Jennifer Probst: Heart of Steel

Sunlight poured through the oversize bay windows of the Yoga and Arts Center and enveloped Chandler in a warm, hazy glow. She breathed deep as the soothing strains of a flute drifted in the air. Her name echoed from the distance but she ignored the sound. She floated in a calm, peaceful state of mind, and knew the moment she opened her eyes reality would intrude. As she slowly brought herself back from her meditation, she became aware of the cool, smooth wood beneath the soles of her bare feet. Her unbound hair fanned out on the mat around her and absorbed the heat of the sun. When the voice became more insistent, she opened her eyes and eased herself up.

Harrison Edward Weston III rushed through the door and stopped short. “Oh! Sorry, Chandler, I didn’t know you were meditating.”

“Don’t worry, I was just finishing up.” She rose to her feet and walked to the end of her studio to flip off the CD player. “I need to go over the contract with you, anyway. I want to be prepared for my dinner with Logan Grant.”

Harry trailed behind her. His tone held a worried note. “I shouldn’t have let you handle the meeting alone. I’m your lawyer, it’s my responsibility to protect your interests.”

Chandler hid a smile. Ever since she’d met Harry in the sixth grade, she’d looked out for him. Being a year older, she treated him as the younger brother she’d never had, and throughout the years a close friendship evolved, bordering on family affection.

Harry’s father still worked in the law firm which handled Alexander Santell’s legal matters. They’d often laugh as they reminisced about their common backgrounds, since both of them had been raised in their fathers’ offices. After he failed the bar exam, Harry left his father’s firm to work as a legal assistant, vowing to achieve success on his own. Her heart broke each time he failed, but she admired the determination her friend showed, swearing he wouldn’t quit until he passed the bar.

The mirror on the far wall of her studio reflected an image of a man to be trusted. His curly, dark hair and warm brown eyes drew women toward him, and his friendly smile helped build him a solid base of clients. His five foot six frame bubbled over with energy, and she always had trouble trying to get him to relax and focus on the task at hand. She enjoyed Harry’s company, and relaxed in his presence. With Harry she never worried about any hidden intentions.

Chandler led him toward her back office and watched him sink into the worn cushions of the tattered mauve sofa. “Maybe I should go to dinner with you and Grant.” Harry opened his briefcase with a frown. “What if he tries to put one over on you?”

She leaned against the edge of the desk and sighed. “No, I’ll be okay. This dinner meeting is a way for him to learn my weaknesses. It’s a familiar tactic I learned in the corporate world.”

Harry chuckled. “I almost feel sorry for him if he thinks he can intimidate you. Beneath your gentle image lies a mighty core. Four years ago, you were prepared to enter your father’s corporation and marry his right-hand man. Your whole future was planned. And at the last minute you left everything behind to take the time to find yourself. You’ve got guts.”

She smiled. Harry understood what it took for her to walk away from everything she thought she wanted. Her disciplines of yoga and meditation helped, strengthening both her body and mind. But late at night, she still heard her father’s taunting words the day she walked into his office and found her entire life changed.

She shook off her disturbing thoughts and poured a cup of herbal tea. The hot liquid slid down her throat with ease. “Logan will help me keep my business. I guarantee him his investment. We both get what we want.”

“The escape clause was a mistake. You never discussed the option with me.”

“You know I’m desperate. Logan behaved oddly, too. After I offered him a full reimbursement, he acted angry. Almost as if he cared about what happened to my studio.”

Harry gave a snort. “Grant doesn’t care about people. He cares about money.”

“Yeah, you’re right. His lawyer seemed nice, though. His name is Richard Thorne, and he actually studies yoga.”

Harry lifted one brow. “An attorney of Grant’s doing yoga? That’s a new one.” He studied her face thoughtfully. “What did you think of him?”

“He’s nice. Not like Logan at all. He seemed more, well, light-hearted. Non-threatening.”

“Hmmm. Just your type.”

She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Are you trying to tell me something?”

“Yeah, you need a date.”

“Harry, you’re so subtle.”

“It’s been too long since you had a man in your life. A lawyer who’s interested in yoga is a rarity these days. Go for it.”

“Thanks for the advice, but I’m not jumping into anything. I’m content with my life, and men make things complicated. Besides, he works for Logan. He wanted to draw up the contracts but I told them I’d use my own lawyer.”

“Good move. I’ll add a clause so you can break the arrangement within six months if you think the program won’t work. I want you both on equal footing.” He grimaced as he took a sip of the herbal tea she handed him. “Damn, don’t you have any coffee in this place?”

“Too much caffeine isn’t good for you. Besides, this tea contains antioxidants.”

“I’d rather die happy. This stuff tastes terrible.” He put the mug back down. “How will you manage the extra workload?

“Linda will handle the bulk, but I’ll have to cut back on some classes temporarily. If this deal works out I can hire new instructors and expand without a deficit. This contract is the start of a whole new future. Can you imagine how many new students I could teach? I can renovate the building, and get that soft lighting we talked about, and new mats and—”

“What if the deal falls through?”

She raised her chin. “The deal will go through. I’ll prove to Logan this is the best program he ever invested in.”

Harry shook his head. “No offense, but I can’t believe he agreed. Can you picture the ‘man of steel’ trying to relax and clear his mind?”

“I know. I bet half of his work force suffers from ulcers.”

Harry chuckled. “Those finance boys won’t know what hit them. I bet after a month of your classes they’ll watch what they eat and breathe deeply in stressful situations.”

Chandler laughed. “I hope you’re right. But the first executive I need to impress is the man picking me up in a couple of hours.” She glanced at her watch. “I have to get home and change. I’m sure at exactly seven he’ll show up at the door in the usual suit and tie.”

Harry went over a few details he added to the contract. “Are you wearing the itchy suit?” he asked.

Chandler made a face at his teasing remark. “No, I’m donating that to charity. I have a different outfit in mind for Mr. Grant. Maybe the white chiffon.”

He whistled. “The one with the headdress? Your father almost dropped on the floor when you showed up at dinner and caused his client to spill champagne in his lap.”

Her laughter floated through the room as she shut the door behind her.

The situation was not what she’d expected.

Chandler watched the man from across the table as she bit into a slice of crusty French bread slathered in butter. From the moment he’d picked her up in his low slung Italian sports car he’d thrown her curve balls. Instead of the usual suit and tie, he lounged before her in a casual sport jacket and black turtleneck, which molded to his body and defined his broad shoulders and chest. Black slacks clung to his muscular thighs and a pair of Nike Air completed the outfit. Logan Grant actually wore sneakers. She couldn’t seem to accept it.