Chapter 11
Leah wiped her manicured fingers clean of buffalo sauce, glancing at Seth across the table from her. She rested her hands on the table, still in disbelief. Sitting across from her was Seth, as he had in high school. Was she crazy? While grateful that he wanted to remain friends, the way his eyes gazed at her made her stomach quiver. She took a sip from her water glass, shifting in her chair. So far, they were having a pleasant conversation. They even reminisced on their teen years at Piedmont High.
“Leah? You okay?” Seth cocked his head toward her.
She tilted her head as she met his gaze. “It's weird being here… together.”
His expression softened. “We’re hanging out, Leah. Don’t overthink it. You did that a lot back in high school. Relax.”
She rubbed her forearms. “I’m trying to. Being here brings back many memories. Painful memories.”
He sighed. “I didn’t give you a good reason why I left did I?”
“You wanted to play football. You said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “That was part of it, Leah. Let’s face it. We were kids. I didn’t understand what love was, much less how to recognize it for myself.”
She raised an eyebrow. “So, you really thought leaving was best?”
“At the time I did.”
She set her palms flat on the table. “You know what? The past is the past. We’re both doing well and we’re still friends. Right? How many exes can still say that?”
“Few, so we’re the exception.”
They high-fived each other.
Leah leaned back in her chair. “I’m glad I came.”
“Me too. We should do this again sometime. As friends?”
Leah snuck a lemon-pepper wing from his plate. “Only if you promise to share your food.”
“I could have ordered you some, but you insist on stealing.”
“I would never do that to you.”
“Yeah right.” His eyes gleamed.
For the rest of their time together, Leah enjoyed herself without thinking too much on their past together. A much-matured man sat across from her compared to the jock she’d dated in high school. Leah laughed harder than she had in a long time.
Cole had been on her mind since their photo shoot. The way he held her when they danced was enchanting. Leah took another sip of water, feeling warmth spread through her. Never in a million years did she think she would like Cole more than a friend would, and now she was here with Seth. He was another story.
“You ready to go?” Seth asked.
Leah noticed he was standing and extending his hand out to her. She had zoned out, and they were finished and ready to leave. She gave half a smile, clasped his hand, and stood to her feet. His thumb grazed over her knuckles.
For a moment, Leah took in the sight of Seth. She raised her chin to meet his stare. His smile used to make her heart flutter. She slipped her hand out of his and adjusted her purse on her shoulder, while Seth opened the door for her. Leah twirled around to face him as they stood on the sidewalk.
“Heading home?” he asked.
“Not yet, I need to stop by my store.” She smiled. “I had fun, Seth.”
“I did too.”
Leah took a step back but stopped when he touched her shoulder.
He held out his arms. “Can I get a hug?”
Leah tilted her head to the side. She drew closer. “Even though you accused me of stealing?”
She embraced him. His height towered over her, but his strong arms held her close. Leah’s breath hitched as more memories dashed through her mind. Seth had always hugged her before kissing her goodbye. Leah broke their embrace and stepped back.
“I’ll see you around.” She waved goodbye.
“See you, Leah.” Seth waved back and pivoted toward his truck.
Leah marched to her car and slid inside the driver’s seat. She gripped the steering wheel. First Cole, then Seth, and not to mention Tyler Gage asked her out. I’m supposed to be taking a break.
****
Cole loaded the images onto his computer and named the film “Leah’s photos.” He gazed at her face as it flashed on the screen. She was a natural in front of the camera. Her confidence radiated from the photos. His favorite was the picture of her on the park bench in her sundress.
With her hands on either side of her, she shined in front of him. Then the wind picked up, rustling through the trees. Leah’s loose curls floated in the breeze and her smooth skin glowed in the natural light. Her expression softened and her poise stunned him.
The corners of Cole’s mouth lifted. He rolled his shoulders back and refocused. He picked the best shots he believed showed Leah’s unique style and saved them to another folder. He then checked his watch, noting the late hour. After locking up his studio, Cole sauntered to his truck.
On the way home, he stopped by the sunflower field. He didn’t count on it becoming one of his favorite spots, but it was the right place to unwind after a long day. Cole put his hands behind his head as he stared out the windshield. The dark sky, lit up by a zillion, sparkled… like Leah’s eyes.
Cole let out a deep breath. He pulled his cell from his pocket. Was it too late to call her? He could send her an update on her photos. It would be an excuse to hear her sweet voice. His forehead furrowed. With her sharing with him about her dating hiatus, Leah wasn’t available. Still, his thumb itched above the call button. She answered on the third ring.
“Hello?” She sounded breathless.
“Are you okay? Need CPR?” Cole joked.
She laughed. “No, I’m moving some things around.”
“Such as?”
“Downsizing. I’m giving more stuff away.”
Cole raised an eyebrow. “More stuff?”
“I had to get rid of some things that reminded me of my ex. Too many memories.” She sighed. “Sorry. I really don’t know why I’m telling you all this.”
“You can tell me anything. Remember that.”
“Good to know.”
“Have a good day today?”
“That may be another reason I’m organizing. I’m trying to get my mind off the photos.”
Cole chuckled. “They’re coming along, Leah. You looked great. When I’m finished, you can pick out the ones you like and send those to your web designer.”
“Okay. I trust you. Ugh! I need a moving crew.”
He laughed. “Don’t hurt yourself. Do I need to stop by?”
“No, I got it, but thank you.”
“Have you ridden a horse yet?”
She giggled. “I did, but I’m glad Will was there. Molly was sweet.”
“The horse?”
“Yeah, and she’s so cute.”
“Sounds like you made a new friend. What’s next on your list?”
“You’re not making fun of me, are you?”
“Never.” He smiled to himself.
“Well, I think Pilates is up next. I have a class tomorrow before I head to the boutique.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”
“Mmm-hmm. I guess you wouldn’t want to come with me?”
“What?” He heard her laughing. “I’ll stick to jogging. Maybe you could meet me one morning.”
“I’ll think about it, Mr. Parsons. Although, I don’t think I’m ready for that.”
Her sweet voice made his hopes kindle. “Seriously, Leah, if you ever want to hang out, I’m here.”
“I’m game. As long as it involves a chocolate muffin.”
“I’ll bring you one. Though, we’ll have to work it off later.”
Leah laughed.
****
The burning sensation in Leah’s abs made her want to plop back on her floral-patterned yoga mat. Holding a plank compared to sharp claws tearing into her skin. Despite her body twitching, she held herself up. This is insane. Her core shook as the instructor did the final countdown and sweat slid down her face. At the instructor’s bidding, Leah rested feeling the sore aftereffects in her abs.
“Wow,” she gasped.
“I know. That was intense,” the girl next to her responded.
Leah gave a faint smile to Kimberly, who was face down on her emerald green yoga mat. When she’d first come to the class, Kimberly shared that she had wanted to lose her baby weight. Leah watched as the new mother raised herself up on shaky arms.
“Are you okay, Kim?” Leah dabbed the sweat from her forehead.
Kim’s hand clutched her midsection. “That was insane.”
“I didn’t know Joanna’s class was this intense. This is for beginners,” Celeste said. She was Albert Tate’s niece, who owned the deli in town.
Leah took a gulp of water from her water bottle. “So, ladies… same time tomorrow?”
Kim nodded. “I’ll be here.”
Joanna clapped her hands as she addressed the class. “Great job, everyone. Remember, each time you work out, you’ll get better and stronger. I’m a firm believer it’s not about being a certain size, but being the best version of you. See you tomorrow.”
Leah and the rest of the ladies rolled up their yoga mats. On the way out, Leah met a few more classmates including Mikayla and Antonia. She waved goodbye to them all as she stepped outside the door. She lifted her chin to the cloud-filled sky, noting how dark it was outside. The town’s streets were wet, but since it was misting, she figured she could dash for her car. Then Leah stopped in her tracks. I forgot my umbrella.
She darted back inside the fitness studio but collided with Craig Parker, the owner of the building. She instinctively grabbed his strong forearms, as she aimed to stay on her feet and not tumble to the floor.
Craig’s storm blue eyes gazed into Leah’s. “Are you okay?”
She straightened up, adjusting the strapped yoga mat on her back. She cleared her throat. “I’m fine, Craig. Sorry I didn’t see you there. I left my—”
Craig held up a purple umbrella. “This it?”
Leah reached for it, her fingers brushing against Craig’s ivory skin. “Thank you.” She looked out the window once more. “I think I better go before I get caught in this rain.”
“Any chance you may be free tonight?”
Leah’s lips parted, utterly shocked. “Craig? Are you…?”
He folded his muscular arms across his chest. “Asking you out? Yes.”
She drew in her bottom lip between her teeth. “I don’t know what to say.” She didn’t. Never in a million years did she think Craig looked at her more than a friend. Leah wasn’t a regular at his gym, but they saw each other around town. Craig was handsome. She took in the sight of him, noting a few days' growth of beard on his face. He ran a hand over his buzzed cut inky black hair.
“Look, Craig, I’m just getting out of a relationship.”
“Brian?”
She wrapped her arms around herself. “Is there anyone in Piedmont Valley that doesn’t know?”
“I don’t think so.”
“One joy of living in a small town,” she joked. Yet, she saw the hopefulness in Craig’s face. “I have to be honest, Craig. I don’t think I’m ready for a date.”
He bobbed his head. “I understand, and for the record, I’m sorry about how things ended with you and Brian.”
She gazed at him with focus. “Thank you.”
He ran his hand down his neck. “Would you be comfortable if we met up sometime?”
Leah tilted her head to the side. “I’ll think about it. Will that work for now?”
He grinned. “I’ll take that. No pressure here. I couldn’t go another day saying nothing to you. I wanted to ask you out for a while.”
She swallowed. “I didn’t know.”
“Let’s say you’ve made an impression on me.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll be at Mack’s BBQ this Friday. It’s one of my places for my ‘cheat diet’ days. Meet me there if you’re available.” He pulled out his phone. “You won’t mind if I call you?”
Leah dictated her number to Craig. She didn’t mind getting to know him better. She could have guy friends without it turning into something more. She still couldn’t believe she’d hung out with Seth as if they were old friends. Her phone buzzed, and she saw Craig had texted her his contact info.
“I’ll see you then?” he asked, sounding optimistic.
“I’ll see you then.” She patted her midsection. “Hopefully, I won’t be too sore to eat. Joanna’s class is tough.”
“It’ll get easier. You’re here, so I know you’re strong.”
Leah clutched her umbrella and took a step backwards. “I’ll see you, Craig.”
“Bye, Leah,” he replied.
Seeing the steady rainfall, Leah raised her umbrella as she jogged to her car. Once inside, she rubbed her forehead. Craig asked her for a date. Tyler asked her out, and Seth asked to see her more often as friends. Cole… don’t get started on him.
Leah gripped her steering wheel. She pulled out of her parking spot and headed home. The windshield wipers moved robotically over the glass and when she pulled into her driveway, she darted for her front door. She hurried to shower and change.
As she styled her hair, her eyebrows squished together. It made little sense. Where was this attention coming from? Leah blew out her cheeks. Was it really a terrible thing? Nothing was wrong with the men in Piedmont Valley, and she found it flattering.
Yet, it confused her like credit card interest rates. Had something changed since Brian left? Her list had her taking risks. Leah never thought she could ride a horse, salsa dance, or even model for a photo shoot. It seemed daunting at first, but once she faced it, it was effortless.
Slipping her feet into her heels, Leah grabbed her umbrella, phone, and purse. She took her time as she marched to her car, being careful not to slip on the slick pavement. On her way to her boutique, Leah couldn’t keep her brainwaves from roaming.