Chapter 7
Leah kicked off her heels as she entered her house. Tossing her keys in the basket, she picked up her shoes and strolled to her bedroom. After changing into her pajamas, she searched her refrigerator for leftovers and searched her leftover stir-fry on the middle shelf. After fixing herself a plate and heating it up, Leah took a seat on her couch.
Anxiety swirled through her. Modeling her own clothes for her own site? It never even crossed her mind before. Not bothering to turn the television on, she pondered the idea, eating faster than she probably should. She finished her dinner in record time, though tasting almost none of it, and walked over to her sink to wash her plate. More so than the modeling question, Leah found herself mostly preoccupied with thoughts of Cole. Glowing at even the thought of his name, Leah pressed her lips together. She headed to her bedroom.
It wouldn’t be fair to get involved with him or anyone so soon after her breakup. Though her wish to be happily coupled whispered in the back of her mind, Leah didn’t see it happening soon. Even if something brewed between her and Cole, she didn’t want him to be the rebound guy. Besides, they were friends. Leah didn’t want to tamper with that. Her emotions had already been through a rollercoaster, so dating soon wasn’t in the cards.
It would take time to get used to being single, especially since it was so contrary to what she’d always wanted. She wanted to be a wife and a mother. A half a smile tugged at her lips as she envisioned her wedding day. Her mother’s ivory floor-length wedding dress waited for her even now, tucked in the back of her closet. I wanted to wear it for Brian.
Leah rose from her seat on her bed and moved to her bookshelf in the corner. While most of the shelves contained old yearbooks and pictures from childhood, one shelf had a few books. Leah’s eyes darted to Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera. She clutched the classic in her hands and grinned. It was one of her favorites. While she usually waited until the fall, Leah pivoted and walked back to her bed.
The pages brushed together as she opened to the first chapter. She leaned her back against her headboard and crossed her ankles in front of her. Ten minutes into the book and Leah’s’ eyes drooped. Setting the alarm for the next day, she placed the book on her nightstand and turned off her lamp. She rubbed her eyes and yawned before dozing off to sleep.
****
Cole dabbed his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand. His chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. He raised his chin to admire the sunrise streaming through the clouds. During his jog, he had passed a field of sunflowers with a weathered barn in its center. Cole even spotted a flock of birds rising and flying away all at once, their chirps filling the background.
He walked back to his brother’s house to shower and change. Inwardly, he smiled. Cole then assessed his brother’s refrigerator for breakfast. The corners of his mouth turned up at the sight of his mother’s dishpan, comprising her mouthwatering breakfast tacos. Cole loved them as a kid, so he wasted no time heating two in the microwave.
He played with his phone as he chewed. Scrambled eggs and bacon bits danced across his taste buds. His eyes widened when he noticed he had quite a few emails, mostly job opportunities from potential clients. Some offered jobs were out of the country, but Cole wanted to slow down from traveling. He wanted to plant roots in Piedmont Valley. Not everyone understood his decision, usually those who had never left town. For him, it took leaving to understand what he had, to value the simple things in life.
Cleaning his mess and locking the door behind him, Cole walked down the sidewalk of his brother’s neighborhood, feeling drawn almost instinctively to Adele’s Baked Goods. He smelled the cinnamon in the air long before he saw the store’s sign, making his anticipation grow. The bell chimed as he walked in and Adele greeted him behind the counter, with the corners of her eyes crinkling. Cole smiled back at his longtime friend, who treated him like a grandson. The last time he visited, he was happy to know she and her husband still portrayed Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the children at the community center every year.
“I see you’re back,” her cheery voice stated.
“I was hoping to take two your croissants for the road.”
Adele reached her gloved hands inside the display case for his order. She tilted her head. “No chocolate muffins?”
“Not today. I had to jog to get over the last one.”
Adele lifted an eyebrow. “Sweets never hurt anyone; just don’t go overboard. Besides, you look like you could use some meat on those bones.”
“I promise I’m eating. I still like the meat and potatoes. Like you said, I don’t go overboard.”
“That’s my kind of man.” She handed him his brown paper bag as she tallied up his order.
Cole waited for his change as his eyes darted to the framed photos on the walls.
“Memories?” Adele said.
He sighed. “It’s good to be home.”
“And we’re glad you’re back, Cole. You and Seth. You both were quite a force to be reckoned with back in the day.”
Cole rubbed his forehead. “I don’t think we’ll ever live down the fireworks.”
She winked. “Best New Year’s Eve party this town has ever seen.” She handed him his change.
“I agree. Have a good day, Miss. Adele. Tell Mr. Victor I said hello.”
A corner of her mouth lifted. “You know what, Cole. Our fortieth anniversary is coming up soon. I think I’d like some photos. Do you think you could help us out with that?”
Cole beamed. “Of course. Let me know when you’re ready and we can set up an appointment at my studio.”
Adele clapped her hands in obvious excitement, her crystal blue eyes sparkling at him. “You’re such a good man, Cole. I better get an invitation to your wedding.”
His eyes widened. Marriage was not his main priority, but the thoughts had crossed his mind more frequently. “Miss. Adele, I haven’t met the woman yet.”
She slipped him a curious glance. “I know you will. I’ll tell Victor you said hello and I’ll get back with you about the photos.”
Another customer came through the door, so Cole waved goodbye and exited the building. His heart nearly stopped at Miss. Adele’s words. It ran through his mind like a runner on a track field. Would that happen for him?
****
Leah bounced on her toes in the dance studio. She didn’t plan on running into Juan and Gia on her girls’ night out with Gemma, but the couple had stopped by the table to say hello. The husband and wife team had only been living in Piedmont Valley for the last two years, and their dance school was already popular. After Gia mentioned their salsa classes would start soon, excitement raced through Leah. Despite the fear twisting in her gut, she reserved a spot in their class.
Leah wrapped her arms around herself. Her list was coming along. She recalled how she had chosen the stationery next to her refrigerator and tore off a page, then snatching up a pen to jot down her thoughts. What do I want? In answer, she had written out a list:
Expand my online business (check LOL)
Change my hair color (maybe highlights)
Change up my workout routine. (Pilates?)
Read… 100 books (I always wanted to read the classics)
Ride a horse (say my prayers before I do that LOL)
Take salsa lessons
Leah had leaned against the counter and sighed, mentally preparing to write something that mattered—something for her, not a goal.
Take myself out on a date
Get to know me again
She had drawn in a long breath. Taking herself out—sitting at a table by herself—made her cringe inwardly. Could she handle the stares of everyone? Would they even care? Leah rubbed her forehead. This was about her. Before she got into another relationship, she wanted time alone. A dating hiatus.
With her list still in hand, Leah had strolled to her bedroom. She sat on her bed and glanced up at the ceiling. Being single? While her list of exes was a short one, Leah had never went too long without a boyfriend. Being by herself would be new territory. Was that what she needed? What if the person she needed to fall in love with first was herself?
Leah rubbed her palms together. As she stood in her low heels and dance attire, Leah observed Juan and Gia carefully. They practically flowed across the dance floor, their bodies moving together as one. Leah wasn’t the only new student in the class. She recognized Mr. and Mrs. Clancy, the owners of the local bookstore, and Aisha and her husband Darius, former classmates of hers. Leah greeted them with hugs, seeing as the women were regulars in her boutique. The class faced forward, all seeing themselves in the floor-length mirrors lining the wall.
Juan pointed to his feet. “We will start in what we call a neutral position. Walk forward on one step and walk back on the other. Your steps will be in place.”
Leah followed Juan’s instructions as she mimicked the steps. Then she observed when he took Gia in his arms. They showed the basic steps to the class together. Leah’s eyes sparkled.
Juan led his wife back and forth on the dance floor. “As you can see, I clasp her right hand with my left, while my right hand is on her back. I call this closed position. I give her a slight push to let her know we’re going backwards, and then a slight pull for her to follow me forward.”
Leah noted the steps in her mind.
“So, you have your partners. We’re going to go over this first part with some music.” Juan gave a thumb up to the disc jockey in the back of the dance studio.
Leah turned to face her dance partner, Luis. Embarrassment stirred in her first. Dancing in public was definitely out of her comfort zone. However, she relaxed with the chivalrous middle-aged man and clasped his hand. He had signed up for classes to surprise his wife for their anniversary. He put her at ease as they listened to the instructors, and Luis led her into the basic steps.
Leah grinned. “Nice job, Luis.”
His eyes lit up. “So far so good. My wife says I have two left feet.”
Leah giggled as they moved back and forth. Fresh energy filled her. While it wasn’t the first thing on her list, she didn’t feel ready to ride a horse. Still, she called Lee’s Dude Ranch two miles out of town. She had visited there a few times as a kid, but hadn’t been back since her high school graduation. It was next on her list.
“Alright,” Juan continued. The disc jockey lowered the music. “Next is a simple right turn. We start in the same neutral position, but on the two count, we’re going to point our right foot in the opposite direction. Men, you will lead the lady with your left hand and create a half of circle leading her into the turn.” Juan and Gia showed the turn to the class.
Leah slipped Luis a curious look. “Did you get all that?”
He stared at their instructors. “I hope so.”
The music played again. Leah concentrated. Luis led her into the turn and she followed. To her amazement, he didn’t step on her feet. She was grateful.
Juan waved, and the music died down. “Finally, for today is the cross-body lead. Leads step forward on the first count, on the two-step out to the side, and then on count three open it up and turn to the side. Make sure the lady has space to cross over. Count five steps in place, on count six, point forward, and on seven, return in place to the neutral position.”
Juan led Gia showed the steps for the class. Leah counted the steps in her mind. Luis took her hand as taught, and she turned easily around him. The music played repeatedly as Juan and Gia reviewed the steps. Laughs and cheers filled the room once the first day of lessons was over.
Leah high-fived Luis. Happiness bloomed inside her. Though it was only one thing from her list, she followed through made her glow inside. Leah waved goodbye to her classmates before stepping outside.
Her heels clicked against the pavement as headed to her car. Once she slid into the driver’s seat, she discarded her shoes for her flats. Her feet weren’t accustomed to the action they’d experienced, so Leah looked forward to soaking in her claw-foot tub.