Noia’s nod is firm. “I get it. It’s one of the manythings I love about you. Just promise me you’ll keep us in the loop and won’t go off on your own.”
“I promise.”
The once-empty spaceis still bustling with activity. The contractors have finished installing the last of the mirrors, and the reception desk area, and a couple of my new hire instructors are familiarizing themselves with the equipment.
Reyna Winters, a new hire who’s helping set up the aerial silks, is standing high up on a ladder, attaching a swath of vibrant purple fabric to the ceiling mount.
“Be careful up there,” I call out, bracing a hand on one of the steps.
She looks down with a smile that practically illuminates the room. With her wavy white-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders and striking ice-blue eyes, she looks more like she belongs on a beach than in a gym. Toss in some gills and scales? Textbook angelic mermaid.
“Don’t you worry,” she replies, giving the silk a firm tug, testing its stability. “I’ve been doing this since I was fifteen.”
She descends the ladder, moving with the kind of grace that makes the simple action almost look like it’s been choreographed.
“How’s the emergency responder training going?” I ask, helping her straighten the silk.
“Intense,” she admits, brushing a piece of hair away from her face with a shrug. “The physical stuff is easy, but the medical terminology is kicking my butt. I’ve got flashcards all over my apartment, including my bathroom mirror.”
I laugh. “Wow. That’s dedication.”
“My dad was a first responder,” she explains, eyes softening. “I always wanted to follow in his footsteps, but I also need something creative as a way to decompress. That’s why I’m so grateful for this part-time gig. It allows me to do both.”
“Well, we’re lucky to have you,” I say sincerely. “Not many people have your level of expertise with aerial work.”
She beams at me. “Thanks for taking a chance on me. I know my resume is a bit... eclectic.”
“Eclectic is good. Means you’ll bring a unique perspective.” I glance around the room. “Could you help Noia with the rest of the silks? I need to check on how the juice bar setup is coming along.”
“On it!” She gives me a mock salute and heads over to where a now struggling Noia has somehow managed to almost completely wrap herself up in a bolt of pink nylon.
Snorting out a laugh, I head over to check out the juice bar. The contractors have made good progress, installing the sleek countertop and hanging pendants that will cast a warm glow over the space. It’s coming together exactly as I’d imagined.
“Ms. Garrett?” I turn to see one of the equipment installers holding a clipboard with a worried expression on his face. “The rest of your equipment is here. We’ve got the delivery truck waiting outside, but there’s gonna be an issue loading from the rear.”
“What kind of issue?” I ask, following him toward the back of the building.
“The truck’s too big for the space. We’re going to have to unload from the street and carry everything in through the front.”
I sigh, mentally calculating how much longer that will take. “Okay, we’ll make it work. I’ll grab some of the other staffto help. See if we can move any cars parked out front that might be in the way.”
As I’m coordinating with the delivery guys out front, I spot a black SUV with tinted windows slowly drive by. My blood runs cold when it circles back for a second pass, slowing down even more.
“Hey, you okay?” Noia asks, coming up to stand next to me on the sidewalk. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Did you see that black SUV?” I whisper, my eyes darting anxiously to where it disappeared around the corner.
She cranes her head to look. “What SUV?”
Even though the vehicle is gone now, a strange sense of unease lingers at the back of my neck. Am I being paranoid? Maybe.
I brush it off and shake my head. “Probably just someone trying to find parking amid all this chaos.”
Linking our arms, I steer us toward the moving truck. “Let’s go. I’d like to get this banged out before lunch.”
By the timethe rest of the equipment is unloaded, my stomach is growling so loud even Noia can hear it.
“Lunchtime?” she laughs, wiping sweat from her forehead. “I’m starving too.”
