by Ellie Danes
I smiled and nodded back at him as I began the short walk to my office.
* * * * *
The phone on my desk rang, snapping me out of the daydream I had been lost in. I’d been staring out over the Manhattan skyline displayed so vividly through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my top-floor office.
I picked it up, and my personal assistant, Carly, was on the line.
“Yes, Carly?”
“Colin, Austin Phipps is on the line. He wants to talk about the old boxing gym.”
“Put him through.”
There was a beep as Carly transferred the call to my phone.
“Mr. West,” the voice on the other end of the line said, “this is Austin Phipps. It's good to finally be able to talk, even if not in person.”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Phipps. Yes, it is good to speak with you.”
“Please, call me Austin. Email is so… impersonal, I find,” he stated.
“It is, it is,” I agreed. “Always nice to be able to put a voice to the name I've been negotiating with.”
“And soon we will meet in person, but for the moment, I really do need to talk quite urgently to you about the acquisition of Mike's Gym, which is the reason for the phone call.”
“You're prepared to make a final offer, I assume?” I asked coolly.
“That's right. Seeing as you were going to close that deal with MacFey's firm at the end of today, I felt I had to make a move.”
I chuckled. “You really are confident that turning it into a yoga studio is going to work, aren’t you?”
“I've studied the market trends, and in light of the changing demographics of the area over the last decade, the redevelopment, and it becoming hip instead of working class… yes, I strongly believe it's in a prime location for a just such a studio.”
“Actually, I think it has a good chance of working out well for you,” I replied. “It's a bold move, branching out from developing restaurants to moving into the exercise, wellness, and fitness arena. But it’s a risk I think will pay off.”
“What can I say, Mr. West? I'm a man who likes exploring unfamiliar territory, a sentiment I'm sure someone like you can appreciate.”
“I can, indeed. And please, call me Colin.”
“Of course, Colin.”
“Well, let's not waste any more time then. As you know, MacFey's firm made an offer, but he knew there was a chance another offer could come in before the end of today.”
“And that's exactly why I'm calling you now.”
“You like to cut it close, Austin. The business day ends in half an hour. So, what's your offer?”
“I'll up MacFey's offer by seventy-five thousand dollars. Is that enough for me to secure the deal?”
“Well, as a courtesy, I'll have to call MacFey and give him the option to negotiate. I have to give him preference. You do understand that, don't you?”
I could hear the urgency in his voice – he was trying to hide it, but I could tell it was there, and I was doing my best to capitalize on it.
“Fine. One hundred thousand.”
“I think he'll match that offer, Austin. I'm just telling you straight up because he really wants the property.”
“Damn it, Colin, what's it going to take?”
I smiled. “You tell me, Austin, you tell me. How badly do you want the place? Just give me the right amount, and we can close this deal right now, I promise you that.”
“One hundred and twenty-five thousand more than his offer. And that's my final offer. If you don't want that, then you can stick with MacFey's offer.”
“It's a deal. You can take the gym. Stay on the line, and I'll get my assistant to assist you with the paperwork. When they're ready, I'll courier the documents over for you to sign. Sound good?”
“Excellent.”
“Pleasure doing business!” I said with a smile. It always felt good to close a deal like this – especially since Austin's new offer had just upped my profit on this deal to over half a million dollars.
I pressed a button and put the call on hold, then called Carly's desk.
“Carly, I'm going to need you to prepare the sale documents for Mike's Gym right now,” I said as soon as she picked up.
“Can it wait Colin? You know I have to get going today.”
“I know, but I’ll make it up to you. the documents have to be sent out today and couriered over to Phipps.”
She sighed. “All right, all right, I'll get on it. But can you do me a favor, please?”
“Of course.”
“Anna is supposed to be at her dance class in twenty minutes. Could you pick her up and take her there? Please?”
It wasn't something I really wanted to do, but Carly was practically family.
“All right, sure. I'll go get Anna now. Which dance studio is it?”
“The Hanover School of Dance over on Fifth.”
“Okay, I know where that is. I'll get her,” I chuckled, “I’ll even call to have the driver pick me up so you don’t have to.”
Carly rolled her eyes at our private joke. She knew I hated to feel waited on, but counted on her to get the little things done. “Thanks, Colin. See you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Carly, and thanks again for doing this.”
I put the phone down, confirmed with Phipps that he’d be getting his documents within the hour, shut down my computer, and left my office.
Right on time the driver was out in front of the building. It was a short drive over to the daycare center where Carly's six-year-old daughter was. I had picked her up once or twice before, so the staff knew me.
“Hi, Anna,” I said as she ran over to give me a hug.
“Hey, Uncle Colin,” she said with a smile. “Yay, I get to ride in the fast-fast car today!”
“The fast-fast car,” I said with a chuckle. “Not today. Today we’re being fancy and getting driven around,” I laughed. I buckled her in, and we drove over to the dance studio while she told me about her day. The driver parked out front as we both slipped out of the car and into the studio.
“Well, here we are,” I said as we walked in, hand in hand.
“Good afternoon,” the lady at the desk said. “Are you here to enroll your daughter in a dance class?”
“Oh, she's already enrolled in a class here. Her name is Anna Adams. I'm just dropping her off.”
The woman stood and looked down over the counter at Anna.
“Oh, hi, Anna,” the woman said with a sweet smile. “Go on in, your teacher is waiting.”
“Bye, Anna,” I said as she turned toward the hallway.
“Bye, Uncle Colin.” she replied over her shoulder.
I turned around to leave, but was stopped in my tracks. There, sitting on a sofa across the room, was a woman who took my breath away. She had long, thick auburn hair that tumbled down over her shoulders, and her bright green eyes sparkled like jewels, her delicate features arranged in perfect symmetry. Her long, tanned, curvy legs were tantalizingly revealed by a short skirt, and I found my eyes lingering on them for a little too long. She looked my way, we made eye contact, and something I can’t explain passed between us.
I knew I had to go over and speak to her. I took a step in her direction, but as I did, a woman breezed past me and went over to her. The auburn beauty stood and they shook hands.
“Hi, I'm the manager,” the older woman said to her. “Come with me to my office and we'll talk about that job.”
She smiled at me as she walked past, following the manager. What happened was something I hadn’t felt since high school—my stomach knotted up. I knew that I had to find out more about this gorgeous woman... I absolutely had to.
CHAPTER 3
Skye
I was nervous while I waited for the manager to arrive, there was no denying that. I didn't have any qualifications to speak of – unless street smarts counted, and I doubted they did. There was nothing “street” about this place. I had already realized that I was probably going to have to bend the truth a little
to get a foot in the door. And if that’s what it was going to take, then that’s what it was going to take. I was prepared to do whatever was necessary to get my foot in this door. Dancing was the only thing that meant anything to me anymore. It was the only hope I had left in this harsh, cruel reality. If I let it go, that would be the end.
With these thoughts stewing in my head, I needed some sort of distraction to get my mind off being so nervous – and that distraction happened to walk through the door. He immediately caught my eye with his beautifully-cut dark gray business suit. I didn’t know much about suits, but it seemed this one was tailored perfectly to his athletic build. His dark hair, cropped short on the sides and slicked back on top in a trendy style, was thick and framed his square-jawed face. A pair of deep-set brown eyes immediately brought to mind images of male models in fashion magazines. He looked to be in his early thirties, and as he smiled, I had to catch my breath. He was dashingly handsome, with an air of confidence and power. I couldn't keep my eyes off him.
And while I didn't notice a wedding band on any of his fingers, he had his daughter with him and there was no doubt the man was taken. Still, it didn't hurt anyone just to look, did it?
Suddenly, he turned around and stared right at me. He was checking me out! I darted my gaze down to avoid contact. Still, I could tell his eyes were roving over me. I looked back up, and our eyes met. It was an intense moment. I was sure he could sense the attraction I felt toward him glowing in my own eyes.
He looked like he was about to say something, but before anything could happen, a middle-aged woman walked past him and came straight over to me. She extended a hand, which I shook politely as I stood up.
“Good afternoon,” she said. “I'm the manager of the studio. You're here to apply for the opening?”
“Hi, yes, that's right.”
“Come with me to my office, and we'll talk about that job.”
I followed her, smiling at him as I passed. When we arrived in her office, she motioned to the chair in front of her desk.
“I’m Gwen, please have a seat.”
“I’m Skye Slade.”
I had a severe case of butterflies in my stomach, but I was doing my best to remain calm and come across as confident.
“So, Skye,” she said, “what made you want to apply for this job?”
“I love dance,” I said. “It's my passion. It has been since I was a little girl, and I've always dreamed of working in a prestigious dance studio like this one.”
“I see. And you are a professional dancer now, I presume?”
Now came the truth bending part.
“Well, I was. Back home before moving here. I had to stop when I broke my ankle, and I haven't danced for months because of the injury. I moved to New York because of family issues, and now I'm trying to find a job here.”
She nodded. “Interesting. Your resume says you were in Virginia. You don't sound like a Virginian to me. You sound like you've been in Manhattan far longer than a few weeks, actually.”
“My parents were originally from Manhattan, so I grew up speaking like them.”
“I see. Well, welcome home then,” she said with a smile. “So, what genre of dance would you say is your specialty? Ballet? Street or urban? Latin?”
“I've umm… I've dabbled in different styles. I'd have to say that Ballet and Latin are my favorites.”
“Those are very passionate forms of dance, yes. Well, on to the more boring questions. What hours are you available to work?”
“Any times I'm required to be here. Weekdays, weekends, day shift, night shift, whatever. I can be here.”
“Noted. Do you have experience with computers, spreadsheets, bookkeeping?”
“I worked in an office before,” I didn’t exactly lie on that one. I’d helped the nuns at the church office on occasion. “I can do all of that.”
“Well, then, I suppose I can give you the job. There have been several applications, but you're the first person I've interviewed – lucky timing on your part, I'd say. I really hate doing interviews, and it seems like you're qualified. So, when can you start?”
Pure joy exploded through my system. I wanted to jump up and do a little happy dance, but I managed to keep my cool and pretend I was only mildly happy. I smiled politely at her.
“Well, tomorrow would be perfect.”
“Tomorrow it is then. Be here at eight o' clock in the morning. We open at nine, but I'll need to show you the ropes before we open.”
“I will be here. Thank you, Gwen, I really appreciate the opportunity,” I said.
“You’re welcome,” she replied. “I'm taking a chance on you, Skye – so don't disappoint me.”
* * * * *
I went to the restaurant bathroom and locked myself in a stall as I often did at the end of every waitressing shift. Once safely inside with some privacy, I opened my backpack and took out a brown paper bag. Once new and crispy but now weathered and falling apart, it was the same bag that had contained the marijuana and money I had taken from my father on that fateful day he had sent me out with them—the day I had decided to run away and vowed never to return home.
The marijuana I had tossed in a dumpster, but the money I had kept. There had been ten thousand dollars in the bag that day. Now, the total was about half of that. I was about to add the $112.35 I had made on this shift to the bag. It was really quite amazing that any of the $10,000 total was still left, considering it had been eight years. But through hard work and careful budgeting, I had managed to not blow everything. Of course, not having to pay rent made it possible. But even with work and budgeting, my savings kept shrinking.
“I'm sorry for doing this to you, Dad,” I whispered to myself as I always did. “But you didn't leave me much choice. One day I'll pay you back. One day...”
I knew that wasn’t true. There was a part of me that felt the need to feel guilty, for abandoning him. I knew the wrath he’d feel from Eddie and his crew, but I also knew the circumstances and situation my father put me in. The way he treated me.
My guilty feeling quickly subsided.
I stuffed the money back into my bag and left the restaurant. I headed back to the church, to the section of the homeless shelter where I still slept. I put the money under my pillow, as I always did, and quickly fell asleep.
* * * * *
Gwen had explained pretty much everything to me about what I needed to do, and it seemed like I would be able to handle everything. There was still one more thing that I wanted to ask her about though.
“Gwen, there is one more thing...”
“Yes?”
“I was wondering if we get employee discounts for classes here.”
“Yes. You get twenty percent off.”
“Okay, so how much would the classes be for me with that discount?”
“Hmm, well, they'd be around 7500 dollars for full access,” she replied.
The words hit me like a sledgehammer to the gut. I would never be able to afford classes here, never.
“You know, Skye, there is another way to get tuition here, and it's free.”
I perked up. “How?”
“We have a yearly fundraising auction, and it's coming up soon. You put together an item to auction – a basket of luxury toiletries or maybe have a company donate something, for example – and the person who raises the most funds gets a year of free tuition here.”
“Really? And I can do that?”
“Of course.”
Finally – a light at the end of the tunnel. Hope... hope.
CHAPTER 4
Colin
The work day was about to end, but work was the last thing on my mind. In fact, I hadn't been able to concentrate on my work at all today, because images of the gorgeous woman I'd seen at the dance studio had been popping into my mind all day. I couldn't quite pinpoint what it was about her that had grabbed my attention with such a fierce, unrelenting grip, but I knew one thing for sure: I had to see her again.
; But how? It would seem weird if I just showed up there for no apparent reason and sought her out. Then, however, I had an idea. I picked up my phone and dialed the number of my personal assistant.
“Hi, Colin, what's up? Please don't tell me you have another last-minute assignment that's gonna keep me here late again.”
I chuckled. “No, Carly, it's nothing like that. I was just wondering, um, does Anna go to the dance studio again today? If she does, I'd be happy to take her.”
“Well, she loves going there, and I'm sure she'd go every day if she could, but have you seen the fees they charge there? I can't afford to send her there more than once a week.”
This was not working to my advantage. I had to go there. I had to have an excuse to see the brunette again. Desperate times called for desperate measures, so… I acted.
“I'll pay for her to have a few extra classes.”
There was silence on the other end of the line for a few moments. I'm sure Carly was probably feeling a little shocked at this very unexpected offer.
“Um, well, that's incredibly generous of you, Colin, but... uh, I'm a little taken aback by your offer. Wait, is there something you want me to do in return? You trying to butter me up for some really stressful project you've got up your sleeve?”
“Not at all. I just saw the joy on Anna’s face when I dropped her off yesterday, and well… I mean, I know she spends a lot of time at daycare. I did, too, when I was a little boy, and I know how frustrating that can be, especially when you've got a passion for something. Mine was baseball when I was that age, but my parents wanted me to focus on other things, things they considered more important. I appreciate everything they did for me, but wish they could have been a bit more understanding when it came to things that I was passionate about. So, uh, maybe I'm just reliving my childhood vicariously through your daughter, but hey, if I can make her happy and give her the kind of chance I never had, why not?”
I was surprised with how easily I had managed to justify it – and I wasn't lying either. My childhood really had been like that. I loved my parents, and we were very close, but at times it had felt like their influence and focus on me had been stifling.