“Oh, right, Lea. You’re the Pilates teacher, right?”
I nodded and she asked me more about my work. Eloise joined in as well and I had to tell myself to calm down and be cool. Sure, she was a fabulously famous author who toured the country and the world and had sold millions of copies of her books, but she was still just a person like everyone else.
“We should come to your class. This one likes to workout at home,” Cade said, pointing at Eloise, who rolled her eyes. They were the most unbelievable shade of blue that was almost purple. I’d never seen anyone with eyes like that.
“I like having my own equipment,” she said. Eloise had brown hair that brushed her shoulders, and I knew she was a little bit older than Cade, but I couldn’t remember how much. I’d seen her books on shelves since I was a kid, I knew that much.
“Do you have a reformer?” I asked. One of my dreams was to someday get my own. The real ones were horrifically expensive, but I’d been coveting one for so long. I’d need a second bedroom just to house it.
“I’ve been thinking of getting one,” Eloise said. “I’ve been doing yoga, but I know I need to get more into dynamic movement and add some weights.”
“Yes, thank you!” Cade said. “That’s what I’ve been saying.” Eloise gave her a look and her entire face and chest blushed.
“I could steer you in the right direction. Did you have a brand in mind?”
And that was how I ended up talking to Eloise Roth about Pilates reformers.
“You don’t do private sessions, do you?” I had in the past, but I’d switched to doing public classes at the gym. But for Eloise Roth? I’d make an exception.
“Yes, I do.”
Cade had been listening to the conversation and glared at Eloise. “Are you trying to make me jealous?”
Eloise turned her gaze on Cade. “Cadence. Calm down.”
Cade clenched her jaw and then laughed.
I gave Eloise my card and told her that I’d be happy to come to her place for some private Pilates sessions. I had the feeling she’d pay pretty well too. Plus, getting to see her house?
“Look at you, networking,” Vail said when I turned to see how she was doing. Buck the dog sat next to her chair and her hand stroked across his sandy head.
“Have you just been petting the dog this whole time?”
“And eating.” She nodded at her empty plate.
I lowered my voice. “Are you doing okay?” She nodded.
“Need anything?” I was a little parched, so I asked her to get me some water.
“Be right back.” Buck followed her toward the kitchen where the drinks were being made.
“Sooo,” Cade said, drawing the word out. “What’s the story with you two?”
“Story?” I asked, feigning ignorance. I knew exactly what she was asking.
She rolled her eyes. “Are you together or…”
Eloise nudged her, but Cade didn’t take the words back.
“It’s kind of a weird story. Our parents used to be married, but we hadn’t seen each other in years. We recently kind of reconnected and that’s about it.” There. That was the truth with no extra embellishment.
Cade’s eyebrows went up. “That’s fascinating.” She leaned forward. “It sounds like something out of a book. Doesn’t it, El?” Cade nudged Eloise with her shoulder.
Eloise tried to act like she wasn’t listening, but she absolutely was.
“You’ve never done a step-sibling romance, have you?” Cade asked Eloise.
“No, I have not. That’s not one of the tropes I’ve ever explored. I know it can be very popular in certain reader spaces.” Oh yeah, I’d seen those books before. Not my cup of tea, but they were obviously someone else’s.
