Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Sophie
“Well?” Keera asked. “How long are you going to keep us in suspense?”
“We literally just logged on.”
“You should have texted before you left the studio like you did the last three days,” Eve said.
“But I knew we were Zooming today so I figured I’d just tell you in person.” I shrugged. “Face to face, at any rate.”
“And yet you’re not.”
Anjannette delivered those four words as if she was on stage. She’s usually dramatic, but when she starts sounding like she’s reciting lines in a Shakespearean play, it’s time to stop messing with her.
I looked at my three best friends’ anxious faces staring back at me from my computer screen.
"I did it," I said. "I passed all four of my pole dance certifications."
Thankfully I’m not wearing my AirPods, because their shouts probably would have punctured my eardrums.
“It was actually easier than I anticipated,” I said once they settled down.
“I told you there was nothing to worry about,” Anjannette said. “You’ve been doing most of the moves for a while now.”
“Yeah, but it’s been years since I had to take any kind of test and I was nervous.”
“Technically you’re tested every time you release a book,” Keera said, then shifted her eyes to Eve. “You both are.”
She sort of has a point and I told her so.
“This is a little different though. I can ignore bad reviews and negative comments on social media. It’d be pretty hard to ignore Elliott standing in front of me telling me I didn’t make the cut.”
“But he didn’t say that because you passed !” Keera shouted those last two words and did a little chair dance.
“Now I can be your studio bitch and work when you don’t want to,” I said, embracing the title we discussed when I first talked about getting certified.
“Cheers to that.”
Anjannette held up her tumbler and tapped it against the screen. We followed suit with our various drink vessels.
“So tell us, what were the classes like?” Eve asked, leaning forward in her chair.
“The days were long, but Elliott was so much fun, he kept the energy up in the room.”
“I’m guessing he had helpers,” Anjannette said.
“Yeah, Kat, Ruth, and Jamie. The three of them were there for the first two levels, but it was just Kat and Ruth at levels three and four.” I was pretty bummed when Jamie didn’t show up again, but didn’t mention it. Instead, I said, “But there were only four people the last two days, so Jamie wasn’t really needed.”
“Is that a girl or a guy?” Keera asked.
I hesitated for a second before answering.
“A guy.”
She raised her eyebrows.
“Ooh, is he hot?”
“Let’s just say that if he was one of my heroes, I’d describe him as tall, dark, and brooding.”
“Nice,” Anjannette said.
“I didn’t see him without a shirt on, but I can guarantee there was a six pack under there. The man was solid.”
“Wait.” Eve leaned forward until her face filled the entire Zoom square. “Are you interested in him?” she asked using a sing-song voice.
My face heated and I looked away, not sure how to answer. As a stall tactic, I picked up my tumbler and took a drink.
“I did feel some chemistry, but he didn’t seem affected,” I said. “And I’m not really sure what his relationship with Elliott is. At first I thought they might be a couple, but then…” I trailed off and shrugged. “I didn’t really get a gay vibe from Jamie, but he and Elliott bickered like an old married couple most of the time. And there was no doubt about Elliott’s sexuality. I got there early the first day, and before he changed into a tank top sporting The Pole Experience logo, his T-shirt said, Is It Gay In Here Or Is It Just Me? ”
“Yeah, that sounds like Elliott,” Anjannette said with a smile. “You should have asked Jamie to go for a drink.”
I shook my head.
“If he’d shown any interest, maybe.” I shrugged. “But he didn’t.”
“Any other cute guys hanging around?” Keera asked.
“Not that I noticed,” I said, then added, “And not that it matters. I was here to get my certification. Now that I’ve passed all four levels, I need to focus on writing.”
That led to a discussion of my current work in progress. My friends always have some great ideas for my books and they didn’t disappoint. I wrote down some character quirks for my heroine and a few plot twists I hadn’t thought of that will work perfectly.
“I hate to break up the party, but I have a class in twenty minutes,” Keera said.
“Yeah, I better get going too,” Eve said. “I’m meeting my mom for dinner and I still need to hop in the shower.”
“I should shower too,” I said. “I’m going to treat myself to a nice steak dinner to celebrate passing my certifications.”
“Get some good wine too. You deserve it,” Anjannette said. “We’ll go out and celebrate next week.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
We signed off and I headed to the bathroom, pulling the scrunchie from my hair on the way. I looked in the mirror and crinkled my nose. I worked up quite a sweat in class today, so I desperately need a shower. But I really don’t feel like doing my hair.
Talk about first world problems.
I ran a brush through my hair and decided I could work with it. It’s not like I’m going anywhere special or will be seeing people I know. Who cares if I don’t look perfect?
Decision made, I turned on the shower, stripped, and stepped inside letting the hot spray wash away the day.
Jamie
I pulled into the parking lot of the pole studio and groaned when I saw Elliott's car.
“What’s he still doing here?” I muttered out loud.
Class ended two hours ago, so I figured he’d be long gone. Especially since Josh is home.
After pulling into the spot next to him, I grabbed my toolbox and the plastic bag of supplies off the passenger seat and stepped out of the truck. I walked into the studio and saw Elliott sitting at the desk, working on the computer.
“Hey,” I said as I set my things down next to the dressing room door.
“You’re late.” His eyes shifted to me, then back to the screen. “Class ended a couple hours ago.”
I ignored his snarky comment and pulled a Phillips-head screwdriver out of the toolbox, then got to work. If Elliott doesn’t distract me, this shouldn’t take too long.
After removing the old doorknob, I wrestled the new one out of the packaging. I felt Elliott watching me, but he didn’t say anything as I installed the plate on top of the latch and slid it inside the edge of the door. Grabbing a wood block and hammer out of my toolbox, I tapped it into place, then secured it with two screws.
I was about to install the first half of the doorknob when he finally spoke.
“You should have come yesterday and today.” When I didn’t comment, he added, “There were definitely sparks flying between you and Sophie. You could have asked her out to see if there was something there.”
I positioned the other half of the knob against the first one, then pushed the two sides together making sure they’re perfectly aligned.
Aside from the fact I told Elliott I’d help him out for the first two classes, the reason I didn’t go to the last two is because there was chemistry between Sophie and me. If Elliott hadn’t noticed, I probably would have shown up, but he did, and of course started playing matchmaker. Why else would he have me working with Sophie?
I attached both knob ends with screws then opened and shut the door a couple times to make sure it worked okay.
“This is all set,” I said, tossing the old components into the plastic bag and tying the handles into a tight knot.
“That’s all you’re gonna say?”
“What else do you want me to say?”
“You liked Sophie.” He pointed his index finger at me. “Don’t try to deny it.”
I’m not going to deny it, but I’m also not going to confirm it. He’ll never drop it if I do. Besides, it doesn’t matter. It’s not like she lives nearby. Now that class is over, she’ll have trekked back to wherever home is.
Which is kind of unfortunate if I’m being honest. Sophie is the first woman who’s caught my interest in a long time. I shook my head, clearing the what if that popped into my mind.
“I’m going to grab a bite to eat. Want to join me?” I asked, changing the subject.
“No thanks,” he said. “Josh and I have plans.”
“Okay.” I tossed the plastic bag into the garbage. “Well, enjoy.”
I grabbed my toolbox and headed toward the door.
“Thank you for installing the new doorknob, and for everything else you did to update the studio.”
“You’re welcome.” I opened the door, then turned to face him. “I know you want me to find someone, but I’m okay, El. Sophie seemed nice, but I’m not looking for anyone. And if I was, I wouldn’t just want a one-night stand. That’s never been my thing.”
“Understood.” The corner of his mouth kicked up as he nodded. “Have a good night.”
I left the studio, got back into my truck, and headed home.
No matter how much he says he understands, I know Elliott will try to set me up again at some point. And as annoying as that can be, I suppose there are worse things in the world.
My stomach growled as I let myself into the dark house. I removed my work boots and left them in the mud room. Without turning on the lights, I padded through the kitchen and living room, then up the stairs.
When I reached my bedroom, I clicked on the small lamp on the nightstand, then tossed my phone onto the bed. I stripped on my way to the bathroom, leaving a trail of clothes behind me. After stepping into the shower, I turned the knob, sucking in a sharp breath as the icy water pounded against my chest.
Turning my back against the spray, I enjoyed the sensation of the cold water on my skin for a few seconds before leaning forward to pump shampoo into my palm. The water warmed as I washed my hair, and the room was full of steam by the time I gave my body a final rinse.
I turned off the water, grabbed a towel off the shelf, and dragged it over my body and through my hair before tying it around my waist. The bedroom felt cold after being cocooned in the warm bathroom and I finished drying then slipped into sweatpants and an old T-shirt before grabbing my cell and heading downstairs.
My stomach growled again as I stared into my empty refrigerator. I’m sure I could scrounge up pasta and a jar of sauce from my cupboards, but I want something more substantial. I have a couple steaks in the freezer, but I think I’ll go out for one instead.
After throwing on jeans and a sweater, I decided to walk to the restaurant a couple blocks away. It’ll feel good to move after sitting on my ass in the truck most of the day.
I set off down the block and inhaled deeply, letting it out in a billowy cloud of fog. For the most part it’s been a mild winter, and tonight is no different. It’s January in Brooklyn and the temperature is above freezing. Can’t beat that.
My phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my pocket.
Judy: I just emailed the tax and utilities information you requested.
Let me know if you need anything else or have any questions.
Jamie: Okay, I’m out right now. Will look it over when I get home.
Judy: Perfect. Have a good night.
Jamie: You too.
I thought about the houses she showed me today, making a mental pro and con list for each as I walked down the block. They need some work, but the price is right. I just don’t know if I want to drive to White Plains every day. Although I guess I could stay there to fix it up instead of commuting back and forth.
Before I could think much more about that, a lone figure caught my eye across the street, just down the block. I stopped and watched as she opened the door to the bookstore. A gust of wind blew her hair across her face and she shoved it out of the way just before stepping inside.
Sophie.
Without thinking, I crossed the street and practically ran the half block until I was standing outside the store. I looked in the window and didn’t see her, or anyone else for that matter. Before I could second-guess myself, I opened the door and stepped inside.