He stood up and followed her.
"Of course I remember Mario Party."
"I still play Mario Party when I'm injured," he said.
"What are you doing to yourself that gets you injured so much?" she asked. "Does that happen from working out?"
"No, I played sports in college and stuff."
He was being vague by instinct. He resisted the urge to give her details about his athletic career or his father's because he wanted to make her like him for who he was. He wanted to earn her affections the natural way. He held his tongue.
"College sports? That's pretty intense. I have a customer who played college football. A few women who were or are college athletes, too. They talk about it like it's a big part of their lives."
"Yeah, it was fun."
"What did you play?"
"Baseball. And football, actually." Part of him regretted saying that and giving her so many details, but she didn't get hung up on it.
"Wow, it's no wonder you had so many injuries," was all she said. "What made you want to open a gym?"
"It was my brother's idea. He came up with it while I was at a pivotal point in my life… so I went with it."
"That's great," she said. "Did you say he was your twin?"
"Yes."
"Man, that's so cool. And your sister is younger than you guys?"
"Yes. Lila. She got married recently."
"That's right," she said, nodding and working away on his haircut.
Chapter 6
EJ
That haircut was the fastest hour of his life. He and Savannah talked nonstop as she worked, and then he found himself at the end of the haircut, wishing they could start over.
"My next customer's already here, I saw her pull up, and I'm slammed until seven tonight. I'm sorry to say goodbye so quickly." She glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's three o'clock. I assume you're staying the night, right? You're not going back today, are you?"
"No," he said, since he knew she was about to try to make plans with him. He had been fully intending on driving back right now, and he felt a sense of relief when she asked, so he lied.
"Would you want to have dinner or just catch up a little more after I'm done here?"
"Y-yes," he said, feeling like he could not get the word out fast enough. Seeing her standing there. It all felt right. She felt right.
"Okay, great. Can you come back here at seven? Would that work for you?"
"Yes," he said, not hesitating.
She beamed. "Awesome! Come on, I'll walk you out front."
EJ followed Savannah to the foyer where three women were waiting, along with the receptionist.
"Hey there, Jeannie," Savannah said to one of the women. "You're welcome to go set your stuff down at my station if you like. I'll be with you in just a second."
The lady smiled, nodded, and began to stand up, and Savannah moved to the front desk and turned her attention to the girl working there.
