Chapter Nine #2
“A lot of tightness comes from muscle imbalances that pull other muscles and cause you to overcompensate.” At Harper’s incredulous look, Charlie said, “I swear, it’s true.
And yoga is great to help you work on core strength that’s good for your back and the rest of your overall health.
And stretching will help to loosen up your tight muscles.
It’s a win-win. And I’m getting close to the end of teacher training, so there’s a class next week that’s free because it’s being taught by all six of us novices.
Everyone teaches a different part of the flow that we jointly came up with, and even though only one person will be teaching at any given time, everyone will be walking around giving assists, so it’ll be really nice. ”
Harper’s brows furrowed as she stared. “What are assists, and why would I want one?”
“Sometimes it’s when an instructor assists you with a gentle touch to help bring your body into a better alignment for a pose or to remind you to engage certain muscles or even to help maintain your balance, and sometimes it’s a little mini massage during the relaxation part of the class.
Both are lovely and helpful. And with a room full of six teachers, there are going to be a lot of assists.
Plus, as I already said, it’s free. How can you go wrong?
It’ll be an hour and a half of your life if you include commuting and showering after class.
” She didn’t want it to seem like she was begging Harper to go, but the more she thought about it, the more she wanted her to.
Because she liked spending time with Harper, and it would be really cool to hang out somewhere that wasn’t Harper’s business.
“I don’t have a yoga mat or anything to wear.” Harper continued to put up roadblocks, but Charlie could feel her starting to soften.
“I’ve seen you going for runs. Leggings and a tank top will be fine for yoga, and you can borrow a mat and blocks and all that other stuff.”
“Okay, fine. If you’re not going to give it a rest, maybe I’ll come. If I’m not already scheduled to work. When is it?” Harper said, finally relenting. At least halfway, anyway.
“It’s next Monday at seven p.m. at Anahata Studio, which is only about five blocks from here.
I normally ride my bike, but it’s close enough to walk.
” She knew Harper hadn’t fully committed to going, but she didn’t plan to relent on harassing her so Harper wouldn’t be able to claim she forgot.
“This is going to be great. I know you’re going to love it. ”
“I guess we’re going to find out.”
“Don’t look so glum. I swear, it’s not torture. If you aren’t enjoying it, you can just lie down into savasana and nap through the rest of the class, okay? I don’t think that’s going to happen, but no one will judge you for it.”
“Sounds good. But if I hate it, you owe me a drink for a change. No, no.” Harper paused and looked at the ceiling. “If I hate it, you owe me another dog watching visit.”
“Sure. But I was kind of hoping you might let me hang out with Franky regardless when she’s home alone. She’s so sweet, and snuggling with her just felt good. She’s like a therapy dog.”
Harper chuckled. “Yeah, she probably could be a therapy dog, except I don’t have time to take her to training or work with her at the hospital. But anytime you want to hang out with her, just let me know.”
“How about tonight?”
“Tonight?”
Charlie nodded.
Harper couldn’t believe Charlie wanted to hang out with Franky again so soon. They’d just hung out last night.
Charlie bit the side of her lip when Harper apparently took too long to answer. “I mean, if tonight isn’t good, that’s fine. Whenever you need help works too.”
“No, no, that’s not what I meant. I was just surprised you wanted to hang out with her again. I figured after spending all evening with her last night, you’d have something better to do tonight, you know?” Harper knew she was making this whole thing awkward, but Charlie had thrown her off.
“I’m still fairly new in town, and other than my yoga studio people, you and Franky are the only others I know. And Franky is a good listener.”
“They say that about bartenders too.” Harper hadn’t meant that to sound flirty but knew she’d failed.
And coming so quickly on the heels of telling Charlie that she was going to owe her a drink for a change?
She wanted to roll her eyes at herself but didn’t want Charlie to think she was rolling them at her.
But what the hell was she thinking flirting like that at all?
Thankfully, Charlie just chuckled. “That may be the case, but you’re starting to get busier. You aren’t going to be able to keep talking to just me for much longer. I think your other two employees are getting tired of you not pulling your weight.”
“Luckily, my employees know who signs their paychecks, so…” She shrugged one shoulder. “And I normally spend Sunday evenings doing admin since it’s generally slower. They aren’t used to me even still being back here.”
“Ah, so not a mutiny that you’re prompting, just procrastinating about admin work while you talk to me?”
Harper opened and closed her mouth a few times.
“Not procrastinating. Just…I don’t know.
But it would be a good idea if I get to it.
Payroll isn’t going to do itself, you know?
But you are more than welcome to stop in to see Franky.
Or take her to your place. Can I get you another drink before I head to the back?
You can take it upstairs. Just bring the glass back tomorrow.
” Why was she making things weird? What was wrong with her, and why couldn’t she get past it?
She wanted to be Charlie’s friend. That was it.
Last night, she’d been tired, and her body had been reacting in ways she wasn’t comfortable with, but there was no excuse for weirdness today.
It had to be Charlie’s sweetness at wanting to spend more time with Franky.
That had melted her insides a little last night and apparently still was today.
Charlie looked into her glass and the two sips left. “Yeah, another to take upstairs would be great. I need to go make dinner. Does Franky need anything? A walk? Dinner?”
“No, she’s good, but thank you for checking in on her and hanging out. I know she gets lonely in the evening sometimes. Even when the weather isn’t bad.”
“I guess we’re doing each other a favor, then,” Charlie said when Harper put her drink in front of her. “What do I owe you tonight?”
“On the house, remember?” Harper said. “As partial payment for taking such amazing care of my girl last night and going above and beyond, risking life and limb—or at least your spine—to help keep her calm during the storm. Your money isn’t good here today.”
Charlie shook her head. “You’re silly, but thank you. No payment necessary, but I appreciate the drinks. You really are a master.” As she stood, she said, “Let me know when you’re coming up. I can bring her back over, or feel free to just knock on my door.”
After Charlie left, Harper headed back to her office to work on some of the admin parts of bar ownership—payroll and paying bills were on the agenda that night—but her mind was not focused at all.
Well, it was focused. But on Charlie, not work.
She walked to her filing cabinet, grabbing the small photo of her and Kelly that she kept up there.
She liked having Kelly in the room to watch over her and so she could talk to her if she needed to, but a big picture or having it on her desk felt like too much.
She needed to be able to function without being overtaken by grief.
She took the photo to the desk and sank into her chair, staring into Kelly’s eyes, wishing with all her heart that she could talk to her.
She touched her face through the glass. “What do you think? I can’t date anyone, can I?
I was your soulmate, and you were mine. And the fucking CTA took you from me.
No one out there is as perfect a fit for me as you were.
It doesn’t matter that I’m a little attracted to her, and I have a hard time not flirting with her. I just miss you still.”
Her throat felt thick, and she swallowed back tears. What had that grief counselor told her? That there was no expiration on grief and no right or wrong way to grieve. Something like that. Andrew wanted her to move on, but she couldn’t. She didn’t think she’d ever be ready.
So she had to keep Charlie in the friend zone.
It was where she belonged. Despite Harper’s incessant need to flirt with her while she was working.
She reminded herself that she flirted with everyone at the bar.
It was what good bartenders did. But that little voice in her head kept reminding her that she didn’t flirt with Charlie the way she flirted with everyone.
She flirted with her as though she was interested, but Charlie had to be off-limits. Anything serious was off-limits.
And that was that.