Page 10 of Love In The Air

“Yeah, it is.” Darnell took a sip of his drink and pointed to the dance floor. “Get out there. Let loose a little. You got the gig with the show, try to enjoy life a little. Relax.”

Relax. A word often spoken to him by everyone in his life. One would think as a yoga instructor, relaxation would be second nature to him. Not true. Meditation was the hardest part of his job. His mind was always running, always focused on the next task.

But was that really a problem? Being driven to accomplish your goals? He didn’t think so. If you didn’t have goals to work toward, what was even the point of life? His drive helped him achieve the things he wanted in life and if that made him a little…uptight at times, was that really such a bad thing?

Ryan sure thought so.

“You can’t control everything and everyone, Chance.”

He shook his head. Shoving the negative thought out of his mind. He would not think about his ex anymore. So what if Ryan thought he was a control freak? Control was good. Someone had to be looking out for those around him. Making sure things were getting done. He knew all too well what happened when you left things in the hands of the incapable.

His hand went to the necklace around his neck, rubbing the cool metal engraved with his baby brother’s name.

He shook off the dark emotions swimming in his chest, threatening to drown him. Not tonight. Not right now. He was here with his buddy to have fun, blow off steam, and dance. Dropping his hand, he grinned at Darnell.

“Okay, but only if you go with me.” Dancing in the air on an apparatus for a crowd of people was one thing. Dancing in the middle of a crowd on the floor was another. One that Chance didn’t particularly care for, but his friend was right. He needed to step outside of his comfort zone every once in a while.

“Let’s go, dude.”

Draining the last of his water, Chance set his glass on the bar and turned to head to the dance floor. But as he turned, he ran smack into someone. Someone small and soft who cursed out his name in a familiar voice.

“Dammit, Chance, can’t I get a moment’s peace from you?”

He looked down to see peach hair twisted in two space buns and a pair of light brown eyes glaring at him.

“Iz!” He grinned, an unexpected ping of joy hitting him straight in the chest at seeing her adorably grouchy face in front of him. “What a surprise.”

“I hate surprises,” she grumbled.

Her friend from the show, Tori, if he remembered correctly, was standing next to her, drink in hand. The taller woman gave Iz a gentle shove.

“You’re supposed to be playing nice, Iz.”

“At the studio, this is a bar.”

He chuckled. Her obstinate attitude got him every time. Maybe there was something wrong with him. He loved seeing Iz all feisty and prickly. Leaning down, he gave her a wink and said, “Practice makes perfect.”

She rolled her eyes, but he thought he caught a hint of a smile curling the corner of her mouth.

“Iz, Tori, this is Darnell,” he said, motioning to his friend as he made introductions. “Darnell, this is Iz and Tori. We’re in the show together.”

Darnell waved. “Nice to meet you both.”

“You too,” Tori said with a smile.

“Are you two dating?” Iz asked, fiddling with the label on her beer bottle.

He frowned. What a weird question for her to ask. Normally, Iz didn’t want to know anything about him. Why would she ask about his dating life?

“Nope.” Darnell smiled. “My boy and I are purely platonic. I’m just here to help him to dip his toe back in the dating game. He’s a little gun-shy after his asshole ex. Ryan was such a dick, I don’t know what you ever saw in that guy, Chance.”

Iz frowned, her gaze snapping to Chance. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say there was a hint of sympathy in those brown eyes.

“Asshole ex?”

“Leave it,” he muttered to his buddy.

"Dude, he dumped you on the anniversary of your brother’s—”

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