Chapter 8
Gia
Ican’t believe two weeks have gone by and the grand re-opening is tomorrow.
When I enter the new studio this morning to make my final touches, the beauty of the room takes my breath away.
Kenzie was so generous in giving me the reins to make my dream come true.
The room is so serene. I chose a very soft and subtle beige for the walls; the floor is wood, which complements the walls.
The room is longer than it is wide, with the double doors at one end and a beautiful pink lotus flower painted on the wall at the other end.
There are two-foot-wide faux shelves, which sit about a foot down from the ceiling on the left and right walls, with soft lighting reflecting upwards.
I have lined the far wall with battery-operated candles.
Today, the mats and pillows will be delivered.
I have chosen a soft mauve, which will complete the look.
Ashley stops by to offer any assistance, but I let her know that everything seems to be going well, but I do appreciate the offer.
The sound guy finished yesterday, so today is the final test to confirm everything is working correctly. He is to be here in about an hour. In the meantime, I just stand at the doorway in awe of this room. So inviting and relaxing.
“Gia, there you are. I figured you would be here. Did you forget about our meeting to finalize the new hires?” Kenzie asks.
“No, I was just getting ready to come to the office. I just wanted to take one last look before the sound guy gets here. I really hope those mats and pillows arrive before noon as promised.”
“I have been assured they will be here, no worries. Now let’s go over these two new hires before they show up this afternoon.”
Kenzie hands me their resumes, which I already have memorized. “Susan Miller and Carol London, both great choices if I say so myself.”
“Yes, and based on their choices of days and hours, I think this will work out great. However, if we do end up adding additional classes, one of them will need to be a bit more flexible.”
Kenzie nods in agreement, and we go over the final schedule for the grand opening tomorrow.
She indicates that we are good, and she will now need to speak to Logan about what is happening in his area tomorrow as well.
The premise of the grand re-opening is to open the gym’s doors to anyone interested in what we have to offer, no structured classes, sessions, etc.
just show and tell so to speak to try to entice new members.
We found out that a gym on the other side of the town will be closing its doors in a few weeks, so this grand re-opening couldn’t have come at a better time.
Flyers were dropped off at various establishments around town as well as certain businesses that we felt would possibly yield additional attendance. Everything was in place.
The sound guy arrived on time, and we went over how to work the system, and I played the first track of the warming intro music that I will be using.
Most of the class will not have music, but I love listening to music when warming up and cooling down.
I believe I have enough of those tracks to use for about a week before repeating.
As promised, at 11:30 a.m. the mats and pillows arrive.
I am going to wait until Susan and Carol arrive to get everything set up.
They are due at 1:00 p.m. so I decided to head over to the new locker room and grab my purse to run down the street for lunch.
A new organic deli opened about a month ago, and it has my favorite salad.
I order my salad and sit down outside to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather.
As I was going over my checklist on my phone, the chair across from me moved, and when I looked up, there stands Logan with a sandwich in his hand.
“Mind if I sit?”
“Of course not, please.” I gesture to the seat. “Can you believe tomorrow is the grand reopening?”
He nods and takes a bite of his sandwich and then moans.
“Their sandwiches are great, aren’t they?” I ask.
“I am more of a steak and potatoes guy, but this sandwich is good. How are things going with the new studio?”
“The mats and pillows came right before I left for lunch, and when the two new part-time instructors arrive at 1:00 p.m. today, we will set the rest of the studio up.”
“So, you and Kenzie finally made a decision on which two instructors you are hiring.”
“We did. Their names are Carol London and Susan Miller.” I watch his eyes grow a bit wide, and then he masks his reaction.
“Well, I guess we will all meet them at our meeting first thing tomorrow morning. I wonder if Marco will hit on them too.”
“I think Marco will hit on anything with a pulse. I have watched him when he works the front desk; he loves the ladies, that’s for sure.”
Logan laughs, and then his face turns serious. “Gia, have you thought about what I asked you to be my Sub?”
I look up at him and smile. “With everything going on at the gym, I still need a bit more time. You have been more than patient, but I ask for just a few more weeks.”
Logan smiles and takes another bite of his sandwich. “Little girl, I will wait as long as your answer is yes.”
We finish our lunches and walk back to the gym together. Just as we approach the door, Susan Miller arrives.
“Hey Logan, fancy meeting you here.”
I look at Logan, and he looks back at me. “Oh, the two of you know each other?”
Susan begins, “Logan and I know each other socially.”
“Yes, socially,” Logan agrees.
Why do I feel a bit of tension right now? Must be my imagination. Just then, Carol walks up, and I introduce her to Logan as well. The girls and I head back to the studio to get the mats and pillows set up.
“That Logan is one hot man, but then again most of the trainers here are above average. Is that a prerequisite to work here?” Carol asks.
“I guess the owners know what they want and know what will attract customers,” Susan adds.
I smile because they are right. The guys here are droolworthy, and I am going to talk to Kenzie about putting together a calendar to make additional money for the gym. I know most of the women who come here would buy it.
After we finished setting everything up and I explained how the sound system works, I bring the ladies to Kenzie’s new office for them to sign the paperwork for their employment.
Yes, an office for her was added during the build-out.
It has been a long day, and I remind the ladies to be here by 8:30 a.m. as our doors open at 9:00 a.m. It was a great idea to have this grand re-opening on a Saturday to attract more visitors.
I even bought a new yoga outfit just for the occasion.
Although the first floor build-out and renovations are done, the apartments are going to take one additional week, but I am not complaining. I will miss my evenings with Sara, and she has said that I can come over and stay anytime I would like. I am sure I will take her up on that.
Logan
After following Gia to her favorite place for lunch, and casually bumping into her, I am shocked to find out that one of my occasional Subs, Susan, has been hired at the gym.
I guess we never had an opportunity to discuss what the other does for a living.
I just hope that she doesn’t start any shit that might jeopardize my relationship with Gia.
My cell rings, and it is the other trainers asking me to go grab a bite to eat.
I decline and tell them I have some paperwork I need to get done so Andy stays off my ass, and I want to check and make sure everything is ready for the grand re-opening of the new space.
From talking with current attendees, most of them will be there tomorrow, and more than half are going to be bringing a friend.
After finishing the paperwork, I go down to Andy’s office, where he is burning the midnight oil. “Hey buddy, what are you still doing here? I know Kenzie isn’t thrilled when you work late.”
“I know; she and I talked this morning, and she understands. I told her to go home and get some rest. I don’t want her on her feet for long periods tomorrow; that baby is really taking the wind out of her sails.”
“Well, she does look like she is ready to pop that little one out. But she is a trooper, and a keeper. You did good, my friend.”
“Is that the paperwork I have been needing for the last two weeks?”
“Yes, sorry it took so long. You know I hate this shit; I would rather just teach the bootcamp classes and not be involved in any of the office stuff.”
“I know, Logan, but it is part of the job. Thanks for helping out with the new wing of the gym, and I am sure tomorrow will be a complete success.”
“I am sure it will. Most of my guys said they will be here tomorrow at some point and will be bringing a new friend, so hopefully we will get some new members out of this. Gia’s space looks amazing. She did a kick-ass job on it, don’t you think?”
“Yes, Kenzie is so happy that she didn’t have to be so involved in that part of the project.
I think we did a good thing in hiring Gia.
Her classes have doubled already, and that is why we hired the two new part-time instructors.
Gia needs to have some downtime; we don’t want her to get burned out. ”
“Well, if you need anything before you leave, I’ll be in the weight room. I need to relax, and lifting will help with that. See you in the morning for the team meeting. Have a good night and give Trina a hug and kiss from me.”
When I walk into the weight room, I am surprised to see Butch in there. He looks like he needs to blow off some steam.
“What the hell are you doing here in the evening, my friend?” I ask.