Home > Eye Candy (Fighting for Love #3)(6)

Eye Candy (Fighting for Love #3)(6)
Author: Jiffy Kate

Maybe I should ask her for her number?

Before I can make a decision, she’s gone and I exhale. That’s right, walk away, because I definitely don’t need that kind of distraction.

 

 

Chapter 4

 

 

Maggie

 

 

Okay, Maggie. Pep talk time.

I inhale a deep breath, hold it for a beat, then let it out slowly. I repeat this process a second time, and then again. As I exhale for the third time, I open my eyes and look at my reflection in my rearview mirror. I was just here yesterday, but now that I’m actually here for a class, my nerves are getting the best of me.

You can do this. You’re only observing the class, not participating. It’s important and your readers are counting on you. Don’t let the fact you’re at Viking MMA freak you out. It’s a class for women, being taught by a woman, so the odds you’ll run into any of the Erickson brothers, much less Vali, are slim to none.

Pull up your lace panties and get in there.

Without another thought, I step out of my car and walk into the building. See? Easy. No big deal.

“Hi! Are you here for the self-defense class?” A young woman with a cute and spunky hairstyle greets me immediately. I already know she’s Frankie Reeves, girlfriend to Gunnar, but I can’t let her know I know her.

The life of a small-town gossip and advice columnist, who writes under a secret pen name—or two—can be tricky. I have to stay on my toes so I don’t blow my cover.

“I am, but I’m just here to observe.” I motion to my body, showcasing the dress and boots I’m wearing instead of the typical workout clothes I imagine are required.

“Totally fine,” she assures me. “I’m Frankie. I’ll show you around and get you settled so you can watch Tempest teach the class. She’s really good. What’s your name?”

My eyes are wandering around the room, taking in my surroundings but also looking out for any Vikings who may be milling about, so it takes me a few seconds to realize Frankie has asked me a question.

“Oh, I’m, uh, Margaret. You can call me Maggie, though. Everyone does.”

“Nice to meet you, Maggie,” she says, giving me a genuine smile that somehow puts me at ease. “Make yourself at home and sit anywhere you want in this section.” Frankie points to a few chairs set up by a wall of mirrors. “The bathrooms are just down the hall over there, as well as a couple of vending machines if you need anything. If you have any questions, I’m sure Tempest will answer them after the class is over.”

“Okay, great. Thank you.”

“Have fun,” she says as she walks back to the front of the building.

Have fun, sure.

I mean, I’ll definitely try to enjoy the class but I don’t know if I can relax enough to have fun, knowing I’m breathing the same air as the Erickson brothers. My reasons for being here are twofold. One, I’ve always wanted to take a class like this. My dream is to move away to a big city and I believe a woman should know how to protect herself at all times. Two, it’s my duty to my readers to get them firsthand information. Even though I write under the ruse of a gossip columnist, I tend to lean more toward the advice part. One of these days, I hope to be given an opportunity to write something more important and have a greater influence. Until then, I’m perfecting my craft and giving the people what they want.

Since I predict I’ll be writing about the Ericksons and their studio quite a bit, I need to be where the action is.

Okay, so my reasons are threefold, I guess, because let’s not forget the huge crush I have on Vali Erickson. Just the thought of possibly seeing him today has my stomach in knots and my palms sweaty. Those jitters that left are back and they brought friends.

Thank goodness my dress has pockets, so I can secretly wipe my hands off.

“Hey, everyone! Thanks so much for being here,” Tempest calls out, greeting the class. Her enthusiasm is contagious. There are twelve women of varying ages and all of them seem excited to be here. “Let’s get started, all right?”

The class begins with a few simple stretches and I find myself following along to the guided breathing portion, allowing it to soothe me back into a calm state. After about five minutes of warm-up, Tempest begins to instruct the class on proper ways to block and dodge attacks, as well as what to do if an attacker lands a hit. There’s way more to this class than I initially thought and Tempest is a natural when it comes to teaching. The Duchess of Muffins and a kick-ass instructor, she’s your modern-day Renaissance woman.

There’s so much to learn, I want to whip out my notepad and pen to take notes. I refrain, though, because I must keep my secret safe at all costs. Plus, I know for certain I’ll be back to take the class. I’m regretting I didn’t just jump in, feetfirst, per usual.

As Tempest walks around, correcting stances and giving encouragement, I take the opportunity to slip away and scope out the place. As I’m walking toward the hallway Frankie pointed out earlier, I try to nonchalantly catch a Viking in the wild. Sadly, my hunt is in vain, so I walk into the ladies’ room and wash my hands, while checking my hair in the mirror.

When I’m on my way back to my seat, I practically halt in my tracks at the sound of a familiar male voice. It’s deep, kind of gravelly, and so sexy.

Vali Erickson.

Trying to play it cool, I slip into my seat, but damn if I don’t misjudge my trajectory and place myself where my chair and the one next to it are joined. I let out a squeak when I feel the cold metal through the fabric of my skirt and quickly slide onto the plastic, praying no one noticed my outburst. Swallowing hard, I smooth down my skirt and sit up straight, trying to appear as normal as I possibly can, before raising my head and looking straight at Vali.

And he’s looking back at me.

And, holy hell, I want to die of embarrassment because I’m sure he just got a front-row seat to the awkwardness that is Maggie O’Neal. At least he’s not laughing at me. He’s not laughing at all. Actually, he seems kind of frozen in place.

It looks like he’s helping a student from Tempest’s class, but his eyes are still on me… like he likes what he sees, which is totally crazy and absurd and a sign I’ve lost my mind and need to leave as soon as possible.

Grabbing my bag and coat, I decide I’ve observed enough for one evening. Walking briskly toward the front door, I keep my head down and try not to bring attention to myself because I don’t want it to be weird when I come back next week. But I’ve got to get out of here before I inadvertently make the situation worse.

“Hey, wait,” a voice calls out.

I’m so close to freedom, but before I can get through the front door, Frankie catches up to me.

“Hey,” she says, eyeing me closely. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything is perfectly fine. Just wonderful. I’ll be back for a class, I promise!” My words are rushed and probably unintelligible, and as if I haven’t had enough embarrassment for one night, I see Vali walking up behind her.

“Ma’am, you okay?”

Ma’am?

Did he just ma’am me?

Why is that so hot?

Ohmygod.

Be cool, Maggie.

“Who, me?” I huff out a laugh as I back toward the door, my hand searching for the handle. “No, I’m fine. I just realized I need to be somewhere… else.”

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