"Sorry for staring," the front desk clerk offered cheerily. "but that was truly amazing to watch. I'm not sure any of the other teachers here can even attempt something like that."
Sasha sighed, and slowly rolled up to a standing position. "Flying pigeon isn't as difficult as it looks, it just requires a lot of focus. What's up?"
Willow offered up an apologetic smile. "Sorry to interrupt you, I know how involved you get when you're practicing alone. But there's someone asking for you up front, and I thought you'd like to know."
Sasha frowned. "A massage client? I don't have any appointments for at least a couple of hours."
"Nope, definitely not a client. He's, um, younger than most of your clients or students. And definitely a cutie. Want me to send him on back?"
Sasha grabbed a towel and began to blot the sweat off her face and upper chest. "No, that's okay. Just give me a minute to grab my things and I'll be right up."
Willow gave her a thumbs up, then headed back towards the front desk. Sasha quickly turned off the music before dropping her phone into her bag, then grabbed her towel and water bottle. She had stashed her sweater and shoes back in the massage room prior to her class this morning, and padded on bare feet up towards the lobby area, puzzled as to who her mystery visitor might be.
Casey was grinning broadly as he watched her approach, waving a hand in greeting. "Hi, Sasha! Thought I'd surprise you."
She deposited her things on one of the chairs in the lobby before enfolding Matthew's son in a hug. "Well, mission accomplished - I'm surprised. Also a little on the sweaty side. Sorry."
"It's okay." Casey hugged her back enthusiastically. "And you don't sweat nearly as much as I do after a baseball game."
Sasha smiled at him fondly. "Well, you haven't seen me after a two hour class held in a ninety-five degree room. Now, to what do I owe this very nice surprise? Shouldn't you be in school?"
He shook his head. "School doesn't start until next Wednesday, so I have a few more days of summer break. I'm sorry I haven't been by to see you until now, or even emailed you. But things have been sort of crazy, you know?"
"I do, yes. Your father came by to see me earlier this week to let me know what's been going on. I don't suppose your visit today has anything to do with that?" she inquired knowingly.
Casey looked adorably guilty, and so much like his father that Sasha's heart ached just a bit at the sight. "Um, maybe," he demurred, looking down awkwardly at his feet. "I mean, I wanted to see you, too, of course. But, well, do you think maybe we could talk for a few minutes? I could buy you some tea. Or lunch, whatever you like. My treat, of course."
"I think that sounds like the best offer I've had all week," she replied teasingly. "Let me grab my things and we can head out."
As Sasha retrieved her sweater and flip-flops from the massage room, she couldn't help but be a little suspicious as to the timing of Casey's impromptu visit. She didn't want to believe that Matthew had been the brains behind this, and that he had encouraged his son to try and persuade Sasha into coming back to him. Matthew had acted desperate enough a few days ago to use any means necessary to change her mind, but given what had just happened with Hayley and Lindsey, she didn't think he would copy a page from their book and coerce his son to help him out.
As she re-joined Casey in the lobby, Sasha realized with some surprise that she was actually hungry. She and Tessa often had a light breakfast together after these morning classes, but Tessa was busy with her last minute packing for Italy and hadn't been able to stay after class today. Sasha had worked up something of an appetite during her own intense practice, and ordered a grilled vegetable panini and a bowl of tomato soup at the little café she'd suggested to Casey. Being the typical teenaged boy he was, Casey's meal was nowhere near as healthy as hers – a towering mushroom and Swiss burger accompanied by a huge plate of fries.
He grinned at her as he unapologetically dunked a fry in ketchup. "I hope it doesn't gross you out to look at this. I mean, I know you don't eat meat or junk food."
She shook her head as she reached for her glass of iced herbal tea. "It's fine, Casey. I don't expect everyone to eat the same sort of diet I do. Though from something your father said the other day, it sounds like he's reverted back to his unhealthy eating habits."
"Yeah, maybe a little," admitted Casey. "And that's just one of the reasons you really, really need to take him back, Sasha."
"Ah." Sasha regarded him with a half-smile. "I was wondering how long it would take you to get around to that particular subject. I mean, there was only so long we could discuss your new school and what team you think is going to win the World Series - whatever that is. Should I assume your father doesn't know you came to see me today?"