Chapter 2
Now I knew why this handsome man was lingering. He was trying to sell me his private lessons.
“Oh. Well, I hadn’t really thought about private lessons.” My thoughts were flipping rapidly through my mind as the mental image of his swirling hips stuck with me.
“Raul.” He stuck out his hand towards mine.
“Samantha. Nice to meet you.”
“I think that you need some one-on-one attention.” His wide dark eyes met mine in a way that made me believe that hypnosis was real. “The group class is fine, but with those hips, you could really have talent.”
His warm palms pressed lightly against the curves of my hips. He pulled away quickly as if he realized that what he had done might be deemed inappropriate.
“I don’t know about talent, but I might learn best with a private teacher. There will be less people to trip over.”
“You can trip over me. I won’t mind.” He offered a charming smile.
I raised an eyebrow. I didn’t think that I would mind tripping over him either.
“What do you say? Do you want to be the sexiest woman on the dance floor?”
I stared at him. Was he reading my mind? How did he know that I wanted to exude sensuality? I didn’t think I could openly admit to it, especially with the way he was staring at me.
“Samantha?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?” He smiled. “I can make you that woman. You think about it. I’m available any time you want me.” He winked at me. Then he spun on his heel and walked away.
His retreat was just as beautiful as his approach.
Don’t do it, Sammy. He’s just trying to make money from you!
I tried to convince myself not to move the pen from the sign-up sheet for the group class to the sign-up sheet for the private lessons. But no matter how I tried to steer my pen in the right direction, it kept shifting back toward the private lessons list.
Finally, I scribbled my name and my phone number on the list. I knew that it might not be exactly what I had set out to do, but I thought it was worth a shot. Raul, as beautiful and sultry as he was, was exactly the kind of man that I needed to learn to dance with. I was sure he was right—that he could teach me things that no one else could. I would learn to feel comfortable, despite the fact that he was a stranger. I needed to be able to dance with a man without dissolving in giggles or tripping over my own feet.
After signing up, I walked out into the parking lot. I was almost to my car when I noticed a flashing sign in the window of one of the other shops in the plaza. It was a neon hand with lines across the palm, with the word “psychic” written beneath it. In my experience psychics hadn’t been very accurate.
In the past, I’d been told that I would be married at twenty, that I had a blonde Norwegian man waiting for me in my future, and that I would have six babies before I was thirty. Obviously none of that had ended up being true. Still, the allure of someone else perhaps making sense out of my chaotic life created an incredible temptation.
I stood beside my car trying to decide. I could give my money away to someone or I could go on about my day without being fleeced. Everything in my logical mind screamed that I was nuts for even considering it. Yet I turned and began walking over to the shop. I told myself that it was probably closed. What kind of psychic worked in the morning? I told myself I was just curious. I was just going to peek inside.
When I peered in the window, I notice an “open” sign. I lifted my eyes to check the hours and found myself staring into the smiling face of a young woman. She looked like she could have still been in high school.
“Hi!” She spoke brightly through the window.
I took a step back and managed a smile. “Sorry. I’m just looking.”
The door swung open. She stepped out and smiled again. “Don’t be shy. Come in and have a reading.”
“No thanks.” I laughed.
“It’s just for fun.” She winked at me. “What could it hurt?”
I thought of telling her about the time I’d spent an entire summer sitting by my phone waiting for Billy Mankin to call me.
“You do the readings?”
“Don’t let my age fool you. I come from a long line of readers.” She shrugged. “Like I said, it’s nothing to take too seriously. I’ll even give it to you for half price.”
I eyed her with skepticism. I figured she must not have many clients if she was so desperate for a reading. I decided I’d walk back to my car, but as I was turning I caught sight of my reflection in the window.
I had transformed so much of myself over the past months, but that disbelieving frown was still on my lips. I didn’t think that I wanted to be that person any more. As the woman said, it was just for fun, so why not? I didn’t have to take things so seriously.
“Half price you said?” I looked into her eyes.
“Yes, just for you.” She held the door open for me.
I nodded and stepped inside. As long as I kept in mind that this was just for fun and that this young woman could not possibly know anything about me or my future, I thought it would be okay.
It might even give me some ideas for my book.
Chapter 3
There were shelves and displays in the front of the shop. Crystals hung from chains. Rainbow-colored feathers dangled from the ceiling. The shelves were packed with books that had strange titles—Know Your Spirit, Journey with My Ghost, If You Think Your House Is Haunted.
I shivered a little at the disconcerting thoughts filling my mind—unless of course my particular ghost had a knack for cleaning quietly while I was sleeping.
“Please—back here.” She brushed past beads that draped from the entrance of another room.
I brushed through the beads and found the doorway rather narrow. The room beyond the beads was even smaller. It looked a bit like a converted broom closet. The small woman slid easily behind a card table. I managed to wedge myself into a chair across from her. I was quite aware that my hip was pushing against the beaded curtain.
“Would you like me to read your palm or your cards?”
“What’s the difference?”
“Well, if I read your palm, it will tell me more about your past, your present, and your future. If I read your cards I can ask a specific question or tap into the most concern-worthy area of your life right now.”
I was fairly certain that she would not actually be doing either. Still, the tarot cards that sat in front of her on the table looked interesting.
“The cards.”
“Okay, great.” She picked up the cards and began shuffling. “Can you tell me your name?”
“Samantha.”
“Hm.” She shuffled the cards again.
“What?” I leaned forward some.
“Is that really your name? Is there another name that you use? Maybe a nickname?” She looked across the table at me.
I was a little stunned at first, but I reminded myself that just about everyone in the world had a nickname. This was probably just a ploy that the woman used to dazzle her clients.
“Sammy.”
“Ah yes.” She smiled as she spread the cards in her hand. “Now I can feel you.”
I arched an eyebrow. She was not touching me.
“Let’s see.” She began to flip the cards over one by one into a pattern on the table between us. As she did, she smiled.
I suppose I was waiting for an evil cackle of some kind. When she placed the last card down, she did laugh, but it was with delight.
“How wonderful!”
Now I was very skeptical. I doubted that anything in my cards could be described as wonderful.
“What is so wonderful?”
“You’re about to find true love.” She looked up at me with such joy in her eyes that I really wanted to believe her.
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Everyone does. But it’s true. I see it right here.” She tapped one of the cards.
&nbs
p; All I saw was a swirl of color and some strange imagery.
“Well, then your cards must be wrong, because there’s no one special in my life.”
“I said you were about to find it.”
“I doubt it.”
“Okay, well, let me tell you more.” She moved her hand to another card. “He’s going to come right out of the blue. He’s not the person you expect and yet he’s the person that you want.”
“Interesting.”
“A very handsome man—and tall. He’ll take your breath away.”
I rolled my eyes. That seemed very cliché to me.
“Is there a name in there? If so, I could look him up.”
My sarcasm was completely lost on her.
“I’m afraid that’s not how this works. He will come into your life, but only when you’re ready.” She sighed. “It’s so sweet, because as much as you’ve been longing for him, he’s been longing for you.”
“That’s all you can tell me?”
“Remember, it’s just for fun. But this feels so strong to me. Usually that means it will happen soon. You may already know him or have just met him.”
I knew that the only person I had just met was Raul. There was no way that he was going to lead me to anything more than the dance floor.
“Thanks.” I set down a ten-dollar bill on the table. “I guess it was fun.”
“Just keep your eyes open.” Still quite cheerful, she walked me to the front door.
As if she’d predicted what would happen next, I walked right into the door. I don’t know what made me think it was open, but for some reason I didn’t notice that it was there until I hit my face on it.
“Ouch.”
“Oops.” She pushed open the door and held it open for me. “Congrats on the new love.”
“Sure.” I rubbed my nose.
My feet struck the pavement hard as I headed for my car. I was annoyed that I’d wasted ten dollars on the reading. I was more annoyed that I had almost believed it. If I didn’t have the salsa class to look forward to, I probably would have considered the morning wasted. However, as I drove back to my apartment I began to formulate ideas of how I could integrate my experience with the psychic into one of my books. Perhaps, I could highlight the fact that life was about much more than just love, and that not every woman was on the perpetual hunt for a lover—even if that thought seemed to be consuming my own mind these days.
Chapter 4
When I got back to my apartment, I was feeling a little tired. Between signing up for the salsa lessons and having my future predicted, my morning had been quite strange.
I immediately recalled the e-mail that I’d sent Blue. Normally I would be dying to find out if he had written me back—my first stop whenever I walked in the door would be the computer to check for an e-mail from him. But I almost felt resentful as I looked toward it.
I couldn’t imagine what he might say that would allow me to forgive him. I just wanted him to be a part of my life, and if he didn’t want that, I didn’t understand why he wasn’t just been straight with me.
I fixed an early lunch to appease my anxiety, which was starting to ramp up. While I was sprinkling a bit of cheese on top of my salad, my phone began to ring. I picked it up to see that it was Max calling. I smiled a little as I thought of being able to dance with him.
“Hi, Max.”
“Hi. beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
“I only speak the truth.”
“I guess.”
“What’s going on? You’re not feeling great today?”
“I’m okay. I signed up for a new class.”
“What kind of class?”
“Oh, you know, just something to keep me active.” I didn’t want to ruin the surprise, or reveal that I was only learning to salsa in the hopes that I would be able to dance with him.
“That’s good. How’s the writing coming along?”
I cringed. Although it had only been a few days since I’d made my career as a writer official, a crazy amount of people seemed to think it was okay to ask for updates on my progress. I was surprised that people didn’t realize how much pressure that put on me.
“It’s okay. I just needed a break this morning.”
“Well, do you want to get lunch?”
“I just made mine. I could make you something if you like.”
“Is it rabbit food?”
I laughed. “It’s a salad.”
“Thanks, I’ll pass. I’m getting a burger, no matter who I have to run over to get it.”
“That’s quite an appetite for this early in the morning. What has you so hungry?”
I braced myself for the answer. In my experience, Max was only ravenous after he had a night out with a female friend. It was scary how well I knew him.
“Oh, just didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.”
“What’s her name?”
“Never mind that. How about dinner?”
“Maybe. Let me see where I’m at with my writing later.”
“Alright then. I’m glad you’re having a good morning.”
I wasn’t sure if I would describe it as a good morning, but I appreciated the sentiment.
“Thanks, Max.”
After I hung up the phone, I walked over to the couch to eat my salad. I flipped on my television and searched through the channels for something to take my mind off the psychic’s reading. But every show or movie I stopped on was either about romance or heartbreak. It was actually quite annoying. It made me wonder how any woman could get through life without feeling lonely. Didn’t the creators of these movies and television shows know that not everyone met her match?
I frowned and turned the television off. Once I’d finished my salad I walked over to the computer. It was time to get to work. My first private lesson with Raul was the next day, and I didn’t want to have to feel stressed about not getting enough writing done.
When I sat down in front of the computer, I saw right away that I had an e-mail. I knew it would be from Blue.
SWF,
I look forward to the time we get to salsa together. I would love to experience some of that passion with you.
Blue
Fury boiled through me as I reread the words. He would love to experience some of that passion with me? Then why had he stood me up yet again?
I was too angry to even think about replying. I closed my e-mail and decided to direct some of that anger into my writing. I didn’t need him to toy with me any more. I’d believed him when he acted as if he was interested in me, but I’d like to think that I was becoming wiser.
Perhaps he did have an interest in me. Perhaps there was some deep reason why he wouldn’t meet up with me, but unless he told me the truth, I would never know. One thing I did know—I had no interest in being with a liar.
I began working on my book without a second thought for Blue.
By the time I headed to bed that night, I’d made a lot more progress than I first expected. I glowed with pride as I lay my head down on my pillow. I really was changing my life. Even if every aspect wasn’t falling perfectly into place, I was getting closer.
As my eyes drifted shut, my mind swirled with thoughts about the next day and salsa dancing. Just before I fell asleep, I thought of Blue and what the psychic had told me that morning. Was it possible that there was still a chance for us? I knew that I wanted there to be. I would just have to let it go and see how it all panned out.
Chapter 5
I woke up the next morning with a sense of excitement. I was ready to confront the day with a new attitude. Sure, things with Blue weren’t exactly smooth, but that didn’t matter. I was going to get to dance with Raul, who was quite possibly the most handsome man I’d ever laid eyes on. I was going to focus on the good parts of my day. Life was too short to get stuck.
I didn’t even turn on my computer. Instead, I decided to buy myself some new workout gear to wear for the dance class. I had some things that I’d use
d for yoga and other classes but they were a little loose on me. Besides, I wanted something that was a bit more spicy. I wanted to feel like I was a gorgeous creature whirling across the dance floor.
I grabbed my keys and headed out.
Along the way I stopped into my favorite shop for coffee and a bagel. Since I knew that I would be getting a workout later in the day, I felt I could spare a few extra calories.
“Morning.” I smiled brightly at the man behind the counter. He wore a nametag that said Chuck. I hadn’t met Chuck before, but he seemed like a sullen fellow. He barely returned my smile.
“What’ll it be?”
“An Everything bagel, please—with light cream cheese.”
“Light cream cheese.” He scrunched up his nose. “Have you tasted that stuff?”
“Yes.” I laughed. “It’s not so bad once you get used to it. I’ll take a small coffee as well, please.”
“Alright.” He turned away to prepare my order.
As I waited, I felt the excitement build in me for my class later that day. In the past I would have avoided working one-on-one with a man, especially a good-looking, fit man. I was proud of myself for evolving to the point that I could sign up for a class that was taught by someone like Raul. A small part of me wondered if I was making a mistake, but that part of me was easily silenced with my focus on positive thoughts.
“Here you go.” He slid my bagel and coffee toward me. “Eight-fifty.”
I winced at the price but handed over the cash. As he was getting me my change, I noticed the way his hands shook. It was almost as if he was nervous.
“Are you okay?”
“Huh? Oh, sorry.” He handed me my change.
I noticed that he started to sweat.
“Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Sure, I’m fine. Sorry. I just get nervous.” He avoided looking at me.
“Okay, thanks.” I took my coffee and my bagel and left the shop.
As I walked toward the small boutique at the end of the block I thought Chuck’s behavior was pretty strange.
I was just about to step into the boutique when Max texted me.
What happened to dinner?
Sorry, I got caught up in writing.
What are you doing now?
Buying new workout clothes and trying to figure out why the cashier at the bagel shop was so nervous.
Single Wide Female: The Bucket List Mega Bundle - 24 Books (Books #1-24) Page 66