RockMySenses (9 page)

She breathed in and out for several long moments before she
said, “Yes.”

“How have you been?”

“Busy.”

“With the studio?”

“Between my regular classes and setting up the business, I
barely know my name.” Her voice didn’t have the edge anymore, like she was
ready to explode.

“Can I help in any way?”

She knitted her brow. “No offense, but I saw you in yoga
class. I don’t think you’re an expert on that topic.”

“That’s not what I mean,” I said. “Surely there’s something
I can do to help you out.” I kept my mouth shut and thought before I spoke
because all my ideas tonight had been disastrous so far. “How about I take you
for a bite to eat tomorrow. And you can show me the studio.”

“I appreciate the gesture, but—”

“But, what? I know I’ve screwed up today. I’m sorry I came
to your class without checking with you first.” I flashed a sheepish grin. “But
you need to eat. I shouldn’t be able to screw that up too much.”

“It’s okay. You meant well.” The furrowed lines disappeared
from between her eyes and her expression softened. “I’m sorry for
overreacting.”

“So we’re on for dinner tomorrow?”

“Let me think about it.”

“What’s to think about? You need to eat.”

“I’ve got another class to teach. I’ve got to go.”

She turned to go inside, and I stopped her. “Give me your
cell number. It will keep me from going to asinine lengths to see you.”

She shook her head, but smiled. “I can’t believe I’m doing
this. But fine.”

She gave me her number and I punched it into my phone. I
watched her walk away, her fine ass moving in perfection in her tight yoga
pants. For screwing up, it ended up better than I could have planned. We had a
date, sort of.

Allana

After my classes were over, I checked my phone. Lily had
left a message on my voice mail.

“Ally, I’m trying to give you a heads-up. Mike is following
me to your class right now. I don’t know how he convinced me to come, but
somehow he did and I know you’re going to freak out. I’m sorry.”

Damn straight I freaked out all right.

I called her back. On the fourth ring, I was pretty sure
Lily was going to avoid answering my call. When she answered, I was surprised
and blurted out, “I’m going to kill you, Lily!”

“I know, I know. I’m so sorry. I don’t know how he convinced
me to let him come.”

“Do you know how caught off guard I was?”

“I tried to warn you.”

“I heard your voice mail. I know you did.”

“Are you mad?”

“I was horrified. Baffled. And then almost lost it
laughing.”

“I know.” She giggled. “The bizarre things he was doing with
his limbs were killing me.”

“You were killing me,” I replied through laughter. “I saw
you trying to hold back laughing and that set me off. It took every ounce of
control to get past that.”

“Your most challenging client to date?”

“Challenging and utterly confusing.”

“Why?”

“After you left last night, he convinced me to get something
to eat with him tomorrow and check out the studio.”

“What happened to the one night thing you both agreed to?
Technically, two nights.”

“Exactly. What’s his game? He didn’t make any play to get to
know me after we hooked up this summer, why the sudden interest now?”

“You are asking the wrong person about how men think or why
they act like they do. They behave in mysterious ways.”

“And then say we’re the crazy ones.”

Mike

Nico and I were both in the office the next day, which had
been rare as of late.

“Look what you’ve done to me.” I twirled around in my swivel
chair. Nico squinted at his monitors and I threw a stress ball at the back of
his head.

“What the fuck, man?”

“It’s all your fault I’m like this. A total fuckin’ mess.”

“Oh, you mean an asshole while someone’s trying to work.”
Nico hurled the red and blue ball back and I caught it.

“Look at me, Nico.” I lifted my hands for emphasis. “I can’t
pay attention to what the hell it is I’m doing because I’m always thinking
about her. Where she is, what she’s doing, and who she’s doing it with. It’s
making me fucking mental.”

“What does this have to do with me?” Nico asked with
unmasked skepticism.

“You were just as bad when you got all hung up on Lily. No,
worse. Moping around this office, instigating a fight in New York.”

“Ha, good one,” Nico said. “Instead of obsessing, pick up
the phone and call her.”

“I can’t. She’ll think I’m stalking her. I’m supposed to see
her tonight.”

“You are stalking her.”

“Shut the fuck up, man. I am not. I’ve kept my distance.”

“You bugged the shit out of Lily until she agreed to bring
you to Ally’s yoga class.”

“I wanted to try yoga to loosen the joints.”

“And Ally’s the only yoga instructor in Massachusetts?”

“No, but Lily goes to her and they always say to work out
with a friend.”

“You and Lily are not friends,” Nico said with a deadpan
expression.

I ignored him, “Why would I go elsewhere when I know Ally’s
a yoga instructor.”

Nico coughed while muttering, “stalker”.

I threw the stress ball back at him. “I know she is, uh,
wait—how do I say this politely?”

Nico said, “Damn, you must really be into her. I’ve never
heard you say anything polite about a woman before.”

I adopted a regal expression. “As I was saying before I was
rudely interrupted by my heathen office mate, I know how limber Ally is.” Then
I rolled forward and added in a high-pitch tone. “And I gots to stay limber for
my sick stage moves.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen them.” Nico smirked. “Mad. Sick. Out of
this goddamn galaxy.”

“You’re just jealous you don’t got the moves like ol’ Chee
Keydood has on stage. Stick to whatever the hell it is you do humping the mic
stand and I’ll make the chicks go wild with my sexy grinds and insane hip
thrusts.”

Nico threw his head back and laughed. “Insane,” he repeated.
“You said it, not me.”

“Funny.”

“I try.”

“And usually fail.” I spun around three-hundred-sixty
degrees and dropped my head back, staring at the generic drop ceiling. “I’m
serious, dude. What do I do about her? I’ve never felt like this over a chick
before. I mean, woman.”

“Do you blame her for not wanting to get involved with
someone like you? Your reputation is—you know. You probably start half the
rumors yourself.”

“No publicity is bad publicity, my friend. Especially for
this cheeky dude down here.” I pointed between my legs.

“Do you want her just because she hasn’t thrown herself at
your feet? And now you want a challenge. The hunt.”

“That’s your style, dude, not mine. Lily all but tells you
to fuck off when you buy her champagne and next thing you’re a panting dog at
her feet.”

“It was Nothing. Like. That.”

I spun back to face my monitor. “No, it’s not a challenge
thing. I don’t just want to bang her—well, I do want to bang her—but it’s more
than that. I want to be near her all the time.”

Nico put his hand up as if holding an imaginary mic, dropped
his head back, and belted out in a high tone, “Rock bal-lad—I want to be near
you all the ti-i-i-ime.” Dropping his hand, he said, “Okay, time to be serious.
Let her know you’re interested. If she doesn’t return it, back off.”

“How do I show I’m interested? Go to yoga again?”

“No, you sick freak. For a smart guy…” His voice trailed
off. “Do something, I don’t know, normal. Take her out to dinner, the movies,
something like that.”

“Is that what you did with Lily?”

Nico gazed off into the distance. “We—um—yeah, we ate
sometimes.”

“Oh jeez, you two just banged every time you saw each other,
didn’t you?”

“We did more than that. We’re in what’s known as a healthy
loving relationship. I know it’s foreign to you, but you should try it
sometime.”

“Healthy. Loving. Dinner. Got it.” I thought for a moment
about how the hell I’d approach my next move. “And if I try this and she’s not
into it, then what?”

“You’re fucked. Get over her.”

“Thanks, man. You’re a real help.”

Allana

I drove to the studio to get some work done before I had to
head back to the gym. This would be my routine until the grand opening. The
mirrors and floors had been installed and it looked closer to a studio than an
empty building space. The best part was the space in back that I used as an
office. I had a desk and a file cabinet set up. I placed my laptop on the desk
and said, “Woo hoo!”

I could sit at a desk and get work done rather than sit on
the floor in the main space. I still had a zillion items on my To Do list, but
this studio was coming together. When I glanced at my list, I was pleased to
see how many tasks I’d crossed off. Apply for business license with town.
Check. Set up a business checking account. Check. Sign up with a company that
accepts credit cards. Check. Order yoga mats and equipment. Check. Utilities
set up. Check. Order a sign to hang out front. Check.

My phone rang with an unfamiliar number. A flutter of
excitement bubbled through me, wondering if it was Mike.

Then again, it could be some annoying telemarketer or
someone else I didn’t want to talk to. I should probably let it go to voice
mail. But if was Mike, I’d miss the chance to talk to him. Despite all my
reservations and how busy I was, I knew how much I wanted to hear his voice.

“Hello?”

“Is this the beautiful Allana, owner of the soon to be
hottest yoga studio on the planet?”

The deep voice elicited goose bumps all over my body, even
over the phone.

“Only if it’s a computer geek-slash-rock star with a
ridiculous Lord of the Rings collection.”

“Ah, you’re quick as well as beautiful. I like it. So what
are you up to?”

I beamed with pride at his words, then shrugged him off. He
was a womanizer, he knew what to say to get into women’s pants. “I’m at the
studio. Crossing off items on my list. What about you?”

“Getting ready to leave work. And hoping I can swing by,
check out your new place. Maybe even whisk you away for a quick bite.”

“Sure, you can stop by. But I don’t think I have time to
eat. I have a couple of classes to teach at the gym tonight.”

“Why don’t I pick up some food?”

“Just come on down. There are a few restaurants and takeout
options within walking distance. We’ll figure it out when you get here.”

I hung up the phone and tried to ignore the welling
excitement within. No matter how much he pissed me off, saying and doing the
wrong things, the idea of being near him again thrilled me.

Be smart. Remember he’s a rock star who enjoys the
attention of many women. Think of how he’s exploiting them.

Then I countered, these women knew what they were getting
into—or should know, if they were smart. I should know since I was one of them.

He arrived twenty minutes later, carrying a paper bag and
two coffees. My mouth watered seeing him in this new style, the software
engineer leaving the office. I was still used to him as the rock star so to see
him with his hair pulled back rather than hanging loose on his shoulders and a
pair of hipster glasses did something to me deep within. What girl didn’t swoon
over an intelligent guy with a bad boy edge? He wore a pair of faded jeans that
fit his long legs all too well, brown boots and a brown leather jacket with a
plaid shirt underneath.

“You wear glasses,” I remarked.

“Not all the time, mostly for reading. When I’m reading code
on the screen, these make a big difference. And then I forget about them and
leave them on.” He removed them and put them into his pocket.

“You don’t have to take them off,” I said.

“I don’t need them now. I can see things at a distance
fine.”

“So you’re farsighted.”

“You bet. In fact, I can see better than 20/20. Eye doctors
are surprised at the things I can see at a distance.”

“Hmm, that’s an odd trait. Being able to see things at such
a distance.” I moved in closer. “I’ve got to say, I know you’re the hot rock
star and all, but the glasses give you another kind of sexy.”

“Oh.” His brow twitched. “You find the nerd look sexy?”

I bit my lower lip. “I guess I do.”

He handed me a coffee. “Caffeine to keep you going. I don’t
know how you take it, but there are creamers and sweeteners in the bag. There’s
also a huge bag of trail mix for when you need to eat and can’t run out.”

“Thank you. That’s very thoughtful of you.”

He glanced around the studio. “Hey, pretty cool. I can
totally see it as a bustling place with people pushing each other so they can
do downward dog.”

I grinned, remembering his difficulty in class. “Your
favorite position,” I teased.

“If you’re in it, not me.”

Shaking my head, I said, “I was talking about yoga, not
sex.”

“Oh. Too bad. I prefer one to the other.”

Raising a brow, I continued with the tour. “This main area
is coming along, which I guess is the most important. Can’t have the studio
without a place to run classes.”

“There’s more?”

“I have a small office in back.” I pointed to a door on the
left. “And that side.” I pointed to the right. “Has an area for coats and shoes
and a small rest room.”

“Nice.” He nodded to the first door. “Can I see your
office?”

“Sure.” I led the way. “There’s not much to see yet.” I
showed him the area with only the desk and file cabinet. “I still need to get a
couple of chairs to talk to clients and a printer and a whole bunch of other
things.”

“I can help you pick out a printer. Or any computer stuff
you want another opinion on.”

“You would?” My eyes widened and then narrowed. “Why are you
being so nice to me? I mean, we already slept together. What’s in it for you?”

He stared at me unblinking and then shrugged. “You’re right,
I’m not really sure. But I like the idea of helping you. And I like spending
time with you. So it makes me happy.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you. I’d appreciate any
computer tips you could give me. It’s not my strong suit.”

“With pleasure. So can you get away for something quick? We
both need to eat dinner.”

I glanced at my watch. “Sure. I only have half an hour,
forty-five minutes tops.”

“Plenty of time. Pick your poison.”

“There’s a sub shop a few blocks down. I could use something
hearty.”

“Perfect. Let’s call in our order and head on down.”

Fifteen minutes later we were seated at a booth in the sub
shop with my chicken cutlet and his meatball sub before us.

“Tell me what system you’re using to run your business.”

“Uh, um. What do you mean?”

“You must have some software to help you, right?”

My cheeks burned. This was not something I’d considered. “Do
I need that?”

He leaned back and drifted off as he thought about it.
“Maybe not. This is coming from a guy who develops systems like these all day,
to make things easier for people, so naturally I think everyone would be eager
to use them. But you’re the expert in what you need to run your business.”

“Not exactly, I’m still learning as I go. So if there are
ways I can make running the business easier, I’m interested in hearing more.”

“Okay. Let’s see what you have already. How are you planning
on keeping track of sales, clients and so forth?”

“I bought a program designed for yoga studios that has a
bunch of templates. I’ve printed them up with my logo and plan to make copies
of them. Then I can store them in folders in my file cabinet. I also have an
Excel spreadsheet where I can add sales and then give them to my accountant.
She said something about QuickBooks or something.”

“That’s good and it will work fine. But maybe we should set
something up so you have your electronic files and a backup system. Paper or
electronic. One virus and you can lose everything. Do you have anti-virus and a
backup method set up?”

My eyes widened. “I’m pretty sure I have anti-virus
something or other. Whatever the Internet company set up. Backup method,
probably not.”

“Let me think while I eat for a minute.”

He picked up his sub and chewed, his eyes focused outside on
nothing in particular. I could practically see the gears moving as he thought.
When half the sub was gone in a few bites, he said. “Let me take a look at your
laptop and see what I can do to get you set up properly. We’re talking an
all-in-one printer-fax-scan-copier, an external hard drive as well as Cloud
backup storage, anti-virus and anti-malware programs, and maybe an easy
software system for business management to start.”

“Sounds like a lot of work, but if you’re up for it, I’d
appreciate it.”

“With pleasure. I’m a geek at heart, I get into these
things. I’m off Saturday, but we have a show at Vamps that night. How about I
give you a couple of options this week and then I can help set everything up on
Saturday?”

“Oh my God, you’d do that for me?”

“Of course.”

“How can I pay you back? Whatever you want.”

He grinned with lasciviousness. “Don’t say that, because I
think you know what I want. But I’d never take advantage of you that way.” He
scratched his chin. “Come to my show Saturday night.”