Returning to Love (Welcome to Cupids Cove)

“That sounds nice. I just need to call Mark and check in.”

“Uhm he is at the office right now. I forgot to tell you he told me to let you know. He had to go in for a few hours. Said to tell you he will let you know when he is done.” Okay. I check my phone to see if there is a message from him, but nothing. I want to be suspicious, but I shake my head and ignore it.

Walking into the day spa, I smile at the owner. Harvest Pack, and though she smiles back, there is something almost guilty about it. Is it me? Am I just looking for something to complain about? The massage therapist shows me to the room and a pregnancy table. Seems they thought of everything. Is it wrong that I am missing Mark and wishing he were here with me?

The massage is wonderful, and I am not ashamed to admit how much I needed it and didn’t realize it. It warms my heart listening to my mom and Love talk like they haven’t missed decades of being Aunt and niece. My heart has ached for my mom over the years. There wasn’t a moment when she would talk about her childhood and sister without tears and regret for not being a better sister and trying to find her. The day we learned about Love, my mom wept in sadness and joy. Having her here is a big deal and it makes me happy.

“All set. Now you go in the other room and get your nails and feet done,” Lilibet, the massage therapist, says to me. My eyebrow raises at her tone which is slightly jovial, not at all uncommon for our town, but it is also a bit hincky. Like she knows something I don’t. I stare at her for a minute waiting for her to spill the beans, but she turns her head biting her lip like she is trying to hold something in and after giving it a few minutes I give up and walk into the nail room.

“Well, don’t you look like a blushing…” Marianne stops and puts her head down. I watch as her whole body becomes red, and she takes a few deep breaths. Okay, something is going on and apparently I am the only one not in the know.

“Marianne, are you ok?”

“Yes. Yep. Uh huh. I am fine. Come sit, hun. Let's get you finished.” She is still averting my gaze and it is annoying the heck out of me.

“So you were saying something earlier before you stopped yourself. What was it?” She swallows and then looks up.

“Oh I was just saying you have that pregnancy glow,” she says quickly and then her lips are literally sealed for the rest of the appointment. I bate her, ask her, imply she knows something, and nothing. She simply hums and ignores me. That is when I look around and realize the ladies I came with are not in the room with me. I didn’t think this town could be any weirder. Apparently I was wrong.

“Well, don’t you look beautiful,” Love says when she meets me at the door. I have had enough of the crazy. Hands on my hips, I glare at her.

“Where have you been?” I demand from her.

“I had to pop out and go nurse Luna. Why is everything ok? What happened?” Well shoot, of course she needed to go and feed her newborn. Now I feel awful, and she looks worried. Man, pregnancy makes you nutty.

“I’m sorry. Everything is fine. I think the pregnant brain is kicking in. I’m fine. Everyone was just being so weird and then you didn’t join me in the nail shop, and I don't know…It doesn’t matter. I am fine. I just miss Mark.” It’s the truth. I am feeling off balance not seeing him.

“I get it, Tiff. Trust me. I miss Trim every day when he goes to work and when he has to go out of town, forget about it. I am a basket case by the time he comes home. There is something to be said for having a partner, lover, husband, friend and protector that you know you can lean on every day.” Wow. She is right. It’s true. That is what he is for me…well minus the husband part. But he has always been all of those things and I ran from it I think because it scared me.

“Yeah. I never put it into words, but hearing you say it, makes it real. Mark has always been those things to me and for me. I have leaned and depended on him since I met him, and it never hit me how much until right now. I love him so much it hurts.”

“I knew that even when you were at my house, girl. Just make sure you let him know when the time comes. Now, your mom wants us to meet at the house before we head over to meet Mark at the festival for the final events.” The mention of his name is enough to make my heart beat faster, my nipples to bead and my pussy to swell. Geesh. These hormones are no joke. But then again, he has always made my body go crazy.