Free Lost Without You: Book 2 in the Chasing Olivia Series by Jillian Anselmi Page A

needed this, so I figured if I had to go through it, so did you girls,” Amanda announces.
    “Go through what?” I ask.
    “I don’t want puffy, red eyes. This facial is supposed to relieve tired, swollen eyes.”
    “Oh, we’re gonna need to come back after the wedding,” Miranda interjects.
    Three more therapists enter the room, carrying a selection of creams and serums. “This is the Sundari Beautiful Eyes treatment. The Chamomile Eye Oil smoothes and replenishes delicate skin around your eyes. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Our Neem Eye cream is healing, and reduces puffiness and dark circles,” my therapist informs us.
    She starts to apply the oil first, gently rubbing right underneath my eyes. Finally, she spreads paraffin across my cheeks and chin, which will harden into a mask. “This will take about ten minutes to dry, then I will peel off the mask and rub the rest of the cream into your skin.” As she leaves, she places two slices of cucumber across my eyes.
    “Anybody know the reason behind these cucumber slices?” Amanda asks, giggling.
    “No idea,” I answer.
    “They do this every time I get a facial,” Miranda says.
    “There must be some therapeutic value to it,” I say, hoping someone might hear our conversation and answer our stupid question.
    “I wonder how the boys are making out,” Miranda ponders aloud.
    “Probably not well. I can only imagine what they are up to.” Amanda chuckles. “I’m sure they’ve already tried to drown Justin.”
    “My face is starting to itch,” I announce, the cream starting to tighten across my cheeks.
    “It’ll go away in a few minutes,” Miranda tells me.
    “One more stop, then off to lunch,” Amanda announces.
    “What else could we possibly do?” I ask, astonished we’re still here.
    “Mani-pedi’s,” they both say in unison, then burst into giggles.
    “Oh,” is all I say.
    “If we had more time, I would have booked us space in the sauna,” Amanda says.
    “Ugh, too hot,” Miranda complains.
    As if on cue, our therapists come back into the room. “To answer your question, cucumber is rich in silica. This is responsible for strengthening the connective tissues. Since the skin is a connective tissue, it helps keep it healthy. It also helps remove dark circles from around your eyes. And, as an added bonus, it’s an antioxidant,” she says, plucking the cucumbers from my eyes before peeling the mask from my face. I scrunch my face, working out the tight feeling. Mid-scrunch, she starts applying cream to my skin, smoothing out my expression. Taking a towel, she wipes off any residue and waves us off to get dressed.
     
    Once dressed, we meet back in the center of the spa and head toward the salon. Shoes off and feet soaking, the ladies get to work.
    “So, this is as good a time as any to discuss this.” Amanda is sitting in between Miranda and myself, making it easier to talk to both of us. “Ever since I met Nate, it’s always been about him. I don’t have many girl friends.” She pauses for a moment, furrowing her brows. “In fact, I don’t think I have any. Since Justin and Chase are like brothers to Nate, they’re standing up for him at the wedding . . .” she trails off and takes a sip of mineral water before turning to me. “Olivia, I know we’ve just met, and, Miranda,” she says, shifting toward her, “since you’ve only been dating Justin for a few weeks . . . I know this is probably strange, and a lot to ask, but would you girls be my maids of honor?”
    “Of course we will!” Miranda exclaims.
    “Um . . . I didn’t bring anything that would be suitable for a maid of honor,” I stutter, annoyed Miranda would answer for both of us. She doesn’t even know me.
    “I brought some dresses with me and there’s a tailor here in case they’re too big or small.” Amanda looks over at me. “No, they should be okay, maybe have them taken in slightly.”
    “Yay, I love new dresses!”