It was amazing how her mother’s judgment could make her want to defend something. “Cold and wet weather is almost worse for that, Mother. Florida is humid, but it’s not the biggest culprit when it comes to frizz.”
“Be that as it may, it’s not doing your hair any favors.”
“I suppose not,” Isabella muttered grudgingly.
“If you move back to Philadelphia, you will be making your father ecstatically happy. He has been so bored lately. I have my work, the country club, and my charities. But your father does nothing but sit and read in that dusty, old office. Oh, and gossip with his friends over fatty treats. It’ll do him good to see you and Alberto a few times a week.”
Isabella took a deep breath. She had been considering where to move when she left Florida. Philadelphia was a good choice. She knew it like the back of her hand and really liked the city in general. Not too big, not too small. It also came with the added bonus of seeing her beloved father more. And she had to admit that Philadelphia would be convenient if she needed work. She could always try to get back into her old company.
There’s another point in the pro column, isn’t there? It’s not too far away from New York, right?
She shook the last thought away. Erin wasn’t supposed to be in the picture. At least not yet. And, anyway, Philadelphia had one serious downside. The person she was speaking to right now.
“Well? Are you coming back home?”
“I don’t know, Mother. This has just happened. Nothing has been decided yet.”
“There’s no time like the present, you know,” Judith said in a voice laced with impatience.
Isabella ran her hand over her face, making sure not to touch her eyes and ruin her makeup. She collected herself as best she could before answering.
“My whole life is changing at breakneck speed. I’ll need a few days to get my bearings. Do you think you can you wait a few days?”
“No need to be facetious. Of course I can wait. Just don’t let too much time pass. The house market moves fast.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Isabella noticed that she was in the way of another customer and began to walk slowly down the aisle. She had to find a way to end this call with minimum drama.
Her mother’s speaking pace upped, showing that she was irate about something. “Did I tell you that our neighbors put their house up for sale last week? They think they already have a buyer. And they put that house up for much more than market value, I’ll have you know.”
Isabella merely hummed as a reply, too exhausted with this conversation to add words. Her eyes wandered back to the book covers, as her mother carried on talking about the neighbors and what they had sold their house for.
A book caught her eye. She had reached the shop’s nonfiction area, and the book in front of her bore the title Women in Comics—A History. Isabella parked the stroller to the side and picked up the book. The blurb informed her that it was a close look at both female characters in comics and the women who drew and wrote the stories. It was so interesting that Isabella missed far too much of her mother’s diatribe and was caught out when her mother suddenly said, “Wouldn’t you agree?”
She panicked for a moment, then decided that agreeing was usually the safest bet with her mother anyway. She just hoped that she wasn’t about to condone her mother killing some poor family who did nothing more than get a good deal on their house.
“Yes, I absolutely agree.”
“I thought you might, dear. People are intolerable.”
“Yes, they are,” Isabella agreed distractedly.
She was looking at the book. Hearing Erin talk about her reading habits had made her curious about the world of comics. That and how much she had enjoyed the latest Captain America movie. Although, if she were honest, that might have had more to do with Chris Evans…and, she realized, Scarlett Johansson. How had she not picked up on her interest in women until now?
Isabella froze for a second. It was uncomfortable talking to her mother while thinking about sexy women and her interest in them.
“Mother, I need to go. I’m almost by the cash register, and I have to pay. Can I call you later?”
“Well, yes, I suppose so. I should probably go make sure your father has remembered to take his vitamins today, anyway.”
“Great. I’ll call you later, then. Goodbye.”
She hung up and put the phone back in her bag.
The book was still in her hand. She knew she was buying it, but what she was pondering now was whether she should buy a copy for Erin. It was just released, so she was fairly confident Erin wouldn’t have it already.
She tapped her fingers against the book. Should she really buy Erin more gifts? What if Erin thought she was trying to buy her affection? Or if she started to feel like a charity case? Or, worse, what if she started seeing her as some sort of—what was the expression, sugar mama?
Isabella rolled her eyes at herself. Another book browser came barreling past her, and Isabella hurried out of his way. She felt her back twinge a little at the quick movement and found the perfect solution.
If she asked Erin for another personal trainer demonstration on back stretches, she could then send her the book as a thank-you. Perfectly natural and platonic. And with the added bonus of having an excuse to watch Erin stretch again.
Isabella temporarily put the book down and got her phone out again. She sent off a text to Erin.
Good morning. I know I’m talking to you on Skype tonight, but I wanted to ask if we could change the chat to another back-stretch session? I just felt a worrying twinge and want to repair the damage before my back gets worse.
She tucked away the phone again and picked up two copies of the book before heading to the register. As she was paying, she heard her phone beep. She finished the transaction and left the shop, grabbing her phone as soon as she was outside.
Hey you! Abso-frickin-lutely. Get your exercise gear out tonight, and be prepared to stretch until you’re as supple as a cat in the sun. Or something else that’s really supple. I dunno. Xoxo
Isabella smiled at the text. Staying single would be so much easier if Erin didn’t make her this happy and lovesick just with a simple text.
Isabella was probably as ready as she was ever going to be, but she still ran over the checklist in her head. She was set up downstairs, in front of her desktop computer. Skype was up and running. The lighting was good in the room, so Erin should see her clearly. She was in her exercise clothes, and she had checked her hair and makeup in a mirror four times already. Alberto wouldn’t be disturbing them, because he wasn’t at home. He was with Richard, spending some time with Joshua and Shay at their house.
It was only for an hour or so, and Shay only lived a few minutes away. But Isabella was still freaking out about her little baby being without her. She tried to calm her maternal anxiety.
Even if something happens and Richard doesn’t know what to do, Shay is there. You know she’s a calm, capable person, and she’s been a great mother to Joshua. Relax. Focus on seeing Erin. No, wait. Focus on fixing your back problem.
She rolled her eyes at herself and took a deep breath. The announcement that Erin was online came up, and Isabella reached down to the computer and clicked to video call her.
Soon, the screen filled with the image of Erin standing tall, with her hands on her hips. Isabella noted that she was in workout gear, as well, today: black, tight spandex bottoms with faded Nike logos on the thighs, and a fitted, gray tank top. Her blonde hair was pulled up in a messy bun.
“Good evenin’, Ms. Writer,” Erin said with a big grin.
“Hello there. It’s great to see you. How’s your day been?”
Erin shrugged. “Meh, same old, same old. Yours?”
“Well,” she puffed out a breath. “I told my mother about the separation.”
Erin grimaced. “Ouch. That sounds about as much fun as getting salt in a paper cut.”
“Mm, I’d say that simile is spot on. Y
ou’re starting to get to know my mother quite well.”
“It’s hard not to. She kinda comes up a lot.”
Isabella swallowed. “I’m sorry if I bring her up too much. It must be getting tedious.”
Erin held up her hands. “No, no. Shit, that’s not what I meant. I just meant that she’s clearly shaped you, and that she’s…I don’t know…the dark cloud that hangs over your life. It’d be weird if you didn’t talk about her a lot. Please, don’t stop sharing stuff about her. I want to know everything that happens in your life.”
“All right. As long as it doesn’t become repetitive.”
“Nope. Not at all.”
And there was that beaming Erin Black smile again. It seemed to light up the whole space between New York and Florida.
Isabella felt warm and flustered, and hurried to compose herself. “So, shall we start with the back exercises?”
“Yep. Got something to lie on this time?”
“Yes, I bought a yoga mat as you suggested. Hang on, I forgot to lay it out.”
Her mental checklist had failed her. How could she forget the mat?
Because you were too busy staring at yourself in the mirror, trying to look pretty for your instructor. Vain idiot.
Isabella rolled out the dark purple mat and lay down on her back, leaning up on her elbows to look up at the computer.
Erin was fidgeting with her hair. Was she nervous? Or was she just affected by watching Isabella lying down and looking up at her like this? God, how she hoped it was the latter option.
“Nice mat! So, yeah, I can see you. I’m going to angle my laptop so you can see me on the floor too. Then you just copy me. And when you can’t see me, just listen to my instructions. ’Kay?”
“Yes, that makes sense.”
“Great. Let’s start off with you pulling your knees up to your chest and hugging them. Then you rock from side to side. You’ll be kinda rolling on your spine, easing out the muscles in your back.”
Isabella watched Erin lie down and adopt the position. She looked like she was trying to roll herself into a ball. Isabella looked away from the screen and followed suit. Soon, she was rocking back and forth and had to admit that it felt good. The tense muscles seemed to be thawing from their ice-hard state. She heard a pop and winced.
“Hey, don’t make that worried face. That’s a good sign. Means we’re getting rid of the air bubbles in the liquid in your joints and stretching parts of your back you don’t naturally stretch. Now, try to roll your legs around clockwise.”
Hesitantly, Isabella followed the instruction.
“Good, you’ve got it. Just like that. Five more.”
After those five rolls, Erin said, “Looking good. Now do it counterclockwise.”
Isabella tried to focus on rolling counterclockwise, but she kept thinking about Erin watching her.
Good. She’s getting a view of your ass, and let’s face it, that is one of your better features.
Isabella was annoyed and ashamed of the thought and willed her focus back to holding onto her legs and rocking in a circular motion. How many had she done now? Was she almost finished? This was getting difficult, and her hips protested to being stretched. There was another pop, this time from her hip joint. It felt like it relaxed after the pop, but it did nothing to cheer her up.
I’m so out of shape. I have to get back into running, even if it’s just once a week. Damn, this is hard work. Okay, maybe it has to be twice a week.
“And that makes eight. Awesome. Job well done. Time to stand up,” Erin chirped.
Isabella stood up. She was starting to struggle with this. Following orders and, even worse, following them from someone sounding cheerful just wasn’t in her nature. It didn’t help that Erin’s tone was starting to remind her of Marie.
“I’m up. Now what?”
Erin grinned and winked. “Ooooh, listen to the grumpy tone on you. Don’t worry, gorgeous. I’ll just show you two more moves, and then you can do them whenever you want to or need to. Without me staring at you or bossing you around. Sound good?”
Isabella gave her a grateful smile and a nod. Marie certainly wouldn’t have been so accommodating.
“Okay. So, first of all, let’s do a normal back stretch. Reach your arms up. Then pull your stomach in a bit, and tuck your booty in at the back. Good, just like that. Aim to make yourself a straight line, and then reach for the ceiling.”
Isabella imagined her fingertip getting closer to the ceiling, and soon another pop, this time from her spine, broke the silence. It came with blessed relief and made her feel like she had blood flow through parts of her back that hadn’t seen any new blood since 1997.
She sneaked a glance at Erin on the screen. She looked so tall when she stretched like that. Tall, fit, and bursting with life. Isabella felt the urge to run her hands over the body on her screen. To hold Erin to her own body. She wondered what Erin smelled like. Did she wear perfume? Did someone so naturally healthy and fresh just wake up smelling of daisies and sunshine?
Erin returned to her original position. Perfect posture, hands on hips, and smile in place. “Great. Time for the last move. Stand normally, and let your hands hang down by your sides. Now just swing them from side to side. Nice and relaxed. Feel good?”
It did. Isabella’s back felt more relaxed and less like any unusual movements would set it off in painful twinges. It didn’t feel healed, but it was a lot less tense than it had been a few minutes ago.
Her back wasn’t the only thing that felt better, though. All of her felt better. Erin’s presence, even if it was just over an Internet connection, made her feel refreshed and relaxed.
Of course, it always felt good to have Erin around, but tonight it…felt different. Why was it different?
Because you’re single now. There’s an opportunity for a future with this woman.
She felt a thrill rush through her and had to force it down. No, no, no. She wasn’t going to go down this road. Not now. She needed to get back to basics. She and Alberto were what mattered right now. When life was settled and her old relationship was a long way in the rearview mirror, then she could afford to start thinking about something new.
She saw Erin tilt her head to the side. “Hey. You okay? You look weird.”
“Why thank you, Miss Black. You really know how to compliment a woman.”
“Come on, you know what I meant. You okay?”
Isabella straightened up. “Yes, I’m fine. Were those all the stretches you wanted to show me?”
“Yep. Well, them and the ones I showed you last time. Do those a couple times a week, at least. If you can do them every day, then that’s even better.”
“I’ll see what I can manage. Thank you so much. I’ll have to send you a present as a kind of fee for your services.”
Erin shook her head. “No need. I’m happy to help. I wanna see you anyway, and combining that with making your body feel better is great.”
Isabella adjusted her hair. “I’m sending you a little something anyway, because I want to.”
“Fine, I’m not gonna say no to a present, if you really want to give me one. Gonna tell me what it is?”
“No. You’ll have to wait and see.”
Erin poked her lower lip out. “Aw, that’s not fair. Tell me.”
Isabella felt laughter bubbling up. How could a grown woman look so much like a child?
“Absolutely not. You’ll simply have to learn some patience.”
Erin groaned. “Fine. Changing the topic, then. Let me know how you get on with the stretches. If you find they don’t do the trick, I have plenty more where they came from. But I guess your back will be getting better soon, now that you’ll move somewhere where you can have your own bed?”
Isabella straightened her back again, feeling how relaxed it was now. And, yes, she might have pushed her chest out a little toward the camera as she did so. “Hopefully. I’m giving that chair to charity so I won’t be tempted to sleep in it anymore.”
“Good. A real bed and getting that back moving will do wonders,” Erin said.
“You’re doing wonders.” The words slipped out before Isabella had time to consider them.
“All part of the job, ma’am,” Erin said with a salute.
Isabella chuckled. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you love it,” Erin countered.
Isabella smirked at her, refusing to answer that.
“Why don’t you go get a chair and sit down? Then you can tell me about your call with your mom,” Erin suggested.
And that was just what Isabella did.
They hung up more than an hour later, when Isabella got a text from Richard. He and Alberto were on their way back.
Isabella hadn’t wanted to be on the phone to Erin when he got home. Even if Erin was nothing more than a friend at this point, it still felt strange to talk to her with Richard in the room. It was too close to the breakup for that.
Her eyes were drawn to the coffee table and the two books about women in comic book history. She wasn’t going to mention to Erin that she had bought one for herself. She was wary of showing how invested she was in Erin’s hobbies. It seemed too intimate. She’d simply send the book to Erin tomorrow and not mention anything else.
What about sending flowers too? They could perhaps be delivered on the same day as the book? No. Too romantic.
On a whim, Isabella went to the kitchen and opened the cabinet where she kept her coffee. She had ordered three packs of Azúcar Negra last time and they had arrived safely and promptly. She took one of the packets and walked back to the coffee table, putting the packet on top of the book. Erin would enjoy the luxurious beans more than flowers anyway. And it was less romantic, wasn’t it? She was questioning everything now. Erin Black really had her in a spin.
The packet of Azúcar Negra left a faint smell of coffee and burnt sugar in the air. Isabella looked at her watch. There was still an hour before midnight. Supposedly too late for coffee, but what did it matter? She was free and single; she could do whatever she wanted. She walked back into the kitchen to make herself some coffee, feeling convinced that far away in New York, Erin was doing the same thing.
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