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“Hold up!” I shout when they come barreling by the front desk, heading in the opposite direction of the exit. “Girls, I told you, it’s time to go.” I tap the outside of my wrist where a watchwould go. “Claire, I told your grandma I’d have you home in…five minutes ago. Chop, chop.”
“Sorry, Ms. Spencer. It’s my fault,” Claire says. Her thick, red hair is fastened behind her back in a long ponytail. Her scant freckles are sparkling like stars in the night sky after the rainbow sherbert facial she opted for. Charlie got the ice cream sundae facial, and for the past twenty minutes they’ve been loudly comparing notes as to which smelled better.
“What’s wrong, sweetie?”
“I lost my locket. I took it off when we put our swimsuits on and I can’t find it anywhere. Charlie’s been helping me look.”
“It’s here!” A lady in a black blouse and black palazzo pants comes jogging down the hallway, the clickety-clack of her high heels echoing off the walls. She holds out a long, gold chain with a thick, heart locket dangling like a pendulum. “You left it in the locker, honey. We found it,” she says in breathless relief.
Claire hugs the lady, thanking her more times than I can count.
“Okay, Charlie,” I say, holding up my car keys, “take your bags and put them in the trunk. Get in, get buckled, and I will be out shortly. Okay?”
For once she doesn’t pry, too wrapped up in the company of her best friend. They go back to discussing the pros and cons of their facials. Come on, it’s a no-brainer. Sherbert over ice cream sundae, all day every day.
I watch Claire’s long ponytail sway behind her, once again having the strangest feeling of déjà vu, like I’ve met her before in a different life. It happened the first time I met her after their first sleepover. I was a little distracted by Spike, who was screaming like a piggie gladiator, hell-bent on vengeance when we separated him from Babe. But still, I had the same feeling that I do now… I just still can’t quite place her.
“I’m Margaret, the spa director,” the woman says, outstretching her hand. “Did you and your party have a good time? Was everything up to your standards?”
“My standard for a pedicure isnotgetting stabbed with nippers or going home with foot fungus, so please believe me when I say today was one of the most memorable days of my life.”
She chuckles. “Well, I’m glad you had fun. I hate to be so candid, but do you have any idea if today was up to Mr. Hatcher’s standards? Our gratuity is based on your experience, so as long as it’s honest, your glowing report would be helpful.”
“Ah, I see. Um, yes, I will let Mr. Hatcher know it was fantastic. Better than superb. I will actually invent a new adjective to properly describe the utter euphoria that today was.”
She clasps her hands together and bows her head. “Thank you so much. There isn’t anything we wouldn’t do for the Hatchers.”
And their money, I add mentally. Nathan doesn’t act like an arrogant, rich elitist. It’s only through subtle tells that I really understand the magnitude of his wealth. The watch he wears, how all his designer suits are perfectly tailored to his body, or the fact he has full-time employees whose job it is to just wait around on him all day.
“Um, is the register closed?” I point to the wall of skincare products, neatly displayed on the built-in shelves.
“What would you like?” Margaret asks with a wide smile.
“Something for my sister. Just a cleanser, a moisturizer, and maybe a toner or serum. Do you have anything without too many chemicals? Her skin is still so young.”
Margaret points to the other side of the wall, with rows of bamboo bottles and jars with dark blue writing. “This is Azure, our cleanest line. Very safe for young skin. And it smells divine.” She grabs a test bottle and unscrews the lid before holding it tomy nose. The scent is light and refreshing, a blend of ocean sea salt, tangerine, and mint.
“Wow, that’s incredible. Okay.” I draw in a deep breath. “This is the part where you tell me these cost hundreds, right?”
“Don’t worry,” she says, waving me off. Stepping behind the register, she pulls out a large gift bag and begins to stuff every Azure product she can reach. My stomach drops like an unhinged elevator.Shit.She thinks because I’m friends with Nathan that I’m also rich. This is going to be embarrassing, but I have to tell her I can’t afford all this.
“Margaret, I appreciate it, but I can probably only buy one or two?—”
“You’re Spencer, right?” she checks.
“Yes.”
She hands the bag over. “Two sets of the entire skincare line. Directions are on the boxes. Anytime you need a refill, or a service, stop by and give the front desk your name. It’s on the house.”
I try to hand the bag back. “I feel so bad. I wasn’t trying to get free stuff. There’s no way I can take all this from you.” I hold up the heavy bag, knowing this is probably over five hundred dollars of retail.
“It’s not free.” She winks. “Mr. Hatcher gave us very strict instructions to take good care of you. You and your sister are going to love these products, I promise.”
“Are you sure?”
“Just let Mr. Hatcher know you had a nice time today. That’s all we ask.” I could continue to resist, but there’s not an ounce of hesitation in Margaret’s honey-smooth, calming voice.
“Thank you so much.”