“Psh.” Gabi waves a hand. “Don’t say that. I’ve been excited about this since I came out of my last appointment.”

“But I didn’t come down here to make you work. I wanted to get out of my room and see a friendly face.”

She pauses at the doorway. “Here’s the deal—I’ll feel guilty getting paid if I don’t do it, and I prefer to talk and work at the same time.”

I step inside the room, inhaling the lavender-scented air. “Only if you’re sure.”

“Positive. I’ll have your skin glowing by the time we’re done.”

As soon as I’m settled under the blanket, she starts to talk.

“The first thing I gotta tell you is that Maren Higgins is on the books today with an appointment.”

I tense. “Oh, really?”

“Mm-hmm. I’m guessing she heard Lincoln put your whole family up—on top of Ms. Riscoff promoting your aunt—and rushed to get the first open appointment so she’d have a chance to get a look at the competition.”

“Lord, the rumor mill in this town really does work even faster than the press.”

“And they’re probably more accurate too,” Gabi says as she places cucumber slices over my eyes. “I’ve heard what the news said yesterday, and there’s no way in hell your husband was a Riscoff. There’s not enough money or liquor in the world to make me believe that.”

I find it comforting that she doesn’t actually ask me whether it’s true.

“Anyhoo, enough of that and back to Maren. She’s way more fun to gossip about. Although, I wouldn’t want to face her without armor. Especially not when she thinks you’re trespassing on her property.”

“He’s a man. Not land.”

“And yet Maren will probably happily piss all over him.”

I cringe. “Gross.”

“Just saying, she’s the kind of woman who’d do anything to secure her spot when it comes with a billion dollars attached.”

“My cousin Cricket calls her Cuntcake McWhoreson.”

Gabi bursts out laughing. “I knew I liked her.”

An hour and a half later, my face is glowing, and I give Gabi a hug. “I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but I’ll try to come back down at least one more time.”

“I’m going to hold you to it, Whit. It’s such a treat.”

She leads me down the hallway, and I hear familiar giggles coming from a doorway up ahead. I pause when I see Karma and the girls all seated in pedicure chairs.

“Are you guys having fun?” I ask my little cousins, and the girls squeal their excitement. “What color did you pick?”

“I got pink!”

“Mine are purple.”

They hold out their fingernails, and I move closer to inspect them.

“They look so pretty.” I glance at Karma, and of course her resting bitch face is on point. “I hope you’re all having a nice afternoon.”

“We’re trying,” my cousin replies.

“I’m sure you’ll take full advantage of the amenities while we’re here.”