Chasing You

Chapter 6-2

AlexaI put the disconcerting reunion with Graham Ryan behind me and spoke with the contractor to get an overview of our electrical issue to send a note off to the new landlord. Then, I changed into my workout clothes and taught two pilates and yoga classes.

By seven o’clock, my stomach grumbled angrily, sending me next door to Viva Sandwiches & More before I drove home. Since I hated cooking, Toby and Sarah Larson’s shop provided many of my meals—morning smoothies, lunchtime sandwiches, and soups and salads to go for dinner.

“Alexa!”

A rambunctious, dark-haired nine-year-old charged toward me and threw her arms around my waist.

“Hey, Poppy!”

The gap in Poppy Larson’s grin made me smile.

“You lost a tooth.”

“I did. I got five dollars for it.”

“Boy, the Tooth Fairy is getting really generous these days.”

“It wasn’t the Tooth Fairy. It was my mom. You don’t still believe in fairies and the Easter Bunny, do you?”

The little girl turned up her nose.

“Of course not. Everyone knows that only Santa Claus is real.”

“Oh, my God. You can not be serious.”

“I’m totally serious. Didn’t Santa bring you some great gifts over the holiday?”

“Yeah,” Poppy snorted. “Sure.”

“Don’t ruin the fun for her, Poppy.” Toby emerged from the back of the restaurant with a cleaning rag and began wiping down the counter. “You need some dinner, Lex?”

“Yes, please.” I perused the menu alight over Toby’s head. “I’ll take the low-carb chicken wrap with a side of snap peas and hummus.”

“Coming right up.” Toby reached for the low-carb tortilla wrap and filled it with a handful of mixed greens and diced grilled chicken.

“Sarah here?”

“No. She’ll be back in a bit to take Poppy home. She had a meeting with the juvenile diabetes people. She’s getting the details on how we need to structure the fundraiser so we can make sure the donations are tax deductible and all that other money stuff.”

“Perfect. I have a ton of ideas of what we can do for the event.”

I had volunteered to put on a fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The cause had become dear to my heart ever since Poppy was diagnosed a year ago.

Her parents managed her condition carefully, allowing her to be the exuberant, healthy child shimmying around one of the café tables in the front of the shop. The Foundation had been a huge help to Toby and Sarah, and they wanted to give back.

“Great. I may have found you some help for that.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. This morning, the new landlord came by and saw the store display about the benefit. We got to talking, and he said he’d love to help any way he could. I’ll bet he has a lot of connections.”

“That’s nice of him.” My even tone gave no hint of my underlying irritation at Graham’s potential involvement.

“I know. I really liked him. I was worried at first about dealing with the big management company, but I feel much better now. Have you met him?”

“Yes. He came to the gym right after his appointment with you.”

I fiddled with my wallet, pretending to look for the debit card I already held between my fingers.

“What? You didn’t like him? Sarah adored him. Maybe a little too much.” Toby slipped into an imitation of his wife. “‘He’s much better looking than Michael.’ I think she must have said that four or five times after he left.”

“It’s a business arrangement, so I can think of qualities more important than being hot.”

Toby’s eyebrows slid higher. “But you do think he’s hot? He wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. Not that I noticed that. Sarah did. I think she’s plotting.”

“What?”

“You know how she’s always on the look out for guys to fix you up with.”

I frowned. “I don’t need her to play matchmaker for me and the landlord.”

“Already on it, then?” An amused feminine voice drew my attention to the front door. Sarah hustled in, hoisting her large handbag higher on her shoulder.

“No. Not on it at all. You two don’t need to start.”

“Oh, come on. Why not?” Sarah asked.

“We’re in business together.”

“Oh, hardly. It’s not like this is a company where you’ll get canned for s****l harassment or something. And you’ve dated guys who’ve come into the gym before.”

I cursed silently. True. But Graham? Been there, done that. Of course, I wouldn’t tell Toby and Sarah. That would only encourage more foolishness.

“I appreciate the consideration, but I’ll stick to finding my own dates.”

Sarah erupted in laughter. “That’s a polite way to tell us to go to H-E-double hockey sticks.”

“That’s Hell, Mom. I can spell hockey sticks.” Poppy rolled her eyes wildly with one hand on her hip.

“With that, I think your order is ready.” Toby chuckled.

“Great. Excuse me while I bolt.” I plopped my card down on the counter.

“Should I give Graham your contact information for the fundraiser?” He passed me the bag of food and dangled the receipt in my face. I snatched it from Toby’s fingers.

“I’m pretty sure he has it.”

“It’s nice of him to volunteer to help, though. Don’t you think?” Sarah pressed on.

“It’s important for him to establish good relationships with the tenants,” I offered.

“I thought he was a nice guy. And he’s much better looking than Michael.”

“So you’ve mentioned,” Toby piped in.

“Oh, you don’t have anything to worry about.” Sarah smiled at her husband and smacked her lips together for an air kiss before turning back to me as I began my retreat. “And you could do a lot worse.”

I didn’t feel compelled to respond to my friend’s entreaty. Maybe I could do worse than Graham. A repeat performance might even be fun.

My gut quivered.

Excitement? A warning?

I couldn’t tell.

I grabbed my dinner and waved goodbye.