Page 31 of In the Long Run
‘You think they’ll go for this?’I ask.
‘Absolutely.Meredith and Bernie love Alizée’s.Everyone does.’
I’m about to reply when the doors to the studio next to us open and sweaty people and noise fill the foyer.
‘Hey!Sorry to keep you waiting,’ Meredith says once the reception area’s empty.
‘You guys haven’t officially met.Meredith, this is Knox Watson.Knox, this is my sister.’
‘Nice to meet you,’ I say as Meredith casts a discerning glance over my body.
‘Weightlifter?’she guesses.
‘Little bit of everything,’ I reply.Everyone in the Army has to pass their basic fitness assessment every six months, but fitness matters to me for a different reason.Aside from Eugene taking me in, exercise saved my life all those years ago.Taught me about the things I could control.How I could safely channel my frustrations.It’s been my escape ever since.
‘Looks like a great set-up,’ I say as we move down a hallway, past the open weights room.Any gym junkie would be happy with the selection of equipment available.Rows of weights are racked against one wall with everything from kettlebells, medicine balls and dumbbells all arranged neatly.The rest of the room is filled with an assortment of strength training machines.Laminated signs reminding everyone to use towels on the equipment are tacked to the mirrors that span the other wall.
‘Bern.’Meredith waves to get her husband’s attention and then taps on her watch.He stops talking to a dude in Lycra bike shorts who should be wearing exercise shorts over the top.
Gen follows my gaze.‘Oh.Oh, no.That’s not okay.’
‘What?’Meredith asks, peering past us.
‘There’s a sausage and potatoes situation on the shoulder press,’ Gen squeaks, and I bark out a laugh, unable to stop myself.
Sausage and potatoes, I mouth at her, enjoying how embarrassment rushes across Gen’s delicate features.
‘Gen!’Meredith laughs.
‘It’s Knox’s fault.I have no filter around him for some reason.’
‘What’s the most embarrassing thing she’s said to you?’Meredith asks me.
‘No.’Gen karate chops the air.‘Nuh-uh.We arenotdoing that.Not today.I’m still recovering.’
‘Must’ve been real bad,’ Meredith teases, shifting closer to me.‘One time she said something about moustache rides—’
‘Bernie, hi!’Gen cuts off her sister, shooting her a warning look that doesn’t have any real heat behind it.
‘Hi, guys.’Bernie extends his hand and I shake it.His grip is firm, solid.He doesn’t do that dickish squeeze that so many guys do.I like him instantly.
‘Thanks for meeting with me,’ I say once we’re inside their office.
Meredith and Bernie take the two seats behind the large pine desk, leaving Gen and I to sit on the small couch in front of it.Our thighs brush and we both shuffle awkwardly apart but there’s nowhere to go.
‘Gen says you’ve got a proposal for us.’
‘My godfather, Eugene Black, owns Alizée’s Pâtisserie.’
‘Their éclairs are to die for.’Meredith groans.
‘And recently, things have been tough.I don’t want to go in to too much detail and I’d appreciate if you could keep what I’m about to share with you confidential’—last thing we need is more sharks circling and waiting for blood—‘but Alizée’s is in financial trouble.There’s a chance it might close.’
Meredith leans back in her chair, a pained expression on her face.‘I can’t imagine this place without Alizée’s!How long has it been open?’
‘Since the ’90s.’
‘Did you want us to put some flyers on the front counter?’Bernie asks.
