Page 4 of Burning Bridges Duet

“Here we have the latest state-of-the-art equipment and interior, which prioritizes the safety and comfort of our members. We have a high-quality sound system that can connect to your device via Bluetooth, climate control to regulate the heat and humidity, and customizable lighting.”

My eyes widen as I take in the spacious and modern studio. The dance floor is elevated, like a stage, with plenty of room for a large class, and surrounding the dance floor are fixed stools along a pathway. A class is currently in session, with the teacher facing away from us. He’s wearing baggy sweats and a hoodie, making it difficult to judge his appearance, but the moves he’s showing the class are impressive. This place definitely has potential.

Chris notices my excitement and grins. “I’m glad you like it. Let me show you the class timetable.”

She leads me to the schedule hanging on the door of the studio, and I quickly snap a picture of it with my phone. As I glance over the schedule, I realize that most of the classes are offered during times when I’m occupied with studying or lectures, making it perfect for me.

“I’m hooked,” I tell Chris.

“Great!” she happily responds. “Let’s get you signed up for a membership.” Together, we make our way back to the reception area.

I’m currently sitting in Chase’s office, trying to avoid another lecture from Riv and Jaxon about taking my job at Tanner Fitness more seriously. I’m not into sports or working out, but I do come here at least three times a week to lift weights. I’m just vain like that. I don’t enjoy teaching others like River does, but he’s the reason why I can’t slack off too much with my workouts. I don’t want to be called the less attractive twin because I can’t keep up with Riv’s six-pack. I know I should do more to help Jaxon, but with so many employees, I’d just be a distraction anyway…or that’s what I tell myself.

While I’m sitting there, trying to occupy myself with thoughts of sheet music, I hear Chris’ voice coming from the front desk. I ignore her, assuming she can handle whatever it is on her own, until I hear someone asking about the dance studio. My curiosity gets the better of me, and I peek around the corner. Lo and behold, it’s the stunning girl from the café yesterday, talking about dance classes and a membership.

“Of course, I’m Chris by the way,” I hear Chris say.

“Liv,” she answers.

I need to tell River.

My heart racing with excitement, I wait until Chris shows her the way to the studio before practically running to find him. He’s helping an old lady use a weight machine, so I whisper yell to get his attention.

“River! It’s important,” I say.

He looks at me with a raised brow, asking, “What is?”

“She’s here, and she wants to get a membership,” I reply. It doesn’t surprise me that he doesn’t even need to ask who I’m talking about.

“Now? She’s here now?” he asks, clearly just as excited as I am. “Who’s getting her signed up?”

“Chris is showing her around right now,” I reply. “I don’t think Chase is done with the class yet, and I have no idea where Jaxon is, but I know her name. It’s Liv.”

“Liv,” he repeats as if trying it out. “Okay, but let’s just stay here and not let her see us until she’s signed up. I don’t want her to think we’re stalking her or some shit like that,” River suggests. I think that’s ridiculous, but I stay with him.

After all, why take any chances?

After I finish up helping with a boxing session, I make my way over to the front desk to get to my office, which is located behind the reception area. As I walk by the weightlifting area, I spot the twins showing Mrs. Peters how to use the chest press machine. I have no clue why both of them are needed for that, but at least Ryder is doing something other than hiding in one of the offices. I stop at the reception desk since the mail just came in and rifle through it.

Just as I’m finishing up, ready to get back to my office to read the more important letters, Chris comes back to the desk with a customer. I’m fixated on the letter I’m reading and only see them in my peripheral view.

“This is Jaxon Tanner, owner of Tanner Fitness,” Chris says to the seemingly potential new member. I look up with my customer service face in place, smiling politely, but as soon as my eyes meet her olive green ones, the breath is knocked out of my lungs. This girl is stunning, and I don’t say that lightly.

She smiles at me. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you ‘Jaxon Tanner, owner of Tanner Fitness.’” She laughs. “I must say I’m a bit surprised. I read in the reviews that you’re a retired MMA fighter. Somehow, I imagined you more of the granddaddy type, not the daddy one,” she says, making me choke on air.

Did she just call me daddy?

“Girl, you’re hilarious,” Chris says, laughing hard, but the brunette, who I still haven’t gotten a name for, is turning bright red.

“I didn’t mean… I just meant…” she stutters, averting her eyes.

“It’s okay,” I say, chuckling. “I’m happy I don’t look like a granddaddy just yet. What can I help you with, miss…?”

“Liv,” Chris chimes in. “Her name is Liv, and she’d like to get a membership.”

No, she would not like to get a membership anymore. She wants to disappear into the ground, get a new name, and leave the country. Again.

I feel the urge to face-palm. I knew my social skills were rusty, but talking to Chris felt so easy, I lost all my anxiety about talking to strangers while we chatted. I just didn’t think of how it would come across, but now Mr. Jaxon Tanner, owner of Tanner Fitness, is probably thinking that I just called him daddy. Which I did. Duh.