Library

2. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Archer

Today had been as close to a perfect day as I could ever remember. I at least tried to take one day a week to wander around town with my Nikon , taking pictures, and today had been exactly what I needed. I'd started out early so I could take advantage of that magical time right before sunrise.

I'd managed to get some beautiful shots in the park of the flowers and of the birds as they woke up with the sun. After that, I'd gone over to the local dog park, and after getting permission, I took some amazing photos of the dogs running around, living their best lives. Once I'd finished up there, I took my time wandering through the old part of town and taking pictures of anything that caught my eye.

For instance, I got a shot of a beautiful plant that was sitting on an interestingly shaped metal stand. Its strong green stalks and large leaves framed the abundant, vibrant blooms, but the eye-catching thing was the background. The robust, healthy plant was sitting in front of an older stucco building that wasn't in the best of repair. The juxtaposition of the healthy, colorful plant against the large crack in the building behind it was going to make for a striking photo. I was sure of it.

After that, I went back to my studio to spend some time in the darkroom to develop the pictures. I'd been told time and time again that darkroom photography was a dead art and that I should go all digital. And for the most part, I had. All my wedding and studio photography were done digitally, but my true love was film. I loved the process of developing it, and there was an artistic quality to film photography that you just couldn't duplicate with digital.

I stepped out of the darkroom where today's photos were hanging to dry and headed over to Luxe for lunch. It was a small bistro in our condo building that had some of the best sandwiches in town.

"Hey, Archer," Terrance greeted me from behind the counter. "You want your usual?"

I looked up at the menu board. I really should try something else for a change, but I thought that every time and didn't. "Yeah, give me the salmon BLT and some chips."

"You'll be glad you made that choice. It's especially delicious today."

"It's always good. That's why I keep getting it." It really was. I should know because I had it at least once a week, sometimes twice.

"I'll bring it right out."

I sat in the same place I always did as long as the table was empty, and it usually was. The windows that faced the outside of the building had a great view so that was normally where people chose to sit. I preferred the table by the entrance that was open to the old hotel lobby. It almost felt like I was still home, but someone else was doing the cooking.

Plus, from here, I could see the lobby walls. Hitch was nothing if not supportive, and he'd decorated the walls with a collection of my artwork. Each one was framed and ready for purchase. Those pieces were a constant reminder to me that while weddings and portrait photography might be my job, I truly was an artist.

I spent the rest of the afternoon in my studio editing the photos from what shall forever be known as the catfight wedding. I'd taken hundreds of photos that day, which was normal for me. Most of them the bride and groom would never see, so the first step was to go through and eliminate all the ones that weren't worth keeping, and from there, I'd start the actual editing process.

While I worked, I kept an eye on the clock. I wanted to get in one more hour of shooting today. I planned to go out for the golden hour. It was the hour just before sunset, and the lighting was absolutely brilliant for that one sixty-minute span of time. I stopped in time to go upstairs to my condo and eat dinner because I only allowed myself one meal out a day.

My plan was to be in place ahead of time and to be ready for whatever presented itself. There was a creek that ran along the eastern side of town, and I wanted to be on the other side of it so I could see the sun's reflection in the water. It was also the perfect time to catch shots of the local wildlife. The possibilities were endless, and I didn't want to miss it.

When it was time to go, I hurried down the stairwell from my fifth-story condo to the landing on the second floor, and then I followed it around to the grand staircase that led to the lobby. I planned to go out through my studio so I could grab any equipment I needed.

As I cut across the lobby, I passed the yoga studio. I had no attention of looking in, after all, I was in a hurry, but the blinds were up, and damned if that adorable guy that had taken over the place wasn't in there by himself.

He was bent over at the waist, hands on the floor. I needed to keep going. Not only was I on a deadline if I wanted to be in place on time, but it was just flat-out pervy for me to stand out here and watch him, even if the blinds were open. Then it hit me. Seriously, he really should close the blinds.

I glanced around the lobby to see who was around, but the place was empty. That didn't change the fact that anyone could be here. The lobby was open to the public, and no one needed to know he was in there all alone at night. What was he thinking?

I stood there and watched, mesmerized as he gracefully bent his legs and lowered himself to the floor. Then he grabbed one leg and lifted it up over the opposite shoulder, which looked impossible enough in and of itself, but then he wrapped the other leg around that one and reached down with both arms and pushed his body up. It looked like all of him was tied in one huge knot that was being suspended in the air on two hands.

I itched to take a picture of him like that so I could study it later and figure out exactly how he did it and how I could unravel that knot. I didn't, of course, because that would be an even bigger violation than me standing here watching him.

I shook my head and started to head for my studio when the knot came undone, and he lowered himself to the floor. Then he looked up to see me watching him. Shit, shit, shit. I quickly turned the other way and headed back up the stairs to my condo. Forget the golden hour. I was going to go hide in my condo where I couldn't get into any more trouble.

Crispin

Holy shit! Was Mr. Tall, Dark, and Broody watching me? He had to have been, right?

There was no one else around, so what else or who else was he staring at? Damn, I wish he hadn't taken off like that. I'd finally had the perfect opportunity to meet him. Completely bummed, I headed over to the side wall and picked up my towel to wipe off my face. I'd been in here running through poses for over an hour, so I felt amazing, but I needed to freshen up before the last class tonight.

A notification of a missed call showed on the screen of my phone, and I smiled, happy to see that Aziza had called. Pushing send, I returned her call. She answered, "It's my favorite human," which made my grin widen.

"Hello, Aziza. How's Florida treating you?" She'd been gone for a couple of months now, and I missed her like crazy. She'd taught the first yoga class I'd ever taken, and then she'd coached me through getting all my own certifications. It was great being able to earn them online, but I felt sorry for anyone who hadn't received that personal touch that I'd had with Aziza by my side.

"It's glorious. You have to come visit. I'm telling you, Crispin, there's nothing like yoga on the beach at sunrise."

It sounded amazing, but I wouldn't be traveling anytime soon. Aziza was giving me time to buy the name of her yoga practice from her, which included a fair number of clients, but I'd also lost several who were devoted to her. The rent on the space in this old hotel-turned-condominiums wasn't cheap, but I didn't want to give it up. The ambiance in a place so rich with history and renovated so lovingly couldn't be beaten. "One day," I finally responded, realizing I'd kept her waiting too long.

Her lyrical laughter came over the line. "You worry too much, my young friend. Harmony and Joy Yoga was meant to be yours. It'll all work out."

This was one of the things that I'd always loved about Aziza. From the first time I'd met her, she'd radiated this inner peace that I hadn't known was possible. That had been back in my last year of college when the stress of what came next was really starting to weigh me down. I'd pursued a finance degree like my brother, Ben, but only because I'd had no idea what else to do. The closer to graduation I got, the more unhappy I'd been, until my first Yin Yoga class with Aziza. "I hope so. I've really been trying—"

"Nope," she said, cutting me off. I could picture her shaking her head, her long braids with all of the gold beads and jewels swinging gently around her shoulders. "The last three times I talked to you, it was about business. I'm missing my friend tonight. Tell me what else is going on? Have you been out lately? Met any fine men to call Daddy?"

If this had been almost anyone else, I'd be embarrassed, but not with Aziza. She knew how much I yearned for a Daddy of my own. I'd confessed that little tidbit to her long before I'd come clean with how much I hated my job. "No, I've either been busy here with classes, or I've been hanging out with my brother."

No way was I telling her that I'd added DoorDash to my resume. She'd made me promise not to overextend myself to buy the business from her, but whether she said it or not, I knew she needed the money to start something new. Besides, most people couldn't live from their yoga studios. I saw new ones open and close all the time. It was her determination and drive that had made this place what it was. The name and reputation were worth their weight in gold.

"You need to make time for yourself, Crispin. You're young. You need to get out there. Go out for cocktails, dance a little, hook-up with a sexy man."

An image of the man who'd been watching me outside of the studio popped into my head. "There's someone I'd like to meet," I said. "He lives here in the condos, and I've seen him at the bar several times, but I've always had my stuff, so I never worked up the nerve to go in."

"How in the world is he supposed to know you exist if you don't go in there and introduce yourself?"

I snorted. I had no problem rattling away to anyone about yoga or knocking on the door for my deliveries, but the idea of approaching a hot guy was ludicrous.

Aziza laughed. "Okay, silly question. You should at least go into the bar when he's there and plant your ass somewhere he can see you, though. Once he gets a look at you, I'll bet he'll make the first move."

I loved this woman. "Normally, I'd tell you I think you're biased and giving me too much credit, but…" I trailed off, building the anticipation.

"But what? Are you holding out on me?"

Snickering, I said, "No, and until right before you called, I'm not sure he'd ever noticed me before. But it just so happens I caught him ogling me through the windows while I ran through some poses." The other side of the line grew quiet. "Aziza?"

"Did you have the blinds up?"

The studio was one of many storefront locations on the bottom floor of the old hotel. Since the side facing out into the hall was all glass, it was perfect for the boutiques and other retail stores to display their goods to everyone walking by. We had roll-down blinds covering our windows much of the day so the students would feel comfortable moving through the poses. No one wanted someone staring at them doing downward dog with their butt in the air. Except maybe me, if it was that luscious man from earlier.

"Well, yeah. You always kept them open between classes so people could check out the esthetic. I think it's a great way to draw people in."

The floors of our studio were two-toned hardwood with soothing cream-colored walls. To the right, immediately after you walked in, was a coatrack tree and a place for shoes. In the corner was the small desk where we conducted business. To the left, we had a small sitting area with a coach and a couple of chairs around a circle table where we had a few different decks of tarot cards, a couple of books on manifestation, magazines, and other literature on yoga.

My personal favorite wall was the one opposite the hallway. In the center was a huge mosaic of the Tree of Life. On either side were Tuscan column pillars with a large golden hurricane holder on each one. We used white flameless battery-operated candles in them for safety, but a brass incense burner hung from the ceiling on the left side, so the studio always smelled amazing. Personally, I thought that alone, along with the low lights, helped people take a breath and begin the journey of relaxing and resetting the minute they crossed the threshold.

"Crispin, we've never left them up when we were practicing or if we were alone. Honey, that isn't safe."

"That's true. I guess—"

"Speaking of," she said, cutting me off. "When are you going to find someone else to help you out? You can't conduct all the classes yourself. I've always had at least two other instructors besides me on the schedule until Shelly left, but since you'd just quit your job, it helped us both out for you to take over hers. But you can't do them all. You'll wear yourself out, and it's going to affect your energy."

Ugh . I'd been dreading this question. If she figured out that I'd even added sessions since she left, she'd be really pissed. It wasn't that I didn't want help because I really did. I missed having someone like-minded around to talk to and plan events with. But instructors had to be paid, and I'd never be able to buy Harmony and Joy if I didn't keep every cent that came in. "I know. It's on my to-do list."

"Then move it to the top of your list and close the blinds permanently until you're not alone in there."

I rolled my eyes affectionately, even though she couldn't see me. Aziza was such a mother hen. "Yes, Mom."

She chuckled in response. "I know you have a session soon, so I'll let you go so you can finish preparing. I love you."

"Love you, too." And I did. Meeting her had set a whole new path for my life, and I couldn't be more thankful. As I walked over to close the blinds, my thoughts went back to the eye candy from the hall. I'd often wondered if he was interested in younger guys or if he was even gay, for that matter. His stopping to stare gave me hope.

Comments

0 Comments
Best Newest

Contents
Settings
  • T
  • T
  • T
  • T
Font

Welcome to FullEpub

Create or log into your account to access terrific novels and protect your data

Don’t Have an account?
Click above to create an account.

lf you continue, you are agreeing to the
Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy.