‘Don’t worry,’ she said softly. ‘I was going to do some yoga tonight anyway. How are you feeling?’

‘Great,’ Charlie replied, caught off guard by the light reflecting in her hazel eyes. ‘Thirsty, though. Is that normal?’

‘Yes, completely,’ Holly replied. She gestured to the jug of water on the shop counter. ‘Help yourself to some if you like.’

Charlie grabbed the glass by the jug and poured himself some more. Downing it swiftly, he relished the coolness, hoping it would help to cool the unbidden thoughts about Holly herself.

‘Well, you should sleep well tonight,’ Holly said. ‘Although, don’t go running any marathons for a couple of days; the toxins will be working their way out of you for forty-eight hours or so. And drink plenty more water.’

‘I will,’ Charlie replied, thinking that Holly’s hands must truly be magic if they were able to relax him so much. He hoped he didn’t end up dreaming about her tonight, though. That might make things awkward between them again. He felt as though their relationship was a little easier now than it had been when he’d introduced himself to her in the shop a few weeks ago, and he wanted to keep it that way. ‘So how much do I owe you for the oil and the massage?’ he asked, aware that time was marching on and he should leave Holly to the rest of her evening.

‘If you’d like to book in for another one, then this one’s on the house,’ Holly said.

‘Are you sure?’ Charlie asked. ‘I mean, I don’t want to leave you out of pocket.’

‘It’s something I offer my customers if I think they might give me the repeat business,’ Holly said. ‘And, from the feel of your shoulders and neck, it would be a great idea to schedule a massage at least once a month or so.’

‘I’ll bear that in mind,’ Charlie replied. ‘That’s if you’re sure you don’t want anything for this one?’

Holly shook her head. ‘Once I get you hooked, you’ll be booking in a session every week!’

‘I don’t doubt that,’ Charlie said, although inwardly he wondered if he’d cope with Holly putting her magical hands on him that regularly without wanting to pull her down on the massage table and kiss the life out of her. But that was probably the oil and the massage talking. If he couldn’t even get a massage from someone without thinking sexy thoughts about them, he was clearly far more buttoned-up than he realised. ‘Thanks again, Holly.’

‘Any time.’

Holly walked over to the front door of the shop and unlocked it, allowing him to step through.