Page 13 of Christmas Eve Do-Over
"Jesus H. Christ. There go the waterworks again..." Bailey mumbled.
"So what did you have in mind?" Sage asked me.
I looked around, making sure Shasta wasn't anywhere near, which was unnecessary, but when formulating a plan to go after the girl that got away twenty-plus years ago and still, life gave you another opportunity, you take no chances.
I lowered my voice to just above a whisper. All heads moved in close, not wanting to miss a thing. "Have you ever heard of a mixed tape?"
* * *
As part of my grand plan I didn't attend the next three days of Jiu Jitsu classes with my group of Jr. Guards. I'd walk them in, turn around, and walk back out, only to show up again when it was time to pick them up and get them back to Headquarters.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and all that, but I was simply assembling the pieces of my plan and didn't want to mess things up by pushing things too far too fast with Shasta. And if I had to wrestle around on the ground with her again, I couldn't be held responsible for my actions. I knew my limitations, and I was looking at the long game here.
On Friday, the last day of the Jr. Guards camp, I came inside with the kids, package in hand. I could feel the weight of Shasta's gaze on me as I got comfortable in the back of the studio, ready to observe. I placed the nicely wrapped package, complete with a bright blue bow, on the chair next to me. Only then did I lift my head and meet her gaze, a casual head nod and a smile my greeting.
The class began, and I watched Brinley and Shasta demonstrate more advanced moves. It was a thing of wonder to observe those two women grapple. They were quick, they were athletic, they were powerful. If I hadn't already wanted Shasta for so many other reasons, I would have fallen in love with her right then, witnessing a middle-aged woman own her strength and her abilities. She wasn't shy with her body even though she wasn't your rail-thin-model type. Her confidence was like a beautiful song, tickling your senses and making you fall for her unique blend of artistry. I could have watched her all day, every day.
Too soon, class was over and it was my big moment.
I waited with bated breath for every student to exit the building, then made my way to the front where Shasta and Brinley were cleaning up. Brinley caught my eye, winked, and walked away to close the office door behind her, giving us privacy.
Shasta turned around and watched me approach. When I was close enough to discern the green ring around the outside of her blue eyes, I brought my hand up between us, offering her the gift.
She did a double take, wariness creeping into the lines on her face. "Is that for me?"
"Of course it's for you. Do you see any other beautiful women I'm interested in around here?"
A slow smile built on her face, my honest compliment working exactly as I'd hoped. She reached out and took the package out of my hand, flipping it over multiple times before looking back up at me.
"Should I open it now?"
"Tonight, when you get home." I leaned in and kissed her cheek, forcing myself to walk away, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself over her shocked expression.
Time to go home, wait for today's plan to execute fully, then get started on day two's plan. I rubbed my hands together. Whether or not this worked out, I was having fun. And I hoped Shasta would have fun too. I was guessing she deserved a bit of that.
