Page 29 of Finding You
“Thanks,” I replied. I wasn’t used to getting complimented on my physical prowess. “I can’t wait to come back.” She patted me on the back so hard it would probably leave a bruise and moved on to the other students.
This class was better than therapy. Not that I had given therapy much of an effort. Almost all my colleagues were in therapy—lawyers tended to be miserable people—but it was almost impossible to make time for. I regarded therapy as a luxury like yoga or baths that someone as busy and productive as myself couldn’t possibly make time for.
It was a shame because my therapist, Dr. Martha, was actually pretty amazing. In our few sessions she managed to teach me that my billable hours did not measure my worth as a person. She pushed me to try and define my personal values and encouraged me to find validation and self-esteem beyond what I was able to accomplish professionally. Looking back, I really wished I had kept going.
Nora caught me on the way out, pulling me out of my own head. “I can’t believe Yael said that to you! She served in the IDF for ten years. She probably knows how to kill a man with a rubber band and a glue stick.”
I was flushed from the workout and the praise. “I am kind of in love with her.” Yael was in her early forties and looked like a cross between Jillian Michaels and Gal Gadot. She was effortlessly terrifying, and I wanted to learn all her secrets.
“Me too. She is my dream woman. Too bad she’s married. But seriously, that is the highest compliment from her.”
“I want to be her when I grow up.”
“Take a number, lady. I’ve been obsessed with her for months. She moved here a few years ago. She’s married to Rose Thompson, who grew up here. They have a couple of kids and live on the Thompson Farm. She’s been a trainer here for a while but only recently opened this studio. I love her classes. She gives you an incredible workout and pumps you up to go out into the world and kick ass.”
“Yes! It’s empowerment with a side of cardio,” I said, zipping up my coat.
“I want to fuck up this day.”
“Me too. Let’s kick Wednesday’s ass.”
Nora smiled at me. “I knew I liked you. Wanna grab some coffee?”
“Hell yeah, I do.”
Nora led me to an adorable little place called High Tide. It was definitely different than the Starbucks on the first floor of my building, where I primarily procured my caffeine. It was kitschy and fun and a bit disjointed. Concert posters warred with floral wallpaper, and it was filled to the brim with mismatched tables and chairs.
I read through the chalkboard menu while Nora chatted with the tattooed, purple-haired proprietress. This place was awesome. Classical music played while people worked on laptops and moms chatted while bouncing their babies.
“You need to try a scone. They are incredible,” Nora said, placing her order.
“Ooh. Can I have a blueberry?”
The punk barista handed me one on a delicate china plate. “They are also award winning. First scone’s on us. Are you new in town?”
I was taken aback a bit. I wasn’t used to this kind of small-town hospitality. Nora patted my hand. “Say thank you to the nice lady, Astrid,” she whispered, as if I were a child.
“Wow. Thanks.” I tried to give her my most genuine smile. “I am new. I am visiting for a while. My aunt owns a cottage up on the north side of town, and I am staying there for a bit.”
“Oh, you’re Connie’s niece! I have heard so much about you. Welcome. I’m Leah.”
She gestured for me to sit down. Nora and I headed to a small table.
I bit into the scone. It was pure heaven. “I haven’t had a scone like this since I was in London.”
Nora smiled. “Told ya. These scones are famous in Havenport.”
In that moment, sitting in the coffee shop with my new friend, enjoying caffeine and delicious baked goods and still on an endorphin high from the most fun workout of my life, I was happy. Just full-on happy. It was a good day. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt like this— light and giddy and ready to face the world. Most of the time I felt like I was dragging around an invisible weight with me.
“Has Emily been to Krav class yet? She needs to try it.”
“No, not yet. I keep nagging her. Let’s both work on her. So do you want to go back?”
“Yup. I’ll be there tomorrow. I don’t have much going on, and this is the best I’ve felt in years.”
“So what’s going on with you and Declan? I heard you stared down Jackie at the diner last weekend.” She gave me a pointed look.
Wow. News traveled fast in this town. I studied my scone. I didn’t want my face to give anything away. Nora was sharp, nosy, and missed nothing. And for some reason, my usual stoicism escaped me around her. There was something so genuine, so disarming about Nora that I couldn’t help but spill my secrets.
