Page 13 of Pack to the Wall

But what exactly did he want? She'd barely seen him since that first day. Only glimpsed him from afar, his powerful frame commanding attention as he strode across the resort grounds.Each time, he'd caught her watching and held her gaze with an intensity that had heat blooming in her chest.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She opened it to find Olivia waiting, radiant in a flowing teal sundress that complemented her tanned skin.

"You look like a different person already," Olivia noted with approval, stepping inside. "Two days of actual sleep works wonders, doesn't it?"

"You have no idea." Chrissy gathered her hair into a loose ponytail. "I forgot what it feels like to wake up naturally, without someone yanking back my curtains and shoving a protein shake in my hand."

Olivia laughed, the sound bright and genuine. "Well, today is all about pampering. The spa grotto is my favorite place on the island—after the private coves, of course."

"I haven't explored much yet," Chrissy admitted. "This villa has been my sanctuary since I arrived."

"Hiding from Zev?" Olivia's green eyes sparkled with mischief.

Heat rushed to Chrissy's cheeks. "Not hiding exactly. Just... processing things."

"He has that effect on people. All that alpha energy packed into those muscles." Olivia wiggled her eyebrows. "I've never seen him so thrown off balance by someone before."

"Me? I threw him off balance?" The thought was unexpectedly thrilling.

"Honey, you practically knocked him sideways the moment you stepped off that helicopter." Olivia linked her arm through Chrissy's. "Come on, spa first, then we can dissect the way Zev looks at you like you're the answer to a question he didn't know he was asking."

Chrissy felt her cheeks flush again as they strolled along a winding stone path bordered by vibrant tropical flowers. Thewarmth of Olivia's arm against hers felt grounding and real. When was the last time she'd had genuine female friendship outside of work and without an agenda? Someone who wasn't afraid to tease her or tell her the truth? She had Maggie back home, but even that friendship had its limits and restrictions due to Leslie's watchful eye.

"Does he really look at me like that?" Chrissy asked, her loose ponytail swaying with each step.

"Honey, I've known Zev for years, and I've never seen him like this. He watches you when you're not looking—like you're this fascinating puzzle he's desperate to solve."

The spa grotto emerged before them—a natural cave formation with crystal-clear pools steaming gently in the morning light. Bamboo privacy screens sectioned off different areas, and the scent of essential oils perfumed the air.

"This is incredible," Chrissy breathed, taking in the tranquil space. For twelve months, she'd been shuttled from one sterile hotel spa to another for "image maintenance," never allowed to simply enjoy the experience.

"Wait until you try the mineral soak," Olivia grinned, guiding her toward a changing area. "Here, I brought you this." She handed Chrissy a midnight blue bikini.

Chrissy held it up, hesitation flickering across her face. "It's... kind of revealing."

"Honey, you have the body for it—you might as well embrace it and show it off a little. Be proud of it." Olivia squeezed her shoulder gently. "For you, not for album covers or publicity shots."

Something shifted inside Chrissy at those words. Her body belonged to her, not Empire Records or Marty or the public. She changed quickly, emerging to find Olivia already waiting in an emerald bikini.

Within minutes, they were submerged in a private thermal pool, warm water bubbling around them as an attendant placed cucumber slices over their eyes and clay masks on their faces.

"This is heaven," Chrissy sighed, feeling muscles she hadn't even realized were tense begin to unwind.

The attendant's gentle touch on her shoulder suddenly triggered a flash of memory—Leslie's bony fingers digging into her arm, dragging her toward the scale in her bathroom.

"Five pounds? FIVE? Do you know what the internet is saying about your ass already? And you're eating carbs?"

Chrissy's body went rigid, her breathing shallow.

"Chrissy?" Olivia's voice sounded far away. "Are you okay?"

Chrissy tried to nod, but her body trembled. Another memory surfaced—Leslie slapping her hand away from a plate of food at a catered event, hissing that she was getting "too fat for her costumes."

"I'm sorry," she whispered, tears mixing with the cucumber juice on her cheeks.

Olivia removed her own cucumber slices and gently took Chrissy's away. "Don't apologize. Whatever you're feeling is valid."

"Leslie—my handler—she..." Chrissy's voice broke. "She would hit me if I gained weight. Called me disgusting. Said I was ruining everything Marty built."

---