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“I—what?” I was at a complete loss.
“This little innocent girl next door persona does not work on me. You befriended Brie thinking that would give you a leg up with Andrew. He’smine, and you need to back off.”
I was speechless. Where had she got the idea that I was interested in Andrew Locke? Because we had a conversation? Or because Brie and I were friendly?
I hadn’t been expecting this confrontation, and I didn’t know how to respond. I thought back to the hike. Brie did kind of give Sherry the cold shoulder, but did Sherry thinkIhad something to do with that?
“I know women like you,Mia,” she snapped. “Single, coming to St. Claire, clearly looking for a sugar daddy. Not going to happen withmyboyfriend.”
“I don’t want your boyfriend.”
“I need to bond with Brie, and you’re getting in the way.”
“That’s not my intention,” I said trying not to let my voice quiver. “Brie and I are closer in age, and—”
“Oh,please. You’re notthatyoung. Stay away from Brie, and stay away from Andrew.I mean it.”
The cold anger on her face threw me. Before I could respond, she walked out.
I had been afraid my perception of Sherry Morrison was tainted by Brie’s feelings toward her dad’s girlfriend, but clearly Brie had reason to dislike her other than the mere fact she was dating her dad. I put Sherry high on my list of people to google when I got back to my cottage.
Anyone who felt so threatened by a virtual stranger might have enough anger to kill.
It took me a minute to calm down after the confrontation with Sherry before walking across the hall to Ginger’s suite. “I’m sorry I’m late,” I said to the petite brunette with pale eyes. “I took a shower because I felt icky after my hike.”
“Do not worry,” she said in a soft, soothing voice, and motioned for me to disrobe and lie on the table. “When you reserved the massage, you indicated no allergies to any scents?”
“Correct.”
“Do you have a preference? Or would you like unscented oils?”
I hadn’t thought about scents. I didn’t know what to say. Was I supposed to look at a display, like nail polish when I got a pedicure and picked a color? I rarely even wore perfume.
“Do you have plans this evening?” Ginger asked, recognizing my indecision.
“The luau... then I’m meeting someone on the beach.” I wondered what Jason would like?
“A romantic interlude?” she asked.
“I hope,” I said before I could stop myself. “I mean, I don’t know, just, um, maybe something light and fresh?”
“I have just the oil,” she said. “It’s my special blend. I call it sea jasmine. Not too strong, but wonderfully calming when I add a hint of lavender. It’s fresh and romantic.”
“I trust you,” I said, and hoped my trust wasn’t misplaced.
“If you’d be more comfortable in a towel,” Ginger said, and motioned to a fluffy stack of white towels on a shelf.
I realized she was waiting for me to lie down. I hadn’t had a massage in years, but was glad I had a female masseuse. I took a deep breath, smiled. “I’m fine.” I shrugged off the robe and lay face down on the table, which provided an open space for my face so my spine remained straight.
As soon as Ginger’s small, strong hands started rubbing my muscles, I moaned.
“You are tense,” Ginger said. “Relax, clear your mind. Think of the ocean, the gentle push and pull of the waves.” As she spoke, she moved her hands slowly and firmly over my upper body muscles. She was amazing. And the oil was perfect, floral and salty, not too strong, and oh so relaxing. I almost forgot why I’d made this appointment in the first place.
Fifteen minutes into the process, when Ginger told me I was still tense, I found the opening I needed to ask her about Diana.
“I guess I’m tense because of last night.”
“Oh?”