man with the soft belly to match. I took after Mom’s petite size, though the rest of me seems to have taken after his side.
Caleb speaks close by my ear, sending an involuntary shiver through me. “Sounds like you’re getting fired soon. Better get on the job search.”
“He just wants me to use my degree,” I whisper and then face front, suddenly aware of how close we’re standing. He smells woodsy and something distinctly him. My body flushes with heat, both lust and embarrassment. I probably smell like motor oil.
I quickly tap through the schedule. “How’s Saturday morning?”
“Actually, I work Saturday mornings at my brother’s dojo. You remember Drew? He runs Robinson Martial Arts Academy.”
“Sure, I didn’t know you worked there too.”
“Yeah, part time between modeling gigs. Saturday mornings are jam packed with kids’ classes.”
“So you’re an instructor?”
“Sure am. I’m a blackbelt.” He gives me a once over. “We offer beginner adult classes. You should stop by on Wednesday night. First lesson is free.”
I glance around the shop, flustered by the invitation. Dad steps through to the restroom in back. Max mouths hi-ya! and does a little karate chop. I turn back to Caleb, whose eyes narrow at Max. Guess he saw that. I tell myself to get real. He’s probably just drumming up business for his brother’s karate school.
“Uh, no, thanks,” I say. “I’m not into martial arts. How’s Thursday at one for inspection?”
“Sure, Thursday works. It’s always good to learn self-defense, especially for someone your size.”
I give him serious side eye. I’m well aware I’m five feet one with small muscles, but he didn’t have to bring it up. I fill out an appointment card and hand it to him. “There you go.”
“Thanks. So who do you hang with locally?”
I look up at him. Weird question. Guess he figured out I was alone on Saturday night since I left without telling anyone goodbye. “I usually hang with Max, but he was busy last Saturday. That’s why I was solo at the bar.” I hitch a thumb toward Max, but he’s hidden under a Honda now.
“You only spend time with Max?”
“Yeah. My two friends from high school moved away.” Unfortunately, my work friends fell out of touch after I quit. I get it. No one wants to commute an hour plus to get together on the regular.
“Is he your boyfriend?” Caleb asks.
I snort-laugh. “No. We’re friends.”
He tilts his head. “Any women friends?”
My back gets up. “I see people all the time.”
“What do you do with these people you see all the time?” he asks gamely.
I throw my hands up. “Stuff. I don’t know.”
“Maybe next time you want to do stuff you can do it with me. How about we get a drink at The Horseman on Thursday night and I’ll introduce you around. It’s ladies’ night.”
I stare at him, puzzled. Is he asking me out or offering to help me get women friends? I’ve never had women friends before, so why would I start now? Women talk in subtle layers of meaning that confuse me and, more importantly, they often think I’m strange. I have nothing in common with other women. They never want to talk cars, racing games, or horror movies. That’s what Max and I have in common. It works.
Wait a minute. This must be a prank. Of course! It finally makes sense why Caleb keeps inviting me to stuff.
I shake my head, smiling. “Did Max put you up to this?”
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