Greatest Distraction (Distracted #1) by Juli Valenti Read Free Book Online

soaking up the peace and quiet found during the trip. One of the best things about our friendship, we’d learned, was that we didn’t have to continuously talk; we were both content to just be in the other’s company. It was great, and took a great deal of pressure off when thinking of things to say. Instead, when we did talk, we weren’t forcing ourselves into mindless drivel so popular to our age group.
    “Um … Ryen? I thought we were going for mani/pedis? Perfections is the other way,” Elle said, interrupting my thoughts. I forgot to tell her that I’d changed my mind; we’d still be getting manicures and pedicures, but we’d also be getting a massage and facial – complete with food pampering. When I’d changed directions from the salon to the spa, it hadn’t even dawned on me to tell her. Besides, I was paying.
    “We are getting mani/pedis … but we’re also getting the A-star treatment at Bella Sol.”
    “We’re going to the spa?” my friend asked, sounding surprised and girly happy all at the same time. I loved it when she did that, I could practically see her bouncing in her seat.
    “Yep! My treat! I figured the Hollywood package would suit. We’ll get our hands and feet done, along with facials and –”
    “Massages! Strawberries and champagne , too!!” Okay, maybe I’d underestimated her excitement. She was just like her daughter, just this shy of squealing and fist pumping.
    “So … is that an okay change? I mean, I could always turn back around…” I said, laughing at her. I couldn’t help it, but her happiness was completely contagious.
    “YES!”
    I flinched, her response coming out as a high-pitched scream. She saw it, and immediately toned it down a level so I could concentrate on driving. I felt a little bad for that; I loved her excitement. Luckily we were pulling into the parking lot and would soon be in absolute heaven.
     

     
    “This. Is. The. Life ,” Elle crooned.
    We were both lying face down on a rather comfortable leather massage bed, two hunky men working us over. Not like that, you perv; massaging us. It would have been super perfect if only Jorge and Gustaf weren’t completely gay … and married to each other. Dang it. See, this was why women like me have such a hard time with men. All the mega hotties with great personalities, and hands, are either taken, gay, or both.
    I moaned my agreement as Gustaf’s magic hands smoothed between my shoulder blades. It really was the life. After becoming closely acquainted with death the past few days, I needed this. I was completely relaxed, boneless; moving was a prospect I was already beginning to dread.
    “So, what all do you need to do before you go? Have you called your mom to tell her?”
    I tensed, mentally cursing Elle. Seriously, she had a knack for knowing just what to say to get to me. Damn it, I did NOT want to ruin this massage with thoughts of my mother.
    “Elle, I think you missed the memo. Massages are supposed to be relaxing . I would’ve thought with a house like yours, and with your kids and all, you’d cherish that idea.”
    “Oh, I am … I’m perfectly relaxed. Then again, I’m not the one with, well, your mother.”
    I sighed. She was right – my mom was, well, bat -shit crazy about covered it. Losing my father had done things to her, despite the fact they’d been divorced by then. His leaving everything to me only made it that much worse. She’d spiraled out of control; drugs, men, you name it, she’d done it. It’d been hard to see, especially when I’d needed her. Now she mainly only called when she needed money, or to get bailed out of jail … again. Recently she’d taken on this whole “I’m-going-to-be-your-mother” bit, along with her street walker routine, and flipped shit if I didn’t call her every time I decided to leave the zip code.
    “No.”
    “No, what? No, I’m not the one with your mother, or no, you haven’t called her?” she asked, her tone confused, even