Page 105 of Revenge Is a Dish Best Served… Wearing Heels?

The door opened and three nail technicians in black uniforms entered. That was the end of our conversation. For now.

We all straightened a little in our chairs, giving each other looks that this discussion would definitely be continued later.

After a round of niceties and small talk, the three of us fell silent while they worked—scrubbing, filing, massaging—and I wondered if my sisters were obsessing like I was about this whole issue.

Of course, the past week had been amazing, Katie and I buzzing around the studio getting everything ready for Nordstrom, and the actual meeting had gone amazingly well. My dreams were finally coming true, and I couldn't be more ecstatic about that part of my life.

But... but everything that had happened with Tristan had thrown my personal life into complete turmoil, making me wonder if it was the universe sending me a message that it was simply impossible to have it all. Having a loving relationship, meaningful family life, and a successful, fulfilling career, those things all at the same time could never happen for me.

Glancing at my sisters' faces, both of them glowing, a twinge of jealousy hit me. Usually, I didn't play the comparison game with them or anybody for that matter. Today was a different matter, though, because they both did have it all.

So why couldn't I as well?

Someone came in with cucumber water, and we each took a glass, thanking them. Taking a quick sip, a wave of nausea rolled over me.

Weird. I usually loved the refreshing taste of it, and I'd had it many times here.

Once again, my eyes darted to my sisters, seeing if they had any reaction to their drinks, but they both seemed fine.

Aria guzzled nearly half of hers before picking up a magazine, and Annalise drank a good amount as well.

I mentally shrugged it off. It was honestly the least of my worries.

Ariasnorted softly next to me. "Okay, get this," she said. "Apparently, fish pedicures are back. Some influencer in Dubai did one with gold flakes in the tank."

"Weren't those banned?" Annalise asked. "Something about fungus?"

"Yep. I don't know if I could do it even if they were legal. Just imagine... tiny little fish nibbling on your feet like you're a cracker."

I nearly heaved at the thought, drawing two sets of eyes my way.

Aria's hand landed gently on my arm. "Astrid? You okay?"

My technician dug into a particularly sensitive spot, and it was all I could do to stay seated, the contents of my stomach a whirling vortex.

No. I couldn't be sick. This was crazy.

Closing my eyes, I sucked in a breath. And another. And yet another.

"Astrid. Seriously. What's going on?"

The woman at my feet stopped, and I could feel everyone in the room now staring at me, doing nothing to help my sudden queasiness.

Bolting from my chair, I made a run for the private bathroom just a few feet away, and fortunately made it to the sink in time for the retching.

God, I was so sick of this feeling. Always before I'd been able to keep it in. But all the stress of the past week, even though it was mostly good stress, had clearly had an effect on me, and I just needed to let it all go.

The mirror reflected my sisters' worried expressions as they both watched, one holding my hairand the other rubbing soft circles on my back.

Someone handed me a wet, warm towel and a glass of cold water, no cucumber this time, thank goodness, and I rinsed my mouth out.

The nail technicians had left, and now my sisters still watched me carefully as we re-entered the room. I had no idea what to do. Take off for home? Stay and finish the pedicure?

I did feel better actually. For now anyway.

Aria's hand met my forehead. "You're not warm. Stomach flu? Food poisoning?"

"When was the last time you had your period?" Annalise asked before I could answer Aria.