February Or Forever (14 page)

‘Barry and two other mates auditioned with me, we called ourselves The Bay Boys, can you believe it?' Drew poked a finger into his mouth to feign puking, then laughed. ‘The judges said we were good, but they would only put me through to the next round as a solo artist. They liked the boys, but thought I'd do better on my own. So they got me to sing solo, and that sealed the deal. It was either stick with my mates and leave the show, or leave my mates and go through on my own.'

Chrissie shook her head. ‘I can't imagine how hard a decision that must have been. But it was totally understandable you went for it. I mean, they would have done the same thing I'm sure.'

‘Well at first I decided not to go through. The judges gave me to the end of the day to decide, and I thought nope, I can't do that to them. I told the boys, but they said “Look, Drew, you shouldn't have to pass up this opportunity because of us. You'll regret it.” Barry kept quiet though. I knew I'd regret something either way, and when my mates encouraged me to go for it, I did. Not realising at the time how Barry really felt.'

‘So now he feels like you abandoned him for something bigger and better.'

‘That's pretty much it. His career never extended beyond casual gigs, and I think he resents me for that.'

‘And your other band mates?'

Drew rested his hands loosely on his hips. ‘They were happy for me. Adam went on to become a high school music teacher and Craig now owns his own real estate agency — go figure.'

‘So you never wish you'd pursued a career out of the spotlight?'

‘There've been a few times I wished I could turn back time and be anonymous, do what I want without having an audience, but once I get on that stage and share my passion, there's nothing like it.' Drew's eyes shined, a satisfied smile gracing his face.

‘Some people are just born for it, I think.'

‘True.' He tapped her arm. ‘And you, you're born for teaching yoga.'

Chrissie turned her head to the side and bit on her smile. ‘I used to think I was born for journalism.'

‘You were a journalist?' Drew crossed his arms over his chest, and a furrow formed between his eyebrows.

‘Yes. Though that part of my life is long gone. I don't keep up with media now, there could be a cure for cancer making news headlines and I wouldn't hear about it.' It occurred to Chrissie that Drew was probably uncomfortable around media people. She'd worked with genuine professionals who cared about covering the truth, but there were a few who liked to stretch it, twist and mould a story to attract an audience. Celebrities were often the victims of such ploys, and no doubt Drew had been exposed to that at some point.

He dropped his arms to his side and his face relaxed. ‘Oh, right. So what made you leave the industry?'

Chrissie rubbed the back of her neck. ‘Ah, got a bit stressful I guess. Lost the passion for it. I had my time, but needed to move on to something different.' It was the truth, but not the whole truth. She didn't exactly want to get into a discussion about the tragic story she'd covered which led to the resurgence of her panic attacks. Despite that awful time in her life, in a way it had been a good thing. It led her to yoga. First as therapy, then as a career. Once she became accustomed to the peace and control it brought, she couldn't go back. If she could bring peace and strength to others, she'd live a happy life.

Drew held his arms out to the side and glanced around. ‘And different it is. Do you think you'll always teach yoga?'

‘Yes, I think so. I mean, who knows what the future will bring, but I feel like I've found my true passion. And I'd love to eventually run a yoga retreat, work more intensively with a smaller group of people.' Visions of doing yoga outside in the fresh air at dawn floated through her mind. Celebrating a new day and preparing the mind and body for the activities ahead.
One day. One day…

‘That's a great idea.' Drew tapped his chin. ‘I know a fair few music industry people who would jump at the chance to have a calming retreat away from their busy lives. You could even tailor it to,' he made quotes with his fingers, ‘“celebrities”.'

Wow, she'd never thought of that. They'd certainly have the money to pay for an exclusive high-end retreat, but who was she to be responsible for their wellbeing? Then again, she
was
getting a bit of V.I.P. experience working with Drew. Maybe he would put in a good word for her with others.

‘I could spread the word, put in a good word for you,' he said.

Was he a mind reader? Chrissie held back a smile.

‘It's a wonderful idea, I don't know if it's possible to sustain it, but time will tell.'

‘Think big, I always say. You never know what might happen. Sometimes you've got to take a leap of faith.'

Drew could practically pass as an inspirational speaker. Did he even need yoga and meditation, or time away? He seemed so together and balanced.

‘I'll be sure to remember that. Thanks.' She smiled. ‘First, though, I need to get my aunt's house in order so I can sell it.'

‘Oh yeah, how's it going?'

‘Slow. I'm just making plans at the moment, I'll do a few small things when I can and start more significant renovations next school holidays.'

‘Do you have any family close by to help?'

There it was, the inevitable family question that always seeped into conversation at some point between new friends. Friends?

‘No, I don't.'

‘Bummer. Scattered around the country are they? Or overseas even?'

‘No, no, I just don't have any.'

‘At all?'

‘Nope. It's just me and Kai left.'

Drew ran a hand over his head and shook it. ‘Geez, I'm sorry Chrissie. Foot in mouth disease and all that.'

‘It's okay, don't worry.'

‘So your aunt was the last, er…'

‘Remaining relative, yes. My mum died quite a few years ago, before Kai was born. She had ovarian cancer.' Chrissie's head dropped a little toward her chest.

‘Oh man, that's tough.'

Chrissie nodded.

‘And your dad? If you don't mind my asking.'

‘He died when I was a baby. Train accident at Granville.'

Drew's eyes went wide. ‘I remember hearing about that. Holy crap.' He shook his head again.

‘Yeah. It was one of those wrong place wrong time situations. If he'd sat in a different carriage, he may still be here.' She gulped down a lump of sadness. ‘But you can't dwell on the past. What happened, happened, and you've just got to move forward.' Which is what she'd been trying to do all her life, even though she felt like she was attached to her past with a strong length of industrial rope that wouldn't break, trapping her in its hold forever.

‘I really am sorry, Chrissie. You've been through such a lot.'

No need to bring up the issue of her sister's death, the poor guy would probably need intravenous Prozac afterwards.

Chrissie shrugged and raised her hands. ‘Thanks. That's life I guess. You never know what it has in store for you.'

‘No you don't,' he said. ‘But you
can
create the life you want. You've done that, by following your heart to a yoga career, and working towards your goal of owning a retreat. You'll get there, Chrissie, I know you will.'

He placed his hand against her arm and gave it a slight but definite rub, sending tingles across her skin, not only at his touch, but also at the conviction in his words. He really believed in her. He had faith in her. His belief straightened her spine and raised her chin.

‘That means a lot, thank you.' She offered a grateful smile. ‘Well I better practise what I preach and teach my stuff.' She gestured to the yoga mat and Drew stepped onto it. ‘Let's forget about the past for now and think only about the immediate future. By the end of this class I want you to be a pro at
Ardha Chandrasana
.' She placed her hands on her hips in a show of authority.

‘As long as I don't have to spell it,' Drew replied with a cheeky grin.

‘And when you're ready, slowly open your eyes.' Chrissie opened her own and eased herself up off the floor, a calm sense of peace enveloping her as it always did after a yoga session and lying down in
Shavasana.
She rotated her ankles and stretched her arms above her head to wake up her body, then glanced at Drew, still in
Shavasana.
Well, she
had
said ‘when you're ready'. She stepped a little closer and repeated, ‘Whenever you're ready, open your eyes.' Nothing. She leaned over him, deep rhythmic breathing making his chest slowly rise and fall. The guy was asleep. Chrissie held back a chuckle and turned away for a moment, then back again.

What should I do? Do I wake him up or let him sleep?

She nibbled on her bottom lip and glanced around the room. She'd had students fall asleep before, but they'd always wake up when other members of the class shuffled out. This was different, it was just her and him. She thought if she moved towards the corner table to get her things, the movement and sounds might rouse him, but her legs wouldn't budge. She stood over him, watching the hypnotic movement of his chest, taking in the contours of his gorgeous face. Her fingers wanted to trace them, slide across his skin, curve around his jawline. They tingled at the possibility
. Oh for God's sake, wake the man up and put an end to the awkward situation!

She bent over and reached out her hand, preparing to touch his shoulder and give it a gentle shake, when his eyes blinked open. Chrissie lurched backwards. ‘Sorry, I was just…'
watching you in a completely unprofessional way.
‘Just about to wake you up.' Heat crept across her face.

Drew rubbed his eyes. ‘Did I really fall asleep? The last thing I remember is you telling me to breathe deeply and relax my muscles.'

‘You were out of it.' She grinned.

‘Sorry!' He laughed, easing up into a seated position with his hands supporting his weight behind him. ‘How rude of me.' He rubbed his fingers across his forehead and shook his head, still smiling.

‘You must still be jet-lagged. It's no problem.'

‘How long was I out?'

‘Not long. I only finished the meditation a couple of minutes ago. I didn't know whether to wake you or not.'

‘It's better if I don't nap, otherwise I won't sleep at night. Nothing worse than insomnia.'

Didn't she know it. She'd suffered for years as a teenager.

‘A few minutes of napping shouldn't affect your sleep tonight. Lucky I didn't fall asleep too or we'd both be in trouble.'

He caught her eye and his smile widened.

‘Yeah, can't have you sleeping with me on the job.'

Did he just say what I think he said?
Chrissie's mouth dropped open a tad and after a moment, so did Drew's.

‘Oh my God, that sounded better in my head!' His cheeks grew pink and Chrissie tried to contain her laughter. ‘I'm sorry, I didn't mean…what I meant was…'

‘Sleeping,
as well as you
, on the job, right?' she suggested.

‘Exactly. Geez, I must be
really
jet-lagged, it's messing with my head!'

‘Forget about it, God knows I've had more than a few faux pas in my life.' But his took the cake, especially as it was actually true in the literal sense. Sleeping with guests or students was, of course, forbidden. It was even listed in her job agreement: staff members will refrain from any relationships of a romantic or sexual nature with Serendipity guests, clients, or students. Not that it would happen with Drew anyway; he was her student, she was his teacher. Strictly professional. Yes, they'd grown comfortable around each other in only a short time and shared fun and enlightening conversation, but in a few short weeks it would all be over. No sense even going to the place in her mind that wanted to chuck the rules out the window and grab him with both hands. It was obviously just infatuation enhanced by being around him every day. There'd never be any hope of a romance between them, even if he wasn't a guest or her student, she had her life and he had his; completely opposite lives that would in no way fit together.

Why am I thinking all this?
Chrissie tried to put the brakes on her rapid-fire thoughts and return to the moment at hand. He'd simply said something that didn't come out right, it just happened to allude to a physical relationship, and now it was time to move on.

‘Well, I better let you get some lunch. I don't know about you, but my stomach is grumbling,' Chrissie said.

‘My stomach is always grumbling. I'm a man.' Drew rubbed his belly, and Chrissie nodded.

‘True,' she said. ‘I know Kai will probably eat me out of house and home when he's a teenager. But maybe I'll get lucky and he won't be like other guys.'

‘Yeah, good luck with that.' Drew's expression suggested he was being sarcastic, as if the constant desire for food was as common to men as facial hair. Then his expression changed to one of anticipation. ‘Chrissie, do you want to join me for lunch in the dining room?'

‘In
the
dining room?' She furrowed her brows.

‘No, the V.I.P. dining room downstairs.'

‘Oh, of course, sorry.' As if he'd share a plate of vegetarian lasagne with a bunch of guests if he was so careful to avoid being seen here. She turned her wrist and glanced at the time. It was either eat lunch with other staff as usual, or share a private meal with her favourite singer. Tough choice. ‘Sure, that'd be nice.' She nodded.

‘Great, I'll call up a double serving of everything, hang on a tick.' He headed towards the studio door then turned back. ‘Meet you downstairs in a few minutes?'

‘Sounds good.' Chrissie nodded and watched him disappear around the corner into his room. She took a can of deodorant from her bag and sprayed it under her arms, then slid a lip balm across her lips and plumped them together, before hooking the bag over her shoulder, blowing out the candles, and making her way downstairs.