Just One Night Together by Deborah Cooke

Fourteen

Nate plannedhis day at F5F with the precision of an invasion.

This was his best foreseeable chance to meet women and he was going to make it count.

He reasoned that women of his age would have jobs, so he chose a Saturday.

He thought about going when Damon was back from Boston, but couldn’t wait that long. He’d go in alone and it would be fine.

He pored over the class descriptions posted on the F5F website, seeking the ones most likely to have women enrolled. Pilates. Zumba. Spin. Aquafit. Yoga in all its variations: hatha, ashtanga, moksha, anusara, kundalini, bikram, and more. Maybe beginner would be better for him. He was drawn to the lap swim and the rock climbing wall, but figured it would be hard to talk to women in either. He was sure the weight rooms would be so well equipped that he’d think he’d died and gone to heaven, but they were divided by gender at F5F. He debated the merit of running the track. He studied the schedule of classes on the app, determined to make the most of every moment at the club.

It hadn’t been easy to get a Saturday off at the store, but his uncle finally relented.

Nate was still adjusting his plan for the day as he rode the subway downtown. He was wearing the prosthesis that people found less troubling, the one that looked like the hand of a window mannequin. He didn’t find it as useful as would be ideal, so he’d packed the one he called The Hook. He’d need it if he wanted to do any serious work-out, but Nate knew from experience that it terrified women.

Trish hadn’t been able to run fast enough.

Cassie was teaching the first yoga class that Nate took and she greeted him warmly.

“First time?” asked the cute little redhead beside him.

“Yes. I thought it would be good for me.”

“It is great though seems impossible at first. Don’t get discouraged,” she said and gave him a smile of encouragement. That worked for Nate in a big way.

When Cassie realized it was his first time, she invited him up to the front to help him with his poses. Nate had the undivided attention of twenty-five women, but it would have been better if he’d aced even one pose.

“A big hand of applause for my teaching assistant,” Cassie said at the end of the class and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“You were great,” the little redhead said as they were leaving the class. “It’ll be easier next time.”

“Thanks!” Nate said, but she was hurrying away. She waved at him, then ducked into the women’s change room.

“Melanie swims laps next,” someone said and Nate turned to find Kyle beside him. The other man grinned. “They all have their routines.”

“Maybe I need to swim some laps,” Nate said but Kyle stepped into his path.

“I know that look,” he said, his voice a low murmur and his gaze steady.

“What look?”

“Women,” Kyle said, then made a purring sound beneath his breath. He watched two women go into the yoga room and Nate did the same. They sighed simultaneously in admiration and the women giggled.

“Women,” Nate agreed, knowing that he’d found a kindred spirit. “I don’t meet a lot of them at work.”

“What do you do?”

“I help out in my uncle’s hunting goods store.” He raised a hand. “It’s a good job. Pays well enough. Lots of hours.”

“But no eye candy.”

Nate shook his head.

Kyle nodded in sympathy. “So, you want to make your day here count in a big way.”

“Well, that was the plan.”

“You really want to be the clown in the yoga class who doesn’t have the moves?”

“It’s better than pity.”

Kyle nodded, then indicated Nate’s prosthesis. “How strong is that thing?”

“It’s not. I need The Hook to really get stuff done.”

Kyle lifted a brow. “Does it look the way I think it does?”

Nate sighed and nodded. “Sent my fiancé running for the hills.”

“Well, you didn’t need her, then,” Kyle said, his tone dismissive. “Look. I’m thinking about the rock climbing wall.”

“So am I!” Nate admitted. “It looks awesome.”

“Could you do it?”

“Of course.” He winced. “With The Hook.”

Kyle nodded, some decision made. “Okay. I’ll race you to the top. Meet me there at 10:45. We’ll get rigged up and race at 11.”

“But I’ll need The Hook.”

Kyle looked at his watch. “Does it take you longer than that to gear up?”

“No, but...”

Kyle leaned closer. “Sort the wheat from the chaff in one go, Nate. The women who matter will be more interested that you kicked my ass than that you did it with The Hook.”

Nate smiled. “All right. You’re on. Get ready to lose.”

* * *

Nate didn’t expectan audience but they had one. By the time he walked to the base of the wall, there was a crowd gathered to watch. Kyle was beckoning to more members as they passed and Nate realized he’d been telling everyone about their challenge.

He had The Hook locked on and he thought it looked pretty boss. Nate knew that opinion wasn’t universal, though.

The guy supervising the wall got them both rigged up, and showed Nate how each handhold had a little depression in it. His name was Thom and he was really built. There was a black woman dressed in pink with a camera and another woman with short dark hair taking a zillion pictures.

So, there would be evidence. He was good with that.

Nate was glad that The Hook had a textured grip on the inside. He stood at the bottom and looked up the wall, amazed to find such a tall one in the city.

“Okay?” Kyle asked in an undertone.

“Your ass is going to get kicked so bad,” Nate said and Kyle laughed.

He turned to the crowd. “Did you hear that? Nate thinks he’s going to beat me!” There was laughter and cheering. “Choose your climber: Kyle or Nate.” People started to chant names, most of them chanting for Kyle. Nate heard a few people saying his name and glanced over his shoulder.

The cute redhead was in front. She gave him a thumbs-up.

She must not have noticed The Hook.

Nate turned his attention to the wall, choosing his course even before they started. Thom did a countdown, then blew a whistle, and they were off.

He took to the wall like a spider, almost catapulting up the height of it. He knew his next three moves at any point in time, but was surprised that Kyle fell behind. He heard Kyle swear and knew that the partner had no intention of losing. This wasn’t about pity. It was a clean fight, and Nate was going to win it.

He surged up the wall. His grip slipped but he caught himself and kept from falling, although the harness wouldn’t have let him drop. Kyle gained a bit on him in that precious moment. They were halfway up the wall, with Nate only slightly ahead. At two-thirds of the way up, he pulled into a clear lead. He heard a cheer from below and his name being chanted.

He lunged for the top of the wall, moving faster than he could have believed possible and seized the lip at the top. He pulled himself up and gave a roar without thinking about it. “Oooo-rah!”

The crowd below took up the cry.

Kyle pulled himself up to the summit beside Nate, his breath coming quickly and his hair damp. “Damn, you’re fast,” he said.

“What took you so long?” Nate asked with a grin.

They laughed together and called to their belayers, then rappelled down the wall, Nate going first. Thom supervising the wall gave him a high five, not flinching one bit from The Hook. The redhead was applauding, her eyes shining. “Are you a Marine?” she asked, her approval of that more than clear.

“Was. I’m retired from active service.”

She didn’t even look at his hand, but offered her own. “I’m Melanie.”

“Nate.”

She shook his prosthesis as if it was no big deal, but her next words pretty much eliminated his optimism. “Have you ever heard of the Human Library?”

Nate shook his head.

“It’s a program in which people are the resources shared. It’s designed to overcome prejudices and assumptions. I teach grade six at a school in New Jersey and we try to have a human library day every couple of months. The idea is that someone comes and answers questions about whatever makes them different. It’s great for the kids. They move around and talk to each person.”

Nate lifted The Hook. “You want me to talk about living with this?” He really didn’t want to be in a freak show. He felt like he lived in one every day of his life.

But she was cute.

“No! I want you to come and talk about being a Marine,” Melanie said, her gaze locking with his. “What made you choose to enlist? What was it like? What was the best part? I think it would be great.”

“Sure,” Nate said, reassured. “I could do that.” She pulled out her phone to exchange numbers with him and Cassie appeared at Nate’s side.

“I’m so glad you beat Kyle,” she said. “It’s good for him to be humbled once in a while.”

“Maybe he let me win.”

Cassie laughed. “No. You are fast, and awesome.”

“Spider-Man,” Melanie agreed.

Nate guessed that all his commando training was good for something.

“Hi, I’m Meesha,” the woman in pink said with a bright smile. She offered her hand and also shook The Hook.

“Social media goddess for F5F,” Cassie whispered and Nate nodded understanding.

“Do you mind if we use some images of you in our social media?” Meesha asked “People were really into this and I’d love to share that.”

“Sure.”

She gestured to the dark-haired woman with the other camera. “Shannyn has a bunch of shots, too. You can pick and choose what you want us to show.”

“Do whatever you want,” Nate said. “I’m good with it.”

Meesha’s smile flashed. “Get ready to be famous,” she said, offering him a fist-bump. “You are going to get so shipped.”

Nate looked at Melanie who smiled and nodded. “Oh yeah,” she said, giving him an appreciative survey and blushing a bit.

It was official. He was in heaven.

“Can we talk about you posing for an F5F ad for our new discount for military service people?” Cassie asked.

“Me? Twenty stories high?”

“Absolutely,” Cassie said. “Scaling that wall, looking cocky as hell.”

“Yes!” Melanie agreed with a smile just for Nate.

“Sure,” he said. “I’d be glad to.”

“Don’t do it for free,” Kyle advised him in an undertone. “Make her give you a lifetime membership instead.”

“Done,” Cassie said.

“Good, because my yoga poses need some serious work,” Nate said, feeling as if his luck had turned in a serious way.

“I’ve got some time before my next class,” Melanie said. “If you want some help.”

“Thanks!” Nate had hoped this day at F5F might change things up, but he hadn’t expected it to change everything. He owed Damon a big thanks—but then, Perez had always looked out for the team.

* * *

Haley was goingto the airport with her sister on Sunday morning when she noticed that the billboard for F5F was being replaced.

Tiff had arrived at Haley’s apartment the previous Wednesday like a hurricane hitting the beach. Within five minutes of her stepping through the door, every horizontal surface had been covered with her stuff. Haley had hidden her frustration, knowing that her sister wouldn’t stay long, but Ninja had no tolerance of the invasion. He’d swatted at Tiff’s things, sending them crashing to the floor and making space for himself on the counter, table and window sill.

The two of them had been at war for the entire visit.

On the upside, Ninja had taken to curling up against Haley as she slept, watching over her all night long. Tiff said she should have called the cat Sauron, but Haley didn’t think Ninja was evil at all.

It had been a long four days, but Tiff had her dress—scored at a pop-up sale for a ridiculous price—and the early triumph had meant the sisters had time to be tourists in New York. They’d also visited the memorial together.

“So what about the guy who did the drawing?” Tiff asked again as Haley peered out the window at the billboard. “Is he the guy who isn’t a guy or not?

The image of Damon had been removed, and there was a couple in this one. The guy was looking out, his gaze smoldering, and he held a woman close. She looked almost orgasmic, and was in the act of touching her lips to his chest. They wore wedding rings and both were remarkably fit.

Get lucky at F5F.

It was a great sexy shot, but Haley already missed the one of Damon. “What guy who isn’t a guy?”

“The one Brad told me to look for.” Tiffany gave Haley an intent look. “The one who might convince you to stay in New York.”

“He didn’t. I took the job.”

Tiffany shook her head. “Trust you to choose work over love.”

“Who says I did?”

“That drawing. The guy who did that is crazy about the subject. That’s you, in case you forgot.”

Haley felt flustered. “I don’t think so. He’s not interested in commitment...”

“Are you?”

Haley wasn’t sure what to say.

Tiffany winced. “It’s not Garrett, is it? Because it would be seventeen kinds of wrong if you ended up with him after what he did to you.”

“It’s not Garrett.”

“Good! Don’t let Mom tell you otherwise.” They rode in silence for a moment. “Was it your cat that scared him off?”

“Well, Ninja doesn’t like visitors.”

“Ninja. You really should call him Sauron. I could see that one eye glowing in the darkness all night long, every night.”

“I didn’t think you were awake much.”

“Every time I was, he was watching me.” Tiffany shuddered. “I don’t know what you see in that beast.”

“I like him. We share a fondness for fish.”

Tiffany laughed, then poked Haley. “And what’s the mermaid about?”

“You have a lot of questions this morning.”

“And you have a ton of secrets. I never thought you were nearly this interesting. Haley Slater with a tattoo.” Tiffany shook her head, smiling.

“You got me drunk and took advantage of me.”

“I didn’t even know it was possible to get you drunk.” Tiff sighed. “Although you did get a bit morose, sis.”

“Sorry.”

“And the mermaid?”

“It’s kind of a private joke. A reminder.”

“Uh huh.” They were entering the airport and Haley thought the interrogation might be over. “So, did you tell him?”

“Tell him what?”

“That you love him.”

“I can’t do that. It wouldn’t be fair.”

“Because he doesn’t want a commitment.”

“Because...well, because. It’s complicated.”

“It always is when it matters.” The cab stopped at the curb and Tiffany paid the fare over Haley’s protests. She didn’t get out of the cab, though. “So, tell him,” she said.

“Tell who what?” Haley asked, although she knew.

Tiffany lifted her brows.

“You’re going to miss your flight.”

“Then you’d better call him soon. There’s no telling what that cat will do if I show up again.” Tiffany smiled, her manner expectant.

“There’s no reason to call him,” Haley said, because it was true. Her period had started the day before. She didn’t have an excuse to call Damon and she didn’t want to make any kind of confession over the phone.

“Then I will miss my flight. Huh. Well, we can share the bed for another night.”

Haley glared at her sister, who smiled back. “You’re being pushy.”

“I’m reminding you of what you already know. Dad told me once that you can stand and watch the parade go by or you can join in and march with the others.” Tiffany’s gaze was steady. “Thanks to Garrett, you’ve been watching the parade for too long.”

Haley frowned as she watched the people on the sidewalk. “Aren’t you afraid? Don’t you worry sometimes that Stefan won’t come home?”

“Like Dad didn’t?” Tiff gave Haley a hard look. “Like Garrett didn’t?”

“He came back.”

“Just married to somebody else. That wasn’t the plan.” Tiff stared down at her hands and Haley knew she was composing her thoughts. “I do think about it. I mean, I see life’s surprises every time I work a shift. But here’s the thing: I want every single moment with Stefan that I can have, regardless of what the future holds.”

Haley understood that.

Tiff bumped her shoulder. “Maybe the guy who isn’t a guy doesn’t want a commitment, but let him decide with all the information. Join the parade, Haley. Dad would want you to.”

Haley dug in her purse for her phone and took a deep breath before she called Damon’s number.

“On speed dial even,” Tiffany murmured with an angelic expression.

“Shut up.” The call went immediately to voice mail, and Haley thought that was probably a good thing. She closed her eyes, enjoying the sound of Damon’s voice, even in a recording. “Hey, it’s Haley,” she said when it was time to leave a message. She hated how breathless she sounded. “Thanks for the drawing. And, um, I just wanted to tell you that um, I got a tattoo. Of a mermaid. Because maybe you’re right and you have to believe to find one.” She swallowed. “And I love you. If you change your mind about possibilities and promises, please give me a call.” She ended the call and looked at Tiffany, her mouth dry. “Happy?”

“My heart is all a-flutter. Really, Haley, you didn’t exactly exude warmth.”

“Well, I had no time to prepare!”

“Maybe you’ll get better with practice,” Tiffany said, her smile mischievous. “Love you, sis.” She gave Haley a hug and a kiss. “See you in a couple of weeks—unless he takes you up on that offer.”

And then she was gone, turning to wave before she strode into the terminal. Haley saw her breaking into a run, as if she’d just realized she was late.

It would serve Tiffany right to miss her flight.

Haley thought about the billboard as the cab drove back to Queens. She held her phone tightly but it didn’t ring.

Get lucky at F5F.

The rings were the big difference. Those two were together for the duration.

Her time with Damon, however, had been just a temporary thing.

He wasn’t going to call her back. He kept his word.

But he’d encouraged her to take a chance and start over again. Maybe that was the important thing.

Haley wasn’t convinced, but she told herself to get used to it.

Damon was part of her past.

Funny how having her career as the focus of her life, even with her dream job, didn’t feel that ideal any more.