The Friends We Keep

She shifted so she and Pam sat facing each other, legs outstretched, feet touching. They reached out and grabbed hands, then Pam pulled Nicole toward her into a forward bend. The hamstring stretch was perfect, Nicole thought, letting her body relax. She sat up and pulled her friend forward. Pam leaned into the motion.

“You’re exhausting me,” Gabby grumbled. “Can’t you two let it be? Class is over. I still have to crawl to my car.”

Nicole grinned at her. “You should stretch or you’re going to hurt tomorrow.”

“I’ll hurt tomorrow anyway.”

Pam released Nicole and patted Gabby’s thigh. “Don’t join the beginner’s class. Stay with us. We’re more fun.”

“This class will kill me.”

“You say that now,” Nicole told her. “But trust me. In a few weeks, you’ll be able to keep up.”

Gabby groaned. “You’re so lying.”

The other women laughed.

Nicole knew she was telling the truth. Gabby was out of shape and needed to lose a few pounds—Nicole guessed close to thirty to be in fighting shape. But not everyone wanted to work out. That made no sense to her. She’d been active her whole life. But then when Hayley had tricked her into signing up for a knitting class, Nicole had hated everything about it. She’d quit rather than risk doing someone in with a knitting needle.

“It’s whatever you want,” she told her friend. “You are welcome at any of my classes. This one is more advanced, but you know everyone. My beginner’s class is definitely easier, but less social.”

“You can try the other one,” Shannon suggested. “Then figure out what you want to do.”

“Always with the reason,” Pam said as she stood. “You continue to impress me, missy.” She stretched up her arms, then shook out her shoulders. “I have to go. Lulu and I have a busy afternoon planned. See you all on Friday.”

Pam collected her tote, picked up Lulu. Gabby limped after her.

“Take a hot shower,” Nicole told her. “And an anti-inflammatory.”

Gabby groaned, waved and walked out of the studio. Shannon went to get her things and Nicole headed for her office. She had a couple of hours until her next class. As she passed by the front door of the studio, she saw someone approaching. A man. A familiar man with dark hair and beautiful brown eyes.

She came to a stop, not sure what to do. There was nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. Okay, she could hole up in the bathroom, but for how long?

She pressed a hand to her suddenly fluttering stomach. Well, crap.

“Nicole, are you okay?” Shannon asked.

Nicole twisted her fingers together and motioned to the door. Before she could speak, Jairus walked inside.

“Hey,” he said. “You do work here. I wasn’t sure the counselor at Tyler’s camp was giving me right information.”

Shannon walked briskly toward him. Despite wearing capri-length leggings and a tank top, she radiated control and power.

“Hello,” she said, holding out her hand. “I’m Shannon. Who are you?”

“Jairus Sterenberg.”

Shannon’s eyes widened. “The Brad the Dragon guy. That was this week? Huh. I thought you’d have horns.” She looked at Nicole. “Do we like him?”

“Horns?” Jairus repeated.

Nicole shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t think so. He’s not evil.”

“You know I’m standing here, right?”

Shannon ignored him. “Was he good with the kids?”

“Yes, but it could have been an act.”

Jairus frowned. “It wasn’t an act. I like kids. That’s why I write kids’ books. And I’m still right here.”

Shannon sighed as she looked at him. “We obviously don’t care about that.” She turned back to Nicole. “I’m going to make a phone call. I’ll be by my car.” She pointed. “Right there. Where I can see everything.”

Nicole nodded, grateful for the not very subtle message that she wasn’t going to be alone with Jairus. Because being alone with him was confusing. Or uncomfortable. Tingle-worthy but weird.

Nicole forced herself to face Jairus. “You’re here,” she said unnecessarily. Still, the obvious observation seemed to be the safest.

“I am.” He smiled. “Hi.”

He had a good smile. Easy. Friendly. Appealing. She found herself wanting to step toward him. To smile back. To give in to whatever he was asking.

No, no and no. She took a step back and folded her arms across her chest. “Hello.”

He didn’t seem deterred by her body language. “I wanted to see you again.”

“Why?”

The smile broadened. “You can’t still be mad at me. I apologized sincerely.”

“How do I know it was sincere?”

“You know. I was mortified.”

She couldn’t remember the last time a man had used the word mortified in a conversation. Huh. “You’re right. You did apologize. So why are you here?”

“I thought we could get coffee.”

“I’m at work.”

He glanced around the empty studio. “You don’t have a class.”

“I will.”

“Then dinner.”

He was asking her out? This was the first time a guy had asked her out since she’d met Eric nearly eight years ago. She hadn’t dated since the divorce, hadn’t been interested. And she wasn’t now, no matter how good Jairus looked or how easy his smile.

“No, thank you.”