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LAILA
“What do you guys think about an ocean-inspired wallpaper right here?” I squint towards the wall in the far corner, trying to imagine it. A week ago, it was a mouse graveyard, so anything would be an upgrade on that.
“Still dreaming of St. Barts?” Guilia squeezes my elbow as she joins me in my corner staring. “Must’ve been some trip if you want to permanently commemorate it.”
“My sudden need for beachy wallpaper has nothing to do with St Barts. Although it was an amazing, magical trip.”
“You mean ‘sensual,’” Guilia corrects.
“Toe-curling,” Kira chimes in from my other side.
“Orgasmic.”
“Multi-orgasmic.”
I roll my eyes. “Why did I ask you two for help? I can’t remember anymore.”
“Because we’re amazing.”
“And magical,” Kira adds. “Don’t forget magical.”
“And sometimes multi-orgasmic. Whenever the hubby pops a little purple pill for me.” Before I can shove the two cackling hens out of the front door, Guilia fans her hands out in front of us. “Plus, between the three of us, we can turn this space into the hippest, coolest yoga space in the city.”
“Starting with plants,” Kira declares, clapping her hands.
“Paint colors should come first,” Guilia says.
“Or,” I suggest, grabbing my purse, “we can start with coffee. I’m buying.”
They shout their orders at me, and I leave them behind to walk to the coffee shop right next door. It’s a cozy little space with only four tables and a couple of stools, but the display counter is absolutely filled to the brim with the most gorgeous cakes and pastries. If the coffee is as good as the pastries look, I’m living the dream.
The woman behind the register has bronze hair in tight ringlets and a nose piercing. She waves as I walk in. “Hi, gorgeous. What can I get you?”
I rattle off the orders and add a couple of pastries to the list. “Is there a possibility of setting up a tab here?” I wonder. “I’m renting the space next door and?—”
“You’rethe new tenant?” She sticks her hand over the counter for me to shake. “Welcome, neighbor! I’m Carrie.”
“Laila.”
“Pleasure. It’s so nice to see another woman-owned business enter the strip.” She glances to her left. “I mean, the boys arenice, but I’m all about championing female entrepreneurship. What’s your business?”
“I’m opening a yoga studio. The goal is an opening date sometime in September, but…”
“Who the hell knows?” She laughs. “I totally get it. I’ve always been interested in yoga. It’s just, I have this bum leg.” She walks out from behind her counter and lifts the leg of her baggy khaki trousers to reveal a prosthetic. “Sorry about the nasty scars. I served two tours in Afghanistan.”
“I’d show youmyscars, but that would require partial nudity, and I’m not sure that’d be good for business.”
Carrie raises her eyebrows. “You served?—”
“Oh, God, no!” I rush to correct her. “I was in a car accident when I was young and it left me with a bad hip and chronic pain. Yoga really helped. I think it might help you, too.”
Carrie purses her lips. “I don’t know…”
“I’ve actually been thinking about having an accessible yoga class every week for people with disabilities.” The idea came to me a week ago, and I’m still so excited about it that I can’t stop myself from roping this almost perfect stranger into my schemes. “Your input could be super helpful in getting the class started. I’ll even give you the girl boss discount rate.”
Carrie laughs. “Well, how can I say no to that? I have a couple of other military buddies I can bring along for the ride.”
I have to bite my tongue to stop from squealing like a little girl.
