Chapter Fourteen - Samantha

When Cheryl mentioned Lucas was at the center and that he’d gone to the all-ages yoga session, I wasn’t sure what I’d be walking into. I couldn’t imagine what he was here for.

I didn’t think I’d find him on a mat, clumsily trying to follow Marc’s lead through all of the different positions. He’s wobbling through all of his holds, and he doesn’t look at all comfortable in any of the more complicated positions. He’s clearly actually trying, though. I can tell by his face that he’s concentrating hard on following everything all the way through.

It’s unexpected – no, it’s almost charming. I can’t help the smile that’s creeping across my face watching him. I’m feeling myself soften towards him with every position he doesn’t hit quite right. I imagine that had been the idea. Not the being bad at it, probably, but the being here and taking the class. It’s a surprisingly sweet gesture, and I wouldn’t have thought Lucas was a sweet-gesture sort of guy.

I guess I was wrong.

After class ends, I give Lucas a wave and walk into the room to talk to him. Marc gives me a puzzled look as Lucas and I step off to the side to talk. I’m sure this will be a source of gossip around the center for the rest of the day, but if he’s going to reach out like this, then I should at least thank him for the gesture.

“Was that your first yoga class?” I ask Lucas, raising an eyebrow. He smiles at me – maybe the most genuine smile I’ve ever seen from him. It makes him look even more attractive than normal.

“Could you tell?” Lucas says with a sheepish look.

“A little,” I say, grinning back. “How’d you like it?”

“It’s a lot different than how I normally work out, that’s for sure,” Lucas says, laughing.

“I’m sure it is,” I say. “What’s your normal routine?”

“I’m a big runner: I like to use the treadmill in the morning and jog in the evenings. I lift weights at least three times week, and I like to challenge myself with other cardio throughout the week. What about you?” Lucas says. I’m a little surprised he’s answered me so directly and matter-of-factly. There is something about it that I like, that makes me smile again.

“I love running, too,” I say. “I jog when I can. Mostly, though, I work out here. I teach classes or sometimes step into them, or I use the studio space for private workouts early in the morning or after we’re done for the day.”

“Running is great,” Lucas says, nodding. “It really clears my head.”

“It’s great stress relief,” I agree. “So, what made you change your routine up today?”

“I wanted to apologize,” Lucas says. “I said some things that were really out of line the other day. I thought taking a class from you would be a good start to us not yelling at each other.”

“I really appreciate that,” I say, “and I was out of line, too. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not irrational of you to be angry about the development and my part in it,” Lucas says, surprising me again. I shake my head. It’s a lot harder to be mad at him now. It’s hard to feel mad when he’s standing in one of my studios, being so honest and genuine with me.

“I agree, but I didn’t need to cross a street to take it out on you because I was having a bad morning,” I say truthfully.

“And I didn’t need to snap at you or put down your center,” Lucas says. “I just get really defensive about my business.”

“I can definitely understand that,” I say.

“I guess that’s something else we have in common,” Lucas says, smiling.

“That and running?” I ask. I think it’s maybe more than that. Lucas and I are both business owners, even if on vastly different scales, and we’re both passionate about fitness. Clearly, we’re also both really stubborn. I’ve been spending so much time thinking about all the ways Lucas and I are nothing alike that I’ve never stopped to consider all the ways we are.

“And wanting to help other people love exercise as much as we do,” Lucas says. “I mean, I assume that’s why you do all this?”

“It is,” I say. “I love feeling like I’m improving people’s lives, making them healthier.”

“I feel the same way,” Lucas says. He takes a long gulp of the water he has with him.

“People are so scared to start working out, and when they realize they love it, that it makes them happier,” I say as Lucas nods rapidly, “that’s the best feeling, knowing that I gave that to someone.”

“Yeah, exactly. That’s it exactly,” Lucas says, then he gives me a long look. “Look, I know you think I’m trying to take over the world with my big business gym, but I really do believe that my gyms provide a real service to people. That my gym model being used by more people is a good thing. Not just for my wallet, but for them. I’m sure that doesn’t mean much since I’m the competition, but I thought you should know.”

“It actually means a lot,” I say truthfully. I’m struck again by how sincere he’s being, how honest. I don’t know what inspired him to be so open with me. I would have guessed he was the kind of man who had a hard time opening up to people. I like that I was apparently mistaken about that. “And maybe you’ve found out for yourself that I’m doing a lot more than having people wave their arms around to New Age music over here.”

“Now that I’ve experienced it firsthand, I’m definitely rethinking that,” Lucas says, laughing and wiping his brow. “Man, are all your classes that intense?”

“No,” I say, smiling. “That was actually a pretty basic-level class. Most of them are more intense.”

Lucas shakes his head again. It looks like he might be shaking it at himself. “I guess I’ve got a lot to learn then,” he says.

I grin again. Lucas being able to laugh at himself like this, to not have to be the very best at everything else, is something else that is catching me off guard. I’d have guessed he was one of those guys who can’t stand to ever look foolish.

It makes me wonder what else about him I’ve been wrong about.