soon.
Summer never figured out how the week could go so slowly, and yet starting at six o’clock on a Friday evening, the time suddenly picked up pace and fast-forwarded through the entire weekend in a blur. At least that was how it felt to her. And this weekend had been no different.
Her day was full from speaking with clients, rearranging schedules, and working with vendors for some black and navy-blue mats and to add some vending machines to the break area.
Today her yoga session with Greg was scheduled at the end of the day. She hadn’t seen him at all over the weekend, not since dinner at her aunt and uncle’s on Friday evening. She’d noticed that when he’d agreed that they could be friends again, Agnes Dewey had witnessed it all. Was that why he’d been so agreeable?
Her heart sank at the thought. The best thing she could do was find him another instructor. Brenda had broken her ankle, and it would require surgery, so she would be off work for a long time.
Last week Summer had hired a new instructor. Lisa had just moved to the island and had years of yoga experience. She would be perfect for this, and Greg would be more comfortable. She would talk to Greg when he arrived.
Summer stepped out of her office as a class was ending. She approached the group of people and thanked everyone for attending. She believed a personal approach was the best way to grow her business. People needed to know their attendance was welcome and most appreciated.
Abby Schultz and Flo Sanderson were the last two to leave. Abby looked to be in her early forties. She was the tallest of the two by a couple of inches. She was slender, and her face was perfectly made up, and even after a yoga session, not a strand of her shoulder-length auburn hair looked out of place.
Flo looked to be about the same age and was a bit on the shorter side, maybe five feet two inches. She was curvy with long bleach-blond hair. And though her makeup was a bit smudged, it was her smile that made her eyes light up.
Abby was new to the island and had recently opened The Bluffs at Bluestar that overlooked the ocean. It was a jacket-and-necktie-required restaurant. And it was reservation only—even then it was difficult to get a table.
And from what Summer had gathered, Flo was just a visitor to the island. She’d come to visit with Abby and would soon be gone.
Twin smiles lit up their faces when they spotted her at the doorway. “Hello, ladies. How was your session?”
“It was wonderful,” Flo said.
“I just love it here,” Abby said. “I don’t know what took me so long to give it a try. Oh, yes, I do. Starting a new restaurant. It has taken all of my time and energy, but I regret not coming sooner.”
Their compliments filled Summer with joy. “Thank you, ladies. I’m so happy to hear that you’ve enjoyed your time here. And I hope you both come back. Abby, I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about The Bluffs. I look forward to visiting your place soon. I’ve heard the waiting list is the hardest on the island to get on.”
Abby waved off her compliment. “Just call me, and I’ll make sure you get a table.”
“Thank you. I will.” The only problem was that she didn’t have anyone to go to dinner with—um, a guy friend that is.
“Am I late?” The male voice came from behind her.
Talk about unbelievable timing. Summer didn’t have to turn around to know that Greg had shown up for their session. The last thing she wanted to do was let on that Greg’s presence got to her—that he was any different than anyone else who frequented the studio.
She plastered a smile on her face, and then she turned. “You’re right on time.”
“We need to talk.” There was a very serious look on his face.
Her gut told her that he was there to quit the lessons. She knew it. But she didn’t want him quitting in front of these women—one of whom was influential with the locals. She just had to stall him until they left. “But first I’d like to introduce you to two lovely ladies.”
As he stepped closer, he noticed the other two women inside the room. “Oh. Hello. I didn’t realize you weren’t alone.”
“Greg Hoover, I’d like you to meet Abby Schultz and Flo Sanderson. Ladies, this guy does magic with food. He’s currently working at the Purple Guppy. If you haven’t been there, you should try it.” Not that she had been there since moving back to the island, because she knew Greg worked there, and she didn’t want to intrude upon his territory, even if she missed having a guppy burger.
Greg shook hands with both ladies. “It’s nice to meet you both.”
“I can’t wait to visit the Purple Guppy. The name is certainly intriguing.” Flo smiled. “I’ll have to make sure and stop by before I leave the island.”
“You don’t want to miss it,” Abby said.
Flo smiled. “I’m sold. I’ll have to have dinner there today. What do you recommend?”
For a moment, they talked food. Well, she talked food with Flo and Abby while Greg stood off to the side with an amused look on his face. When they tried to get him to recommend something from the menu, he politely declined, saying he didn’t have a favorite. He loved them all. He’d said it with such sincerity that Summer believed him.
“And so you come here after eating all of that delicious food to keep your trim figure?” Abby looked expectantly at Greg.
“Uh, I’m actually a new student.”
Abby’s smile broadened as she nodded in understanding. “It’s about time men around here get into yoga. Good for you. And now we should get going so you can get on with your class.”
“We’ll see you tonight.” Flo smiled. Just as quickly the smile disappeared. “You are working tonight, aren’t you?”
Greg nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be there.”
The smile returned to Flo’s face. Then she nudged Abby. “We’ll be there, won’t we?”
“You want me to eat at the competition, huh?” Abby’s expression was serious.
For a moment, an awkward silence filled the room.
Flo looked flustered. “Well, you need to know who you’re up against, don’t you?”
Abby smiled. “I was joking. I think there’s plenty of room on the island for all of the restaurants, or I wouldn’t have moved here. And I’d be happy to visit the Purple Guppy.”
“Great,” Flo said. “We’ll be seeing you.”
Abby turned to Greg. “And I expect we’ll be running into each other here from time to time. I hope you have a great session..”
“Thanks.”
Once the ladies were out the door, Summer turned to him. “You made quite an impression on them.”
“Do you know who that was?” he started as the women moved down the sidewalk.
“Of course, I do. Remember? I introduced you to them. It was Abby Schultz and her best friend, Flo, from New York City.”
“Yes, but do you know that Abby owns The Bluffs? The hottest restaurant on the island.”
She’d never seen Greg so awestruck before. A searing bolt of jealousy hit in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t tell if he was interested in Abby, who was older than him but divorced and available. She was a beautiful woman. Why wouldn’t he be interested in her?
Or was he impressed with the restaurant that Abby had opened? Summer had heard nothing but amazing things about The Bluffs.
Either way, she felt as though she couldn’t compete, not that she was trying. That ship had most definitely sailed a long time ago. Right now, she’d be happy if they could be friends again.
Summer swallowed hard. “What was it you wanted to talk about?”
He turned to her. “Uh…” He looked torn as though unsure if he should say what he’d intended. “It was nothing.”
He was keeping something from her. She could feel it. And she didn’t like the thought of him tiptoeing around her. “Whatever it is, just say it. If this is about Friday and you agreeing to be friends again because Agnes was listening—”
“It’s not that. I meant what I said.” He pressed his hands to his lean waist and sighed. “I came here to quit.”
She nodded. “That’s what I figured. I could find you another instructor. If you would just give it a little longer, I think it’ll help you.”
He was quiet, as though he were reconsidering his decision to quit her class. She didn’t know if she should say something to further persuade him or not. In the end, she decided to err on the side of caution and let him come to his own conclusion in his own time.
He glanced her way. “You really think if I give this more time, it’ll help me?”
“I do.”
“Then let’s get to it.”
“I can see who’s available to work with you.”
“No. I want you to continue working with you. In fact, I was thinking maybe we should do daily sessions.”
A smile pulled at her lips. “We could do that if you feel up to it.” When he nodded, she said, “Okay then let’s get started.”
She led him into the room. He paused to grab a mat, and then she noticed he removed his shoes without a complaint before making himself comfortable on the mat. Maybe there was a chance they could figure out how to be friends again. She hoped.