Page 21 of Beauty and the Grease
Jenny
Well, I sure shut down that conversation.
I should have known. I couldn’t convince Chase to follow his dreams when we were twenty-five, so why should now be any different?
Back in my room, I shower and turn on a movie. It’s been ages since I’ve had cable, and yet the same movies that used to run on these channels are still on. A small comfort.
The next morning, a sliver of sunlight nudges my eyes open. I don’t recognize the serene, sparse room. Oh, right. Retreat center. Yoga.Chase.
Memories rush back. The corporate drones, the buffet, the storm. Almost getting taken out by a tree limb. Chase by my side, asking if I’m okay.
Chase looking at me. Chase—
I bolt upright. We almostkissed.What a mistake that would havebeen.
It’s a lot to unpack, mentally. Purely mentally since I don’t have actual bags to unpack or re-pack. Weirdly, it’s freeing.
I don’t know what I was thinking trying to use this bizarre situation as a vacation. It’s time to get back to Derby. Back to my life.
A text appears from my new yoga pal.
Gina:Breakfast! Plenty to share. Come down!
I suppose I could sneak in a quick bite before taking off. I meet her downstairs at a buffet offering cage-free egg whites, whole grain toast, Greek yogurt, and steel-cut oats with pomegranate. This could be the start of a whole new healthy breakfast regimen. Just as soon as I’m done with the cartoon box cereals back home.
“How was your dinner with Chase?” Ameriel, who gave me the yoga clothes, gestures toward an empty seat beside her. I tag her as early thirties, though her brown skin free from any wrinkle or blemish could put her younger.
Gina’s eyes light up. “Yes, how’sChase?”
“Fine.” How much do I give them?
“Fine.” Gina rolls her eyes. “Did you two shack up last night?”
I nearly snort out my orange juice.
“Gina!” Ameriel swats her. “You’re so intrusive.”
“What? He’s a hot, single daddy. Did you hear how he gushed about his kids yesterday?”
Instead of answering, Ameriel stirs Stevia into her herbal tea, looking at me. “You’re just friends with Chase?”
Werewe friends? The easy answer is yes. “Umm…”
“More than friends?” Gina presses.
“It’s not that, it’s just…”
“Just?”
I scan the room. Isn’t there anything else worth talking about? The other guests eat quietly while the view outside offers gray dullness not worth commenting on.
“We used to…be together,” I say finally. “We ran into each other yesterday by accident. His car is at my shop, he needed a ride, and then the storm happened. It’s simply a strange order of events.”
“An ex,” Ameriel coos. “You two are friendly. Were you together long?”
“A few years.” Married two weeks.
“Kids?” Gina asks.
