12 Days Of Forever (3 page)

pull down yoga mats and start their warm-up. Each of my clients has instructions for their one-hour sessions. They stretch and warm-up for fifteen minutes, I work them out for thirty, and they end with a fifteen minute cool down.

I try to busy myself with any menial task I can find while I wait for them to finish, but I find myself watching Harrison’s sister. She’s more flexible than any of my clients.

Her body is toned and the workout outfit she’s wearing is definitely going to catch some attention from the men in the gym. This woman is in shape and takes care of her body. I have a feeling that a few of the women that come in will be jealous. Hell, I am. I’d love to have one of my clients achieve what I’m seeing now.

I push off the counter and make my way over to them. Katelyn smiles as soon as

she sees me, and Harrison’s sister straightens. She’s about average height, not as tall as Harrison. But the word toned doesn’t do her justice. This woman is muscular and defined.

This woman is a serious athlete, and I’m racking my brain trying to remember if Harrison ever said what she does for a living.

“Xander, this is Yvie, Harrison’s sister. Yvie, this is Xander. He owns the gym and is Jimmy’s trainer.”

“Well, I train all of you, don’t I?” I wink at Katelyn and offer my hand to Yvie.

When our hands meet, I hope for that spark, that electricity that everyone talks about when they meet someone they’re attracted to, but it’s not there. And I want it to be. I’ve seen a lot of women in my life, but none more beautiful than her. I don’t know if it’s the way her dark hair contrasts with her emerald eyes or the fact that I can picture her standing next to me at parties and in my kitchen as we make dinner together. I haven’t felt the need to get to know a woman just by standing next to her. Her small hand is dwarfed by my much larger one, and I’m shocked to feel just how dainty she is. “It’s nice to meet you,” I say, as I pull my hand away from hers. I feel as if we lingered in our handshake maybe a little longer than necessary. None of it should mean anything, except that I feel like it does. Do I need a shock or that electrical current? Can’t I just know?

“So, Yvie, what would you like to work on?”

She immediately looks down without making eye contact, which tells me that she

has low self-esteem, and for the life of me I can’t understand why. Yvie mumbles her answer without looking at me.

“I’m sorry, the music is too loud; could you please say it again?”

Yvie looks at Katelyn and sighs. Her eyes barely reach mine when she speaks.

“My ass is too big.”

I do what any self-respecting personal trainer would do: I lean to the side and take a good hard look at her much-too-big ass that doesn’t freaking exist.

“Excuse me, and I don’t mean to be rude, but your ass is fine.” I want to smile,

but I also don’t want to come off as creepy.

Her head shakes slowly. “My producer says it’s too big.”

“Katelyn, go ahead and get started on your ab routine. I want to talk to Yvie for a few more minutes.” I never leave my clients to start their routines without me, but I’m a little confused over Yvie’s confession and need to know where she’s at if I’m going to offer assistance. Hell, I may be jumping the gun here, but Katelyn brought her in as a plus one so that leads me to believe she wants help. I just don’t know how or where I can help her. I signal for Yvie to follow me so Katelyn can get started.

“What do you do for work?” I ask, as I lean against the window. Yvie stands off to the side with her arms crossed over her chest. She doesn’t carry that defiant look, as if she’s in trouble. She’s comes off as if she’s protecting herself from something or someone. I study her more, taking in her high cheekbones and her plump lips. I never looked at her photos in true depth before and now I’m kicking myself.

“I’m a dancer, ballet mostly.” My guess was athlete, but I noticed something

different by the way she walked. I thought it was just me looking for something to sway me from finding her beautiful, but no. She has a reason to walk the way she does, to prance. It’s engrained into her system to always be poised.

“That explains your flexibility, but why are you concerned with your. . . .”

minutes ago I had no issue saying “ass” but in this moment I’m at a loss for the most appropriate word. I don’t want to come off as crass, but then again she does hang out with rockers from time to time.

“Ass, you can say it. You already did over there.”

She’s sassy. I like her more and more already.

“All right, tell me why you aren’t happy with your ass?”

“Like I said, my producer says it’s too big.”

“He’s a moron,” I say before I can catch myself. “I’m sorry that was wrong.” I run my hand over my hair in slight frustration. Why men insist on being like this toward women I’ll never understand.

“It’s fine. I agree, but it’s my job to look my best, and with Christmas in a few days I know I’ll eat my fair share of junk so I don’t want too much of a challenge when I get home.”

“And where’s home?”

“New York City.”

And that’s why I didn’t feel a spark. I already knew she was off limits with her

being Harrison’s sister, and now I know she’s out of my league.

“Well, let’s get started on those glutes of yours.”

Chapter 5–Yvie

Katelyn and I spend the remainder of the day shopping for Christmas presents

while the kids are in school and Harrison is in the studio accomplishing nothing. He spent the majority of the day asking where we were and when we were coming home. He kept telling Katelyn that his baby sister was in town and that she was monopolizing my time.

Spending time with Katelyn doesn’t bother me though. I want to get to know her and feel a bond with her and her girls. They’re important to Harrison, and I take my role as a sister and auntie very seriously.

When we finally pull in, she tells me we have to leave the packages in the trunk

until after the kids go to bed. Katelyn says that the twins are the worst, always sneaking around and trying to look in the closet for gifts. Hearing her say that reminds me of what I was like when I was little. I hated surprises and absolutely hated waiting for Christmas morning. I looked for my presents in every nook and cranny I could find, always

disappointed that I couldn’t find anything. It wasn’t until I was much older that I figured out my mom wasn’t buying presents until Christmas Eve when most things were on sale because that’s when she could afford it. Harrison never looked. I think it was because he knew but never wanted to say anything to ruin my fun.

As soon as we walk into the kitchen, the first thing I notice is how loud the house is. Their house is somewhat old so the walls are thinner and the noise travels. The television is on in the other room, there’s laughter and someone is screaming. Growing up our house was never like this. When Harrison and I came home from school, everything was quiet. We didn’t turn on the TV or rummage through the refrigerator. We sat at the table and did our homework until it got dark. Only then would Harrison turn on a light and start making dinner. It wasn’t until Harrison had a paying gig and after we moved that I figured out how poor we were. I never knew my dad, but Harrison did an amazing job filling in for him. He took on so much adult responsibility to make sure I had a good life growing up.

Quinn, followed by Elle, comes running into the kitchen. They each attach to my

legs, their laughter filling the room. It doesn’t faze Katelyn, and maybe that’s the ‘mom’

part of her life. Our house was so quiet that it was almost like we couldn’t make any noise. Harrison and I never yelled and we didn’t have many toys, so maybe that’s the difference.

Harrison walks in, followed by Peyton. She looks at me, but quickly averts her

eyes. I’m not sure what I have to do, but I want to know her and wish she were as easy going as Elle.

“Get off your aunt,” Harrison snaps and the kids remove themselves immediately.

Quinn has always done what Harrison asks right off, but for Elle to do it as well shocks me. I know it shouldn’t—he’s her dad for all intents and purposes—but the way she lets go without any argument amazes me for some reason.

“They were fine,” I say, hoping to diffuse the situation.

Harrison laughs, catching me off guard and I look at him questioningly. “They

don’t need to treat you like a jungle gym.” I glance a look at Quinn and can tell all he wants to do is spend time with me.

“Why don’t you and Katelyn go out to dinner and a movie? I can watch the kids.”

Katelyn stops what she’s doing and looks at Harrison. Her eyes are so wide you

can tell they haven’t been going out much. Elle and Quinn start jumping up and down, but Peyton doesn’t change her expression. Maybe if she and I can spend some time

together, she’ll relax a bit and trust that I’m not going anywhere. I wish I could tell her that I understand what it’s like to lose your dad, but I don’t remember. I think that’s why she and Harrison have such a bond. They’ve both been there. They both remember what it’s like to have someone ripped away from you.

“Going out would be nice,” Katelyn says, and I have to cover my mouth to hide

my smile. She’s making puppy dog eyes at Harrison while he just stands there. I have no idea what my brother is thinking, but if I were he, I’d be jumping at the chance.

“Seriously, guys, go out and let me hang with my nephew and get to know my

nieces. I think I spotted a couple of movies that I wouldn’t mind watching, and we can make homemade pizzas.”

Both Quinn and Elle start jumping up and down again begging their parents to let

me babysit. Harrison looks at me, and I nod until he breaks out his patented smile.

I start clapping my hands and pull Quinn and Elle into me, only to watch Peyton

disappear around the corner.

“I can drop her off at Liam’s,” Katelyn tells me, as if she’s reading my mind.

I shake my head. “We’ll be fine. Besides, I really want to know her and spending time together is the best way.”

“If she’s an issue, you’ll give us a call?” Harrison asks, and I agree. I won’t call them though. They need this time out so they can be a couple.

It doesn’t take Katelyn long to get ready, and when she comes downstairs Peyton

follows but stops mid-way down and sits on the step. She’s holding onto her football, and I remember Harrison saying it was a gift from her dad; she carries it everywhere, especially when she’s upset or nervous.

“You guys have fun,” I say, as I usher them out the front door. “We’ll be fine, and if there are any problems, I’ll call.” The last part is a lie, but they don’t need to know that.

I shut the door behind them and lock it, mostly to keep Harrison and Katelyn from rushing back and second-guessing their night out.

I turn to the kids and clap my hands. “So, who’s ready to make some pizza?”

Quinn and Elle shout that they’re ready, and I spy Peyton looking away. I can’t force her, but I’m going to try. “Okay, Quinn, take Elle into the kitchen and get the stuff out to make pizza. I want to talk to Peyton a little bit.”

I watch until they disappear around the corner. Quinn has made pizzas with me

many times so he can at least pull out everything we need. I move toward Peyton and climb the steps until I’m about three away from her.

“I know we don’t know each other very well, but I thought maybe you could help

me make the pizza crust. I always end up being a hand short and since I only have two and need an extra, would you mind helping?”

Peyton turns slightly and runs her finger along the wood grain on the step. I take her silence as a giant no.

“Well, if you change your mind, we’ll be in the kitchen.”

I have no choice but to leave her. She has to come around on her own. I know that if I force her, she’ll never become my friend.

Quinn has the flour and yeast out, along with a large mixing bowl. He’s a pro and can probably make the dough with his eyes closed.

“Do you guys make your own pizza?” I ask, as I slip an apron on.

“We tried, but Mom isn’t very good at it.” Quinn says, causing my heart to skip a beat. So many times we wanted him to say the word ‘Mom’ to someone and be able to mean it. Lord knows his biological mother is a lost cause.

We work as a team making dough, mixing sauce, slicing pepperoni and grating

the cheese. Quinn is a little chef, and Elle is eager to learn. Every few minutes I check on Peyton, and every so often she’s moved down a step. Quinn makes sure to make her a pizza just the way she likes it, and I marvel at how well he’s adjusted to having siblings.

I’m pleasantly surprised when Peyton decides to join us at the dinner table. We eat in silence minus the praises of how good their pizzas have turned out.

“So, do you want your mom and dad to have another baby?” Three pairs of eyes

find mine and if I didn’t know better, I’d think I’m in one of those horror movies where the children slice up the babysitter.

“No!” all three reply in unison before they go back to eating. I make a mental note to ask Katelyn their plans because if a baby is in the future, they might want to try family counseling first.

I tell the kids not to worry about the dishes, and for them to go change and meet me in the family room. I microwave a few bags of popcorn and dump it into two bowls.

The family room is probably the coziest place in the house. A large sectional couch takes up most of the space, with beanbag chairs spread around. They have a huge television, which takes up half the wall. All three of them come down in their pajamas, carrying blankets.

With the movie in, I sit down only to have Quinn crawl up and snuggle in next to

me. He’s my best bud, and I’ve missed him. He makes me want to move closer, but I’m just not sure I can. The girls chose the first movie, some Disney musical. Quinn balks at first, but it doesn’t take him long to start singing along.

The loud knock on the door scares all of us. The girls let out a yelp, and my heart starts thrashing in my throat. Quinn runs to the door before I can stop him. I get there just as he opens it and find Xander, the incredibly good-looking trainer with the I-want-to-bend-you-over-my weight-bench-and-have-my-way-with-you eyes. I swallow hard when