I want to think it’s because I’m tall, or because I have a lot of muscle tone, but the young man instructing the class looks about my height. There are also a couple of really toned men in the class who very much look like they lift weights in addition to this. They all seem to be doing it with ease. I’d expected the class to be filled with people who could barely move without breaking into a sweat or losing their breath. Instead, I’m the one who feels out of shape and out of place.
Near the end, I catch Samantha out of the corner of my eye. She’s standing in the doorway, watching me. I don’t know how long she’s been there, but I’m glad my idea seems to be working, even if it’s a lot more difficult than I thought it would be.
Chapter Fourteen - Samantha
When Cheryl mentioned Lucas was at the center and that he’d gone to the all-ages yoga session, I wasn’t sure what I’d be walking into. I couldn’t imagine what he was here for.
I didn’t think I’d find him on a mat, clumsily trying to follow Marc’s lead through all of the different positions. He’s wobbling through all of his holds, and he doesn’t look at all comfortable in any of the more complicated positions. He’s clearly actually trying, though. I can tell by his face that he’s concentrating hard on following everything all the way through.
It’s unexpected – no, it’s almost charming. I can’t help the smile that’s creeping across my face watching him. I’m feeling myself soften towards him with every position he doesn’t hit quite right. I imagine that had been the idea. Not the being bad at it, probably, but the being here and taking the class. It’s a surprisingly sweet gesture, and I wouldn’t have thought Lucas was a sweet-gesture sort of guy.
I guess I was wrong.
After class ends, I give Lucas a wave and walk into the room to talk to him. Marc gives me a puzzled look as Lucas and I step off to the side to talk. I’m sure this will be a source of gossip around the center for the rest of the day, but if he’s going to reach out like this, then I should at least thank him for the gesture.
“Was that your first yoga class?” I ask Lucas, raising an eyebrow. He smiles at me – maybe the most genuine smile I’ve ever seen from him. It makes him look even more attractive than normal.
“Could you tell?” Lucas says with a sheepish look.
“A little,” I say, grinning back. “How’d you like it?”
“It’s a lot different than how I normally work out, that’s for sure,” Lucas says, laughing.
“I’m sure it is,” I say. “What’s your normal routine?”
“I’m a big runner: I like to use the treadmill in the morning and jog in the evenings. I lift weights at least three times week, and I like to challenge myself with other cardio throughout the week. What about you?” Lucas says. I’m a little surprised he’s answered me so directly and matter-of-factly. There is something about it that I like, that makes me smile again.
“I love running, too,” I say. “I jog when I can. Mostly, though, I work out here. I teach classes or sometimes step into them, or I use the studio space for private workouts early in the morning or after we’re done for the day.”
“Running is great,” Lucas says, nodding. “It really clears my head.”
“It’s great stress relief,” I agree. “So, what made you change your routine up today?”
“I wanted to apologize,” Lucas says. “I said some things that were really out of line the other day. I thought taking a class from you would be a good start to us not yelling at each other.”
“I really appreciate that,” I say, “and I was out of line, too. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not irrational of you to be angry about the development and my part in it,” Lucas says, surprising me again. I shake my head. It’s a lot harder to be mad at him now. It’s hard to feel mad when he’s standing in one of my studios, being so honest and genuine with me.
“I agree, but I didn’t need to cross a street to take it out on you because I was having a bad morning,” I say truthfully.
“And I didn’t need to snap at you or put down your center,” Lucas says. “I just get really defensive about my business.”
“I can definitely understand that,” I say.
“I guess that’s something else we have in common,” Lucas says, smiling.
“That and running?” I ask. I think it’s maybe more than that. Lucas and I are both business owners, even if on vastly different scales, and we’re both passionate about fitness. Clearly, we’re also both really stubborn. I’ve been spending so much time thinking about all the ways Lucas and I are nothing alike that I’ve never stopped to consider all the ways we are.
“And wanting to help other people love exercise as much as we do,” Lucas says. “I mean, I assume that’s why you do all this?”
“It is,” I say. “I love feeling like I’m improving people’s lives, making them healthier.”
“I feel the same way,” Lucas says. He takes a long gulp of the water he has with him.
“People are so scared to start working out, and when they realize they love it, that it makes them happier,” I say as Lucas nods rapidly, “that’s the best feeling, knowing that I gave that to someone.”
“Yeah, exactly. That’s it exactly,” Lucas says, then he gives me a long look. “Look, I know you think I’m trying to take over the world with my big business gym, but I really do believe that my gyms provide a real service to people. That my gym model being used by more people is a good thing. Not just for my wallet, but for them. I’m sure that doesn’t mean much since I’m the competition, but I thought you should know.”
“It actually means a lot,” I say truthfully. I’m struck again by how sincere he’s being, how honest. I don’t know what inspired him to be so open with me. I would have guessed he was the kind of man who had a hard time opening up to people. I like that I was apparently mistaken about that. “And maybe you’ve found out for yourself that I’m doing a lot more than having people wave their arms around to New Age music over here.”
“Now that I’ve experienced it firsthand, I’m definitely rethinking that,” Lucas says, laughing and wiping his brow. “Man, are all your classes that intense?”
“No,” I say, smiling. “That was actually a pretty basic-level class. Most of them are more intense.”
Lucas shakes his head again. It looks like he might be shaking it at himself. “I guess I’ve got a lot to learn then,” he says.
I grin again. Lucas being able to laugh at himself like this, to not have to be the very best at everything else, is something else that is catching me off guard. I’d have guessed he was one of those guys who can’t stand to ever look foolish.
It makes me wonder what else about him I’ve been wrong about.
Chapter Fifteen - Lucas
I can’t stop replaying my last conversation with Samantha in my head. I can’t stop thinking about her at all. I had hoped that me taking a class of hers would make things better between us, but I’d gotten even more than I was expecting. Our conversation after class had actually been really great. I feel like I actually know her now, or that I’m starting to, anyway. She had seemed touched by my gesture and by my honesty. I hadn’t meant to tell her so much about me, but talking to her had felt strangely natural and easy.
The conversation had really surprised me, and I don’t find myself surprised often. I pick up the number for George, her landlord, frowning. I’m glad I didn’t go through with the call. I might want to do it at a later time, but for now, I think I should shelve the idea. I want to know more about Samantha before I make a choice like that.
Our talk made me realize how similar we are. I’d been thinking of her as someone not like me at all who does things in a way so far removed from how I do them – that I couldn’t understand her. Now, though, I think I’ve realized we actually care about a lot of the same things in life. She’s smart and she’s motivated, passionate, and stubborn. She challenges herself and her clients. She challenges me.
Part
of the reason I’ve been so bored with the dating scene lately is that I’ve been finding it harder and harder to talk to women who I don’t have a lot in common with. I’ve found myself forcing enthusiasm for stories I don’t care about. I’ve felt them getting bored when I talk about my life and work.
I really enjoyed talking to Samantha, and I think I’d like to do it more often. Even if it’s just to make a friend, I think Samantha is someone I want in my life.
I look at her landlord’s number again and push it aside. For now, I’d like to see where this goes on its own. I know I’m probably just putting off the inevitable, but I decide I want to wait it out.
I pull her website back up, and I dial her office extension, hoping she’s in.
“Hello?” she says, picking up the phone. I smile to myself, glad to have caught her.
“Samantha. Hey, it’s Lucas,” I say. Samantha makes a surprised sound on the other end of the phone that I wish I could see.
“Oh! Hi there,” she says brightly, and I can’t help but feel pleased that she sounds happy to talk to me. “What can I do for you?”
“I was thinking about our conversation the other day and was wondering if you’d like to go jogging together sometime – maybe along the water?” I say. There’s a pause on the other end, like she hadn’t been expecting that. I wasn’t really expecting it from myself either, to tell the truth, but it feels like the right thing to do. The right next step in reaching out to her from here.
“That sounds great,” she says, surprising me a little.
“Great,” I echo. “I thought it might be fun to have a jogging partner for a change.”
“I haven’t jogged with anyone in years,” Samantha says, laughing softly. She seems glad to hear from me, like she’s looking forward to seeing me again. This is a huge change from how I’m sure she felt about me a few days ago. Then again, I’m also surprised by how much I’m looking forward to seeing her. I wouldn’t have thought that was possible either.
“Me either,” I admit. “When I ran in college, I did a lot of running in groups or with teammates, but that’s a lot harder to do now.”
“You ran in college?” Samantha asks. I wonder what she’s doing in her office, what her office looks like. I’ve seen a lot of the rest of the center, but never her office. A few days ago, I would have bet it was a mess of disorganization and maybe incense burning. Now, I’m thinking it’s probably so organized and clean that it puts my professionally cleaned office to shame.
“I did,” I say. “I paid for college on my track scholarship, actually.”
“A scholarship, huh? So, you’re a rags-to-riches success story?” Samantha asks. I can tell she’s teasing a little. I grin.
“More of a middle-class-to-riches success story,” I admit, laughing, “but the scholarship helped.”
“You must have been fast to get an offer like that,” Samantha says. I grin. In high school, I’d broken several statewide records for speed. I’d been scouted by schools all over the country. I’d gone on to a highly successful – and record-breaking – college career.
“I still am,” I say.
Samantha laughs. “I guess I’ll find out,” she says, making me smile again.
“You will,” I agree. “If you can keep up with me, that is.”
Samantha and I stay on the phone for almost an hour, talking about running and our favorite paths through the city, and then a little about college. She’s easy to talk to, and the conversation is fun and makes the time seem to pass quickly. I only realize how much time has passed when a desktop calendar alert pops on my screen, reminding me of a meeting I need to get to.
We make plans to go for our run soon, and I’m feeling really glad that I called her as I hang up. I’d much rather have this pleasant relationship with Samantha than I would fight with her. But I don’t know how long our ceasefire can last. I still am building a corporate gym across from her fitness center, after all. She may hate me again tomorrow. For now, though, it’s nice to feel like I’m building a connection with someone, even if I’m sure it’s going to fall apart again soon enough.
Chapter Sixteen - Samantha
Lucas really is fast. He’s even quicker than I would have thought. He runs like his body was made for it, with strength and poise, his defined muscles moving effortlessly with his strides. It’s impressive, and I can’t help but think how good he looks like this.
The jog is really nice, too. I don’t usually run around the lake, but the path is smooth and scenic. It’s a good run, enough natural hills and turns to be challenging, well-maintained enough to feel good under my feet. The night air is clean and crisp, a little chilly, making me want to move even faster.
The pace Lucas is setting also makes me want to go faster, to push myself even harder than I normally would. I may not have gone to college on a track scholarship like Lucas apparently had, but I’ve always enjoyed running. I’ve always known I was pretty fast, and I’ve worked hard to get even faster and have greater endurance. I’m really enjoying running with someone who takes it as seriously as I do.
We only talk a little as we jog, keeping the pace fast and strong enough that we can’t have a full conversation. Even the little exchanges we have are motivating, though, keeping me on my toes.
“Tired yet?” Lucas asks, grinning at me. I smile back, even though I’m getting sweaty and out of breath.
“I could run all night,” I say. It might not be entirely true, but sometimes, on nights like tonight, I feel like I could. I feel like my legs want to just keep going, to keep pushing me farther.
“How about for another half-mile? That’s where the trail ends,” Lucas says, huffing a laugh.
I nod. “That works too,” I say. Lucas grins at me again, then looks ahead like he’s breathing and steeling himself for the last bit of the run. I do the same, pushing myself through the last half-mile, feeling every stride of my legs and every breath I take.
We slow our pace when the end of the trail and the small park nearby are in sight. We head to a bench in the park and sit down to catch our breaths and drink water.
“I like this trail,” I say, smiling and looking out over the water.
“I actually just discovered it a few weeks ago, but it’s already one of my favorites,” Lucas says.
“Didn’t spend much time over here before, I guess?” I ask. Lucas shakes his head.
“Never really had any reason to,” Lucas says. “Although I did come to an absolutely terrible concert in a warehouse once a few years ago.”
“I’ve been to a few of those,” I say with a slight wince, thinking of sticky floors, too many bodies in small spaces, and bands that would go on to break up a week later. I’d always been too busy with the center to really be part of that scene, but I had friends who were. It had always seemed like more effort than it was worth. The times I’d been dragged along had made me absolutely miserable.
“I didn’t really know much else about the neighborhood until recently,” Lucas says, shaking his head.
“That’s not the best first impression, I guess,” I say, laughing.
“It wasn’t,” Lucas agrees, “but I’m glad the business brought me back. Even if you might not be.”
“I won’t pretend the development makes me happy,” I say, “but it really is a great neighborhood. It would have been a shame if you’d never come back.”
“It would have been,” Lucas says, gesturing out over the water, lights from downtown buildings sparking on the surface. “It’s stunning here.”
“It really is,” I say. “When I was looking to open my center, I knew I wanted it to be in the neighborhood, but I didn’t know exactly where. When I found a vacancy right across from the water, though, I fell in love with the location. I’m still in love with it.”
“What made you decide to open a fitness center?” Lucas asks, turning his eyes away from the water and on to me.
“When I was in elementary school, I was really shy,” I say, remem
bering how terrified I’d been to even raise my hand in class at the time. “It was hard for me to make friends or ever participate in class. But I started taking dance lessons, and it changed my whole life. I gained so much confidence. I really started believing in myself and seeing myself differently. I wanted to give that to other people.”
“I have trouble imagining you as shy,” Lucas says, smiling at me again like he means that as a compliment.
“The dancing worked,” I say. It’s true – it had. I had gone from being afraid to raise my voice to running for student body president in two years’ time. My parents and neighbors all marveled at the change in me. To this day, when I’m not in control of my body, I feel myself start to think a little less clearly.
“It must have,” Lucas says, taking another long gulp of water.
“What about you?” I ask. “What made you start your gyms?”
“I was actually sick as a kid,” Lucas says. “I had a heart condition that required several surgeries before I was nine. I missed a lot of school as a result, and it took me a few years to get caught up with my peers. Ever since, I guess I’ve been obsessed with doing whatever I can to be as healthy as possible. I started running as soon as the doctors cleared me for it, and I loved it. Every health exam I’ve had since I was a teenager has said I’m in great health, and I want to keep it that way. I thought that if exercise could do so much for me when I’d started life in such bad health, then it would help other people, too.”
“Oh, wow,” I say. I can’t imagine being so young and having medical problems so severe. It sounds terrifying, and all of a sudden, everything about Lucas makes so much sense to me. The elite gym chain, the hardcore attitude toward exercise – so much of what I’d initially thought made him an arrogant jerk. “It’s amazing that you’re so healthy now, and it makes sense that you made it such a huge part of your life.”
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