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“Of course not,” Lydia assured her. Ashley and Kurt had met in undergrad and dated through law school. When they’d graduated, Ashley was ready to settle down, but Kurt had wanted them both to climb the career ladder, to get established.
Ashley huffed, the sound not quite a laugh. “I always thought I wanted this big, extravagant white wedding. But now it can literally rain for all I care. I just want to get us down that aisle.”
“I think rain’s supposed to be good luck.” Ashley glared at her. “Look, most brides wish their fiancés took more of an interest in this sort of stuff. If Kurt wants to be a part of it, then let him. It’s less stuff you and I have to worry about in the end.”
“Remind me why I made you my maid of honor again?”
“Because unfortunately for you, I am your best friend.”
They slowed at Fitness Forum, a boutique gym where people paid an exorbitant amount of money to roll around getting sweaty—but not the fun kind of rolling or sweating. She followed Ashley inside, loitering at the lockers.
“You want to come to class? I can get you a guest pass for the morning.”
Lydia shook her head. “No thanks. I’ve already done my cardio.”
Ashley made a face. “Please don’t launch into your sexcapades.”
“I was talking about walking back from NoMad, thank you very much.” She waggled her brows. “But my stories might be more fun than being stretched and contorted like spaghetti.”
“That is not what happens in yoga.”
“Cobra pose. Tree pose. Triangle pose. Half-seated spinal twist. Shall I continue?”
“You are so annoying,” Ashley said without any real bite. “Come on. Stay. Have this transcendent experience with me.”
“Yuck.” Lydia checked her phone. “The only thing I’d be transcending in there is the natural curvature of my spine. I have to go shower and change before work.”
“Fine. I’ll call you later.”
“Have fun transcending.” Rolling her eyes at the pouty look on Ashley’s face, Lydia turned. But instead of stepping toward the door, she walked straight into a man built like a brick wall. She sloshed her latte, thankfully just on her own shoes and not on the man—the employee—who had just walked through the door.
Lydia traced the hard lines before her. His jaw was as defined as the pectorals she’d just assessed with her face. It was unfair, really, to be that perfect. And as someone who traded in lines and curves and arches for her day job, she could appreciate perfection. She was almost tempted to reach out and touch. Then she remembered herself, stopped ogling that space where bicep met tricep, and choked out an apology instead. “I amsosorry.”
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“You took my breath away for a second,” she said, only hearing the words after they’d already left her mouth. “I mean the collision. Hitting you. Not because you’re—” Lydia gestured at him vaguely. “It’s not that you’re not very... I mean, you are. But that’s not what I—” Lydia snapped her mouth closed. For the first time since their collision, Lydia noticed the name tag pinned to the stranger’s fitted black shirt:Luke.
“You know what?” he said, adjusting the backpack on his shoulder. “You’re not the first woman to tell me that. It’s been a while though, so it’s nice to hear I’ve still got it.”
He was clearly joking but Lydia’s cheeks burned.
“Luke!” someone called from the front desk. “You’ve got a call on hold.”
Luke glanced to the front desk then back to Lydia. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
“Yep,” she squeaked. “I’m just great.”
“It’s First Union Bank!” they called again.
Luke hurried off to take his phone call.
“What on earth did I just witness?” Ashley asked as soon as he was out of earshot. When Lydia turned around, her sister was grinning from ear to ear.
“You really just stood there and let that happen?”
“I was too shocked to interrupt. It just kept getting worse.” Ashley pitched her voice, doing a poor imitation. “You took my breath away because you’re just so big and strong...”
“Oh my God,”Lydia said, mortified as she bolted out the door, shutting it on Ashley’s teasing.
