“He did, huh? When did you guys decide all this?”
“When you went to the ladies room. So can we?”
As if on cue, Matt’s cell phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and then looked impatiently back at Faith. “Can we?”
“Who just texted you?” Faith asked, having a sneaking suspicion she already knew the answer.
“Kieran,” Matt said unapologetically. “Well?”
Faith exhaled. Kieran had Matt’s cell number, too? He hadn’t asked for her number. Then again, she wouldn’t be surprised if Matt had already provided Kieran with her number, too, given the way he was acting.
She promptly popped that little bubble of hope the moment it tried to surface. So what if he did? It wasn’t like Kieran would call her.
Matt looked at her expectantly, waiting for an answer. She should tell him no, that they had far too much to do around the new house and property. But the truth was, it was good to see Matt so excited about something. He rarely asked for anything, and a ride into town wasn’t an unreasonable request, especially when she had planned on heading that way anyway to check out the farmer’s market again to scope out prices on used furniture and second-hand items.
And she would get to see Kieran again, an inner voice pointed out.
“I guess,” she said finally, laughing when Matt whooped and started texting Kieran immediately. “He says the demo starts at noon and lasts till two.”
Faith nodded. She could rise early and get some sketches done, then take Matt into town. With any luck, they wouldn’t cross paths with more Natalies in the process.
Chapter Six
“This place is awesome,” Matt declared the moment they pulled into the parking lot and saw the state-of-the-art structure that was BodyWorks. Three visible stories of brick and dark glass that somehow fit perfectly against the scenic mountain backdrop. The outside, however, was nothing compared to the inside. Black marble and gold abounded in the entry way along with huge ferns and plants creating a lush, cordial atmosphere.
Faith had to agree with Matt’s initial assessment. The interior was beautifully done; it was understated and ultra-modern yet warm and welcoming. She would have expected to feel woefully out of place in a fitness center, but strangely enough, she didn’t. There were people of all ages, all sizes, all walks of life milling about. Some wore expensive-looking designer fitness wear; others sported the same cotton tees and shorts she bought from the end-of-season clearance rack at Walmart.
“Can I help you?” said a friendly-looking woman from behind the black marble Member Services check-in desk. The recessed lighting made the highlights in her hair shimmer like spun threads of gold. Young and extremely attractive in a form-fitting black BodyWorks polo embroidered with the name Phoebe and black boy shorts, her million watt smile nearly blinded them. Faith self-consciously tugged on her plain white, short-sleeved cotton blouse.
“We’re here to see the martial arts demo,” Matt said, his eyes wide as he tried to take in everything at once. “Kieran invited us.”
The young woman nodded. “Faith and Matt, right?”
Faith nodded, nonplussed. How could this woman possibly know their names?
“Great! He wanted to know the moment you arrived.” The woman pressed a button on the console and spoke into the small microphone near her flat screen. “Mr. Callaghan, your guests are here.” She paused briefly, and Faith realized she was listening to the very tiny receiver tucked around her right ear. “Yes, sir.” Pressing another button, Phoebe looked up at them and grinned again. “Mr. Callaghan will be down shortly. Paul will take you down to the café.”
Paul stepped forward. Like Phoebe, he wore a black BodyWorks polo embroidered with his name, but instead of shorts, he sported thin men’s workout pants.
“Hi.” Every bit as attractive and fit as Phoebe, his grin was equally devastating. He gave Faith a knowing grin. “First time?”
She nodded. Paul laughed easily. “I know. A bit overwhelming, right? Don’t worry. You get used to it.”
“Oh, we’re just here for the demo,” Faith told him, expecting Paul’s friendly fa?ade to fade once he realized they would not be the source of his next commission, but he remained as pleasant as ever, leading them over to the café. The subtly lit board boasted the Celtic Goddess name, along with a dizzying assortment of organic, healthy fare choices.
“What can I get for you?” he asked expectantly.