Page 63 of Risk It All
Tuesday I went to his apartment. More sex. He did, in fact, repeat what he’d done with his tongue. And he cooked me dinner.
Today was Wednesday, and who knew what the day would bring.
This whole friends with benefits thing was pretty ideal. Not only did I get amazing sex out of it but amazing food, too.AndI was less pent-up and more relaxed.
After teaching a yoga classes this morning, I caught up on admin work, including rent and other bills for the month. As much as I enjoyed bartending at Lake Ridge, I’d started working there for extra money for Root and Vine. Last summer, Jules helped me with a plan to install new floors, repaint, and add decorations like fake plants, flameless candles, and art. Next, I wanted to replace the mirrors and light fixtures, which was what I was saving for.
As I looked at the numbers, it seemed within reach. Likereallywithin reach. If the next couple of months proved to be successful and I saw a bump from the tourists visiting town, I’d have enough money to reach my savings goal and potentially feel comfortable enough to bring on another instructor skilled in Pilates or barre to expand the studio’s offerings. I also wanted to partner with organizations in town, like the animal shelter or food bank, to host events that benefited both businesses and thecommunity.
I looked up from my laptop when the door to the studio opened, and in came my grandma.
“There’s my granddaughter. Here I thought you’d gone missing,” she teased with a warm smile on her face.
“Hey, Gran.” I got up from my seat and rounded the counter to pull her into a hug. She always smelled sweet—like flowers and honey. “Hadn’t gone missing. And you’re going to see me later today! Are we still on for an early dinner?”
Cooper and I tried to have dinner with Gran as often as we could. Typically, we aimed for once a week, but with the start of the summer right around the corner, we’d both been swamped. We were going to have an early dinner today before I headed into Lake Ridge.
“We sure are.” Gran pulled away from the embrace and gave my hands a squeeze. “You look good, dear.”
I let out a laugh. “Do I usually not?”
“No, it’s not that. You just keep yourself so busy. I was worried you were working yourself too hard when I hadn’t heard from you, but it doesn’t look like that.”
“What does it look like?” I asked.
“Like you’re living life and enjoying every second of it.”
I rolled my eyes playfully, sliding my laptop and notes into my bag. “I’vebeenliving life, Gran.” I pulled my sweatshirt over my sports bra and leggings, hitched my purse onto my shoulder, and grabbed my keys. “C’mon, let’s go over to Lily’s to grab some dessert for after dinner.”
“Now you’re speaking my language.”
I locked the studio, and Gran hooked her arm with mine once we made it outside.
We went next door to Purrfect Blend, and as soon as I pushed open the door, we were greeted by delicious smells of cinnamon, vanilla, and coffee.
Lily greeted us with a wave as she finished up chatting with Susan, one of the locals who was setting up in the storefront incubator Lily and Gabe were working on. Susan made candles that smelled amazing and always had me craving something sweet.
“What brings you two in?” Lily asked with a grin as we approached the counter and sat at the two stools closest to her. She immediately started making our regular drinks.
“Sweet treats, of course,” I replied playfully.
“How was yoga this morning?” Lily asked but then didn’t waste a minute before turning to my grandma. “Did Eliza tell you that Leo came to a class?”
Gran looked at me with a sly smile. “She didn’t, but Donna did.”
Lily set our drinks in front of us, matching my grandma’s smile. They shared a knowing look.Whatthey both thought they knew was beyond me.
I ignored them both and brought my coffee to my lips. One of themanythings I loved about Lily’s café was she always made her drinks the perfect temperature to take a sip as soon as she dropped them off.
“Anyways,” I said, licking the foam off my lip. “Could you pack up some pastries for us? And Iguessenough so Cooper could have one. We’re meeting him in a few hours for an early dinner.”
“You got it.” Lily grabbed a pair of tongs and a pink bakery box.
I reached into my wallet, pulling out more than enough cash to cover what Gran and I were buying, and slipped it into Lily’s tip jar.
“I saw that,” she said while closing up the box.
“If you agreed to take my card, then I won’t have to carry around cash. This is the only place I use it, you know.”
