl.
-o-
"Thanks, Bella," says a deep voice belonging to her client now stepping into view, a tattoo-covered steroidal wonder who makes Emmett look like pre-spinach Popeye. "Any time you need a tune-up, just ask for me."
Bella's soft tinkling laugh leads him toward the cashier. "I'll keep that in mind, Jake. My glutes could use a little work, actually," she calls back over her shoulder.
I watch him leer at her ass. "They look pretty sweet to me."
She shakes her head in that self-deprecating way and turns forward again. Her eyes catch on me and she lights up. "Edward, hey!"
-o-
"Hey," I answer tightly, training my ears on their conversation.
"Be right with you," she answers, delivering The Incredible Hulk to Jessica. Bella pulls one of her cards from the dispenser and slides it over to him. "See you in six weeks?"
"If not before," he winks lasciviously. "Remember, I'm here for you… and your glutes."
"Thanks," she responds, tipping her face to me. "I'm sure my boyfriend will appreciate that."
He glances at me briefly, disappointed but certainly not threatened, before turning back to Bella. "Every guy appreciates a well-toned ass. Trust me." He passes her a tip. "Later."
-o-
The aftermath of my adrenaline rush makes its way out of my system, and I feel the tingle in my nerve endings as Bella pushes off the counter and greets me with a kiss and a smile. "Ready?"
"I'm so ready," I answer, desperate to leave Mr. Universe and my jealousy behind.
"Lemme just go change real quick?"
I nod, and it's then I notice she's definitely more covered up than usual. Her pants are actual pants, not skin-tight leggings and you couldn't find her cleavage without x-ray vision. And she was clearly not flirty with Steroid Guy.
For me.