RockMySenses

by Lisa Carlisle

  “And then say we’re the crazy ones.”

  Chapter Eight

  Mike

  Nico and I were both in the office the next day, which had been rare as of late.

  “Look what you’ve done to me.” I twirled around in my swivel chair. Nico squinted at his monitors and I threw a stress ball at the back of his head.

  “What the fuck, man?”

  “It’s all your fault I’m like this. A total fuckin’ mess.”

  “Oh, you mean an asshole while someone’s trying to work.” Nico hurled the red and blue ball back and I caught it.

  “Look at me, Nico.” I lifted my hands for emphasis. “I can’t pay attention to what the hell it is I’m doing because I’m always thinking about her. Where she is, what she’s doing, and who she’s doing it with. It’s making me fucking mental.”

  “What does this have to do with me?” Nico asked with unmasked skepticism.

  “You were just as bad when you got all hung up on Lily. No, worse. Moping around this office, instigating a fight in New York.”

  “Ha, good one,” Nico said. “Instead of obsessing, pick up the phone and call her.”

  “I can’t. She’ll think I’m stalking her. I’m supposed to see her tonight.”

  “You are stalking her.”

  “Shut the fuck up, man. I am not. I’ve kept my distance.”

  “You bugged the shit out of Lily until she agreed to bring you to Ally’s yoga class.”

  “I wanted to try yoga to loosen the joints.”

  “And Ally’s the only yoga instructor in Massachusetts?”

  “No, but Lily goes to her and they always say to work out with a friend.”

  “You and Lily are not friends,” Nico said with a deadpan expression.

  I ignored him, “Why would I go elsewhere when I know Ally’s a yoga instructor.”

  Nico coughed while muttering, “stalker”.

  I threw the stress ball back at him. “I know she is, uh, wait—how do I say this politely?”

  Nico said, “Damn, you must really be into her. I’ve never heard you say anything polite about a woman before.”

  I adopted a regal expression. “As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted by my heathen office mate, I know how limber Ally is.” Then I rolled forward and added in a high-pitch tone. “And I gots to stay limber for my sick stage moves.”

  “Yeah, I’ve seen them.” Nico smirked. “Mad. Sick. Out of this goddamn galaxy.”

  “You’re just jealous you don’t got the moves like ol’ Chee Keydood has on stage. Stick to whatever the hell it is you do humping the mic stand and I’ll make the chicks go wild with my sexy grinds and insane hip thrusts.”

  Nico threw his head back and laughed. “Insane,” he repeated. “You said it, not me.”

  “Funny.”

  “I try.”

  “And usually fail.” I spun around three-hundred-sixty degrees and dropped my head back, staring at the generic drop ceiling. “I’m serious, dude. What do I do about her? I’ve never felt like this over a chick before. I mean, woman.”

  “Do you blame her for not wanting to get involved with someone like you? Your reputation is—you know. You probably start half the rumors yourself.”

  “No publicity is bad publicity, my friend. Especially for this cheeky dude down here.” I pointed between my legs.

  “Do you want her just because she hasn’t thrown herself at your feet? And now you want a challenge. The hunt.”

  “That’s your style, dude, not mine. Lily all but tells you to fuck off when you buy her champagne and next thing you’re a panting dog at her feet.”

  “It was Nothing. Like. That.”

  I spun back to face my monitor. “No, it’s not a challenge thing. I don’t just want to bang her—well, I do want to bang her—but it’s more than that. I want to be near her all the time.”

  Nico put his hand up as if holding an imaginary mic, dropped his head back, and belted out in a high tone, “Rock bal-lad—I want to be near you all the ti-i-i-ime.” Dropping his hand, he said, “Okay, time to be serious. Let her know you’re interested. If she doesn’t return it, back off.”

  “How do I show I’m interested? Go to yoga again?”

  “No, you sick freak. For a smart guy…” His voice trailed off. “Do something, I don’t know, normal. Take her out to dinner, the movies, something like that.”

  “Is that what you did with Lily?”

  Nico gazed off into the distance. “We—um—yeah, we ate sometimes.”

  “Oh jeez, you two just banged every time you saw each other, didn’t you?”

  “We did more than that. We’re in what’s known as a healthy loving relationship. I know it’s foreign to you, but you should try it sometime.”

  “Healthy. Loving. Dinner. Got it.” I thought for a moment about how the hell I’d approach my next move. “And if I try this and she’s not into it, then what?”

  “You’re fucked. Get over her.”

  “Thanks, man. You’re a real help.”

  Allana

  I drove to the studio to get some work done before I had to head back to the gym. This would be my routine until the grand opening. The mirrors and floors had been installed and it looked closer to a studio than an empty building space. The best part was the space in back that I used as an office. I had a desk and a file cabinet set up. I placed my laptop on the desk and said, “Woo hoo!”

  I could sit at a desk and get work done rather than sit on the floor in the main space. I still had a zillion items on my To Do list, but this studio was coming together. When I glanced at my list, I was pleased to see how many tasks I’d crossed off. Apply for business license with town. Check. Set up a business checking account. Check. Sign up with a company that accepts credit cards. Check. Order yoga mats and equipment. Check. Utilities set up. Check. Order a sign to hang out front. Check.

  My phone rang with an unfamiliar number. A flutter of excitement bubbled through me, wondering if it was Mike.

  Then again, it could be some annoying telemarketer or someone else I didn’t want to talk to. I should probably let it go to voice mail. But if was Mike, I’d miss the chance to talk to him. Despite all my reservations and how busy I was, I knew how much I wanted to hear his voice.

  “Hello?”

  “Is this the beautiful Allana, owner of the soon to be hottest yoga studio on the planet?”

  The deep voice elicited goose bumps all over my body, even over the phone.

  “Only if it’s a computer geek-slash-rock star with a ridiculous Lord of the Rings collection.”

  “Ah, you’re quick as well as beautiful. I like it. So what are you up to?”

  I beamed with pride at his words, then shrugged him off. He was a womanizer, he knew what to say to get into women’s pants. “I’m at the studio. Crossing off items on my list. What about you?”

  “Getting ready to leave work. And hoping I can swing by, check out your new place. Maybe even whisk you away for a quick bite.”

  “Sure, you can stop by. But I don’t think I have time to eat. I have a couple of classes to teach at the gym tonight.”

  “Why don’t I pick up some food?”

  “Just come on down. There are a few restaurants and takeout options within walking distance. We’ll figure it out when you get here.”

  I hung up the phone and tried to ignore the welling excitement within. No matter how much he pissed me off, saying and doing the wrong things, the idea of being near him again thrilled me.

  Be smart. Remember he’s a rock star who enjoys the attention of many women. Think of how he’s exploiting them.

  Then I countered, these women knew what they were getting into—or should know, if they were smart. I should know since I was one of them.

  He arrived twenty minutes later, carrying a paper bag and two coffees. My mouth watered seeing him in this new style, the software engineer leaving the office. I was still used to him as the rock star so to see him with hi
s hair pulled back rather than hanging loose on his shoulders and a pair of hipster glasses did something to me deep within. What girl didn’t swoon over an intelligent guy with a bad boy edge? He wore a pair of faded jeans that fit his long legs all too well, brown boots and a brown leather jacket with a plaid shirt underneath.

  “You wear glasses,” I remarked.

  “Not all the time, mostly for reading. When I’m reading code on the screen, these make a big difference. And then I forget about them and leave them on.” He removed them and put them into his pocket.

  “You don’t have to take them off,” I said.

  “I don’t need them now. I can see things at a distance fine.”

  “So you’re farsighted.”

  “You bet. In fact, I can see better than 20/20. Eye doctors are surprised at the things I can see at a distance.”

  “Hmm, that’s an odd trait. Being able to see things at such a distance.” I moved in closer. “I’ve got to say, I know you’re the hot rock star and all, but the glasses give you another kind of sexy.”

  “Oh.” His brow twitched. “You find the nerd look sexy?”

  I bit my lower lip. “I guess I do.”

  He handed me a coffee. “Caffeine to keep you going. I don’t know how you take it, but there are creamers and sweeteners in the bag. There’s also a huge bag of trail mix for when you need to eat and can’t run out.”

  “Thank you. That’s very thoughtful of you.”

  He glanced around the studio. “Hey, pretty cool. I can totally see it as a bustling place with people pushing each other so they can do downward dog.”

  I grinned, remembering his difficulty in class. “Your favorite position,” I teased.

  “If you’re in it, not me.”

  Shaking my head, I said, “I was talking about yoga, not sex.”

  “Oh. Too bad. I prefer one to the other.”

  Raising a brow, I continued with the tour. “This main area is coming along, which I guess is the most important. Can’t have the studio without a place to run classes.”

  “There’s more?”

  “I have a small office in back.” I pointed to a door on the left. “And that side.” I pointed to the right. “Has an area for coats and shoes and a small rest room.”

  “Nice.” He nodded to the first door. “Can I see your office?”

  “Sure.” I led the way. “There’s not much to see yet.” I showed him the area with only the desk and file cabinet. “I still need to get a couple of chairs to talk to clients and a printer and a whole bunch of other things.”

  “I can help you pick out a printer. Or any computer stuff you want another opinion on.”

  “You would?” My eyes widened and then narrowed. “Why are you being so nice to me? I mean, we already slept together. What’s in it for you?”

  He stared at me unblinking and then shrugged. “You’re right, I’m not really sure. But I like the idea of helping you. And I like spending time with you. So it makes me happy.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you. I’d appreciate any computer tips you could give me. It’s not my strong suit.”

  “With pleasure. So can you get away for something quick? We both need to eat dinner.”

  I glanced at my watch. “Sure. I only have half an hour, forty-five minutes tops.”

  “Plenty of time. Pick your poison.”

  “There’s a sub shop a few blocks down. I could use something hearty.”

  “Perfect. Let’s call in our order and head on down.”

  Fifteen minutes later we were seated at a booth in the sub shop with my chicken cutlet and his meatball sub before us.

  “Tell me what system you’re using to run your business.”

  “Uh, um. What do you mean?”

  “You must have some software to help you, right?”

  My cheeks burned. This was not something I’d considered. “Do I need that?”

  He leaned back and drifted off as he thought about it. “Maybe not. This is coming from a guy who develops systems like these all day, to make things easier for people, so naturally I think everyone would be eager to use them. But you’re the expert in what you need to run your business.”

  “Not exactly, I’m still learning as I go. So if there are ways I can make running the business easier, I’m interested in hearing more.”

  “Okay. Let’s see what you have already. How are you planning on keeping track of sales, clients and so forth?”

  “I bought a program designed for yoga studios that has a bunch of templates. I’ve printed them up with my logo and plan to make copies of them. Then I can store them in folders in my file cabinet. I also have an Excel spreadsheet where I can add sales and then give them to my accountant. She said something about QuickBooks or something.”

  “That’s good and it will work fine. But maybe we should set something up so you have your electronic files and a backup system. Paper or electronic. One virus and you can lose everything. Do you have anti-virus and a backup method set up?”

  My eyes widened. “I’m pretty sure I have anti-virus something or other. Whatever the Internet company set up. Backup method, probably not.”

  “Let me think while I eat for a minute.”

  He picked up his sub and chewed, his eyes focused outside on nothing in particular. I could practically see the gears moving as he thought. When half the sub was gone in a few bites, he said. “Let me take a look at your laptop and see what I can do to get you set up properly. We’re talking an all-in-one printer-fax-scan-copier, an external hard drive as well as Cloud backup storage, anti-virus and anti-malware programs, and maybe an easy software system for business management to start.”

  “Sounds like a lot of work, but if you’re up for it, I’d appreciate it.”

  “With pleasure. I’m a geek at heart, I get into these things. I’m off Saturday, but we have a show at Vamps that night. How about I give you a couple of options this week and then I can help set everything up on Saturday?”

  “Oh my God, you’d do that for me?”

  “Of course.”

  “How can I pay you back? Whatever you want.”

  He grinned with lasciviousness. “Don’t say that, because I think you know what I want. But I’d never take advantage of you that way.” He scratched his chin. “Come to my show Saturday night.”

  “What? That’s not paying you back. You know I’m already a fan.”

  “Fine. How about dinner on Saturday, after we’re done here and before I need to set up?”

  “Absolutely,” I agreed. “That’s the least I can do.” I took his hand and looked at him in earnest. “Thank you, Mike. I have been so overwhelmed ever since I started to make this dream become a reality. You don’t know how much I appreciate your help.”

  After Mike left the studio, I took care of a few more things before I closed up. In class, I found myself distracted, which was unusual. After years of yoga I was well-practiced in clearing my mind. It was more difficult to do with Mike on it. I pictured him in class the other night and tried not to smile, my horror at having him show up now replaced with the humor in the situation.

  He was a conundrum, without a doubt. He used women for sex, yet he could be more considerate than most people I knew. He didn’t seem like the type of guy who’d be capable of being in a relationship. Yet the more time I spent with him, the easier it was to see him in that role. The little things he did showed me he was far more considerate than he let on.

  I had to keep my defenses up though, unless I wanted to get hurt. No matter how much I looked forward to Saturday, I had to find a way to keep my distance.

  Chapter Nine

  Saturday came and Mike arrived with a box of supplies. By two o’clock, he had my laptop set up with better anti-virus software and backup systems, a multi-function printer, and had downloaded software I could use to run everything I needed for the studio from my laptop and even on my smartphone. All I had accomplished was teaching several morning classes
and purchasing a couple of chairs and display stands from an office supply store.

  “You are a godsend,” I told Mike. “I don’t know how to repay you.”

  “You do know how to repay me. We’re going to dinner and then you’re coming to my show tonight.”

  “I seem to be benefiting greatly from this arrangement.”

  “Fine. Throw in a free yoga class.” He grinned. “For beginners.”

  “If you insist. Although I find it hard to concentrate on teaching when you’re in the class.”

  “Hard not to notice this fine physique,” he teased, rubbing his hands down his side. “Especially when arched in some rather graceful poses.”

  I laughed. “That’s one way to state it. Another way is saying it’s hard not to notice someone with arms and limbs working independently of the rest of his body. I still can’t believe you came to my class.”

  “I wanted to see you,” he said, glancing into my eyes. “And it seemed like a better idea before I actually tried it.”

  My eyes fixed on his endless hazel pools for several moments, noting the blend of green, brown and gold. “I’m glad you did.” Then I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

  “We’re not done yet. I still have to teach you how to work with the software.”

  “Computer lesson?” I asked. “Oh hold on. I’ll pick up some coffees.”

  After I returned, we sat down together in front of my laptop in my office area, which now looked and functioned like an office with much help from Mike.

  “I found the most intuitive program out there to make it easier to use. You want the software to help you, not make you struggle. This one groups functions together in a way that makes it easy for you to run a basic yoga studio with a small number of clientele and few classes, yet it’s also robust enough to grow with your business. If you hire new instructors, it’s easy to create multiple accounts with various access rights.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “You can give them only as much access as they need. So they can add clients to classes, for instance, but won’t be able to see your financial info.”