Liam and Walker exchange a glance.
“Liam made me get the flowers, but the drink was all me!” my brother insists. I raise my eyebrows at him.
“Well, mostly,” he mumbles.
I laugh.
“You know I love you two idiots, right?” I say as I give Walker a big hug, holding tight so he feels it.
“We are pretty awesome.” And all serious conversation is out the door. I resist rolling my eyes again, but damn, it’s hard.
“I love you too, sis.” He squeezes me too tightly, and I know everything will be okay between us.
I reach over to hug Liam, but he’s reluctant, which is new. I pull him in tighter, until finally, his arms come around me, but I note his caution and I’m not sure how to respond. Instead, I linger a bit too long, trying to puzzle it out. Then, at the last minute before I pull away, he pulls me even closer. It feels different. He’s always felt like an extension of my brother, but today, I’m aware of the strength of his arms and the hardness of his chest. Too aware, I realize as my body heats up in a way it hasn’t in a very long time.
“Love you, too, Mads,” he whispers into my hair. His voice is deeper, a little husky, and the words feel different from usual, but also really good. Now I linger before letting him go. He turns away, but not before I see the flush on his face. Something’s changed, and I’m not entirely sure what. I’m about to say something when Walker grabs me from behind and swings me around. I shriek, as usual, because that’s what I do, which, of course, is why he does it.
“We’re outta here, big sis. Going for a run. Later.” He waves, and they’re out the door before I can even say goodbye, but the warmth of that hug lingers long after they’ve left.
I sip my chai tea and look at the daisies, which are now in a vase on my desk, and enjoy a few moments of peace before my next class, but instead the phone rings, because of course it does. I sigh and answer anyway.
“Ms. Walker. Hello. Its Damon Hawk from the Wolves.”
“Hello Mr. Hawk. How can I help you today?”
“Well, I had an idea of how we can make your yoga class a bit more appealing to the players. Do you have a minute to talk about it?”
“Sounds interesting. I’d love to hear it.”
He runs through his idea. It’s kind of brilliant, and Kenji is going to find it hilarious. I let him know that I’ll check in with Kenji and get back to him, but I’m certain he’ll agree.
Tonight is my late night, so I’m at the studio until well after eight. I’ve finally gotten enough staff that I only have to work this late once a week. It’s a vast improvement over the fourteen hours days I was putting in when I first opened my studio.
Kenji’s already eaten by the time I get back to his place, but he’s such a caretaker that he’s left me a plate in the oven. He always does. It’s so considerate. I love living here and all the ways he takes care of me, but it’s time for me to find a place of my own. Now that we’ve “broken up,” I hate being a leech, even though he says he doesn’t mind. The problem is, I mind. I’m just a little unsure about how to accomplish that yet.
I grab the pile of mail that Kenji left on the table. I can eat and sort mail, two birds, one stone, as they say. Halfway through the stack, I come upon a formal-looking envelope from a local property management firm. I tear it open, my anxiety spiking at the thought of another rent increase, or worse.
With trembling hands, I skim the cover letter attached to a bundle of legal papers. I reread it several times, not sure that I’m understanding it correctly.
“This can’t be right?” I say to myself.
“What can’t be right?” Kenji’s deep voice by my ear makes me jump. I smack his shoulder.
“Can you not? You scared the crap out of me.”
He gives me a wicked smile and grabs a drink from the fridge.
“So, what’s up?” he gestures toward the paperwork in my hand.
“It’s so strange. This says that my landlord sold the building, and the owner sent out a new lease. It’s for half of what I was paying in rent, and it includes the apartment above the studioas part of the lease. They’re going to clean it out and upgrade it with a kitchen, and a bathroom. They say it will be ready in two or three weeks.”
I’m at a loss for words. I never have this kind of luck.
“Wow. That’s crazy. Are you sure that’s right? Want me to double-check it?” He offers.
“Please.” I hand him the paperwork, needing a second pair of eyes. He takes a few minutes to read through the letter, then double-checks it against the legal paperwork, which turns out to be a copy of the new lease.
“Damn. Yeah, this all looks legit. This is huge, Maddie Bear.”
