Chapter 44: Ticklish Pedicure Traditions

Linda pushed open the door to the Bliss Nail Spa, greeted by the familiar scent of lavender and fresh polish. Sarah followed close behind her, already smirking.

"Well, well, well," came a teasing voice from across the salon. Mia, their usual nail technician, grinned at them from behind the counter. "Look who's back for another round of foot torture."

Linda rolled her eyes, setting her purse down on the nearest chair. "You make it sound so dramatic. It's just a simple pedicure."

Sarah snickered, shaking her head as she settled in next to her friend. "That's what you said last time, and the time before that... and the time before that."

Mia chuckled as she led Linda to her usual chair. "Should I grab the straps to keep you still?"

Linda gasped, feigning offense. "Excuse me?! Are you calling me difficult?"

Sarah leaned back, sipping her iced coffee. "Linda, you kicked a towel off the table last time when Mia was scrubbing your heels."

Linda huffed, lifting her feet onto the footrest. "That was an accident."

Mia smirked knowingly. "Sure it was."

Linda sighed dramatically. "Okay, okay. But I have a good feeling about today."

Mia folded a fresh towel over Linda's ankles and gave her a mischievous look. "Alright, same challenge as before—if you can sit through this pedicure without laughing, I'll knock five bucks off your total."

Linda crossed her arms. "Easy."

Sarah shook her head. "This is gonna be good."

Mia grinned, reaching for the lotion. "Let's begin."

The second Mia's fingers massaged over Linda's sole, she stiffened. Her hands gripped the armrests of the chair and her lips pressed into a thin line.

Sarah snorted. "Oh, she's already fighting for her life."

"I'm fine," Linda gritted out, her toes twitching.

Mia smirked. "Uh-huh." She slowly kneaded her thumbs along Linda's arch.

Linda's breathing turned uneven.

Then Mia's fingers slid down to the ball of her foot.

Linda let out a strangled snort.

Sarah burst into laughter. "Oh, that's it! You're cracking already!"

Linda shook her head furiously. "Nope. Still good. Totally fine."

Mia hummed as she reached for the exfoliating scrub. "Let's test that."

The second the rough scrub touched Linda's arch, she lost it.

"AHH...!" She shrieked, her foot jerking. Laughter bubbled from her lips as she tried to pull away, but Mia held onto Linda's foot firmly.

Sarah howled with laughter. "Oh, I knew it!"

"Mia, have mercy!" Linda gasped between giggles, twisting in her chair.

Mia, grinning, kept scrubbing. "Nope. You signed up for this, Linda."

The salon filled with Linda's uncontrollable laughter as her feet wiggled and squirmed and her toes curled against the ticklish onslaught. Even a few nearby customers glanced over with amused smiles.

Linda finally threw her head back, breathless. "Okay, okay! I surrender!"

Mia chuckled, rinsing off her feet. "Another loss for Linda."

Linda slumped in her chair, panting. "This has to be a scam."

Sarah wiped a tear from her eye. "Nope, this is just entertainment."

Mia patted Linda's ankle. "Same time next week?"

Linda exhaled dramatically. "I suppose. I do love the service here... even if my dignity takes a hit every time."

The three of them burst into laughter, and Linda already knew—next time, she'd lose again, but she wouldn't have it any other way.