This weekend has been perfect.
Chapter twenty-four
Tom
I’m getting old, sore in places I didn’t even know I could get sore.
It’s not just my back, the ache stretches all the way to my stomach.
My arms feel like rubber, walking is a punishment, and don’t even get me started on the stabbing pain in my ass cheeks. Which, by the way, didn’t get the action they deserved.
Maybe that’s the problem. It wasn’t theusualaction.
I’m slouched against the sun-warmed bricks outside Yosh’s studio, letting the heat soothe my lower back. I saw him swimming from Playa Arcadia to Playa Tortuga while I was having breakfast on the terrace. That was about half an hour ago and he hasn’t returned yet.
He’s never late, but maybe that’s on me. I got here fifteen minutes early, just in case he was already here. Ridiculous, I know. but I couldn’t help it.
I got up after dawn and stumbled to the fruit market in town to get him a guava. Apparently, it's loaded with protein. It’s the island equivalent of bringing roses since resources are limited out here.
Back in Europe, I would have kidnapped him to Paris for a weekend full of exploring. Yes, the city too.
But I guess that’s not really his style, He doesn’t care for grand gestures. He finds joy in the small things of life, like this piece of tropical fruit.
Samira walks by and greets me. I squint behind my sunglasses, raising an arm in slow motion. Everything hurts.
I watch her head toward the front desk. Looks like that’s her shift today.
Then she stops and turns. So does the breakfast chef.
Everyone turns, so I do the same.
And yeah. Now I get why.
Yosh has entered the courtyard, shoulders still wet, towel roughing up his hair. The sun shines on his face in a way that makes me want to be that light. Everyone stares. I stare harder.
When he spots me, his face breaks into a smile, and I find myself mirroring it.
Just like that, time unfreezes and everyone goes back to minding their own business.
I tap my watch dramatically. “I expect my therapist to be on time. Let’s not make this a habit,” I tease in a whining old lady voice.
The towel flies straight into my face.
“Shut up, McKenna. I woke up in the middle of the night and reorganised the infirmary’s supplies. Then I worked out, went for a swim, and stretched on the beach.”
“Wow. I’m fucking exhausted after yesterday and you’re still buzzing. How do you do that?” I circle him while he unlocks the door to his studio.
He shrugs and we step inside. “Take a seat, I’ll take a quick shower.”
He disappears into what I assume are his quarters. Meanwhile I sink onto his lime-green couch.
Seriously, what’s with the lime green obsession? The couch is one thing, but owning a lime-green car? That’s no coincidence. Maybe I should keep an eye out for lime-green lace for my next move.
I place the guava on the coffee table next to an open book. I flip it shut to check the cover;Trigger Points, complete with an image of the human muscular system.
One look is all it takes for me to push it away. This stuff’s way over my head.
Yosh specializes in things I didn’t even know existed. Then again, he’s always studying, collecting certificates like they’re cereal box prizes.
