Chapter 14

Eliza soaked up the spring sunshine as she crossed the street, packing herself into the crosswalk with the crowd. It should have smelled like newly blooming flowers and freshly cut grass, judging by the way the wind carried the sparrow’s high-pitched notes above her. But it smelled instead like chili dogs and deodorant. She pushed her way through and looked up at a sign overhead – Fitness Palace. She took a deep breath, opened the door, and stepped through it. She was immediately greeted by a broad woman with an impossibly high ponytail behind the counter.

“Hello, welcome to Fitness Palace. Is this your first time?”

Is it that obvious? “I called earlier and spoke to…Matt, I think. I have something for him.” Eliza held up the folder she carried in her arm.

“Matt?” The woman turned and yelled over her shoulder.

“Yeah?” Matt came out from behind an office door, wearing gym clothes, a name tag, and bigger biceps than Eliza had seen on anyone, ever. “You must be Eliza. Follow me.”

She followed him to a cramped back office, where they talked about her photography skills and how she could use them to help market the gym. He was as agreeable as she expected and open to her taking photos for their website, and within thirty minutes, she had an appointment to return for the job.

She walked out of the back office, glancing around the room and taking in the angles and lighting, when she spotted David at a table across the gym, drenched in sweat and working on a computer.

Odd place to do that.

He looked up and waved as he took his earbuds out. He jogged over. “Hey! Lizzy, right?”

She nodded. “Though most people call me Eliza.” Drenched or not, he was as handsome as ever.

“Ah, well. Eliza, I didn’t know you came here.”

She looked down at her outfit, a pair of jeans and a light sweater. “I don’t. I had a meeting with the manager.”

“You had a meeting with Matt? Here?”

She wondered if her smile looked as cheesy as it felt. Her head was still spinning with success. “Yeah, I…I was hoping to take some pictures for their website.”

“Oh, so you’re a…photographer? And a barista?”

“Yeah.” She nodded.

“And how did it go?”

“What – oh, the meeting. Good, I think. I’m coming back next week.”

He leaned over and clicked his tongue. “You know, since I started going to that coffee shop, I’ve been running into you everywhere.”

“Or maybe you just notice me now that you recognize me.”

He shook his head. “No, I’d remember you.”

She felt her cheeks flush and hoped he didn’t notice. “You’ll be here, won’t you? So I can snap a picture of you in action, punching the keys on that computer over there?” She held her fingers up and pretended to click an invisible camera.

“Uh-huh.” He placed his hands on his hips, puffed out his chest, and flexed. “Just so you know, I’ve already completed a grueling workout today.”

A laugh escaped as she relaxed, losing herself in his warm smile and clear, green eyes.

He deflated himself. “Actually, I’m studying to become a personal trainer.”

“Oh! Maybe you can teach my lazy bones to want to exercise.”

“Crushing two jobs is hardly lazy.”

He might be right, but she didn’t have time to think about it. She had a shift starting in ten minutes, and the gym was an eight-minute walk from the coffee shop on a good day.

“Sorry, but I have to go.”

“Oh, yeah…ok. I guess I’ll see you around?”

“I hope so.” She waved as she turned toward the door.

She didn’t want to go – she wanted to stay and talk to him. His eyes were all expectation and eagerness, and her heart was…comfortable. More than anxious or fluttered, she felt relaxed in his presence. Was it something in his smile? Or in those pale green eyes that reflected something she couldn’t put her finger on?

She was distracted the whole evening by these musings. She kept the encounter a secret from Andi since she would undoubtedly jump at the opportunity to tease Eliza. No way would she admit to having a crush on him, even a small one, so she did her best to focus on her work until the shift was over.

She was home in her pajamas, ready for a long night of editing, before she realized she had missed a text message earlier in the evening while pondering a handsome patron on her way home from work.

Why is it so hard to look someone you like in the eye and ask them out?

How was she supposed to know? She had never asked anyone out.

Nerves? Adrenaline? I don’t know, I’ve never had to do it.

She opened her laptop and started working but kept a close eye on her phone.

I wouldn’t complain if that fell a little more to the female lot than it does. No offense.

None taken.

I have schmoozed many business-savvy men into closing accounts with me. Talked my way into and out of things – trouble, opportunities, you name it. No problem. I’ve asked women out. I don’t get nervous, or at least it never stops me when I do.

She chose her reply carefully, trying to put herself in his shoes when she had never had to think about it before.

Any chance you’re overthinking it?

Of course, I’m overthinking it. I’ve been overthinking everything for the last six months. I think I’m just too scared to make another mistake. It’s all I’ve done for the last few years.

She wanted to point out how much he had changed in that time, but she knew it was not a guarantee that things would be different.

What would be the bigger mistake? A missed opportunity or a failed relationship?

She chewed on her lip, hoping her answer wasn’t too brutally honest. So much could be skewed over text, and they had gotten along well for six months now.

Good question. I don’t know. I just know I don’t want to mess this one up. How do I make sure it’s right? How do I make sure I do it right?

It was time to be honest with him – he was asking the wrong person.

Well, since I can count on one finger the number of serious relationships I’ve been in, I’m no expert. But it’s not about the mistakes we make so much as what we do with them. And that’s something you have control over.

She smiled at the wisdom her dad had given her years ago as she reeled from one teenage upset after another. She watched him live it, too, when he made mistakes involving those he loved. He was the picture of grace and forgiveness she hoped to find in her romantic endeavors someday.

Very wise for someone with no experience.

No ROMANTIC experience. I have plenty of experience with people in general.

Fair enough. You’re right, though. And I don’t want to miss out on this one. I’ll ask her out this week.

Good for you! I hope it goes well.

If it doesn’t, you’ll be hearing from me.

She hoped to hear from him either way. Should I tell him that? She twirled her fingers into the blanket draped over her legs, nervously contemplating what she was about to say.

If it doesn’t, you can meet me under the bridge next to the zoo entrance in the park on Saturday evening. It’s a favorite spot of mine. If you want to, of course.

If I want to? Of course, I want to. 10 pm?

I’ll be there.