Her life was about to change, and she didn’t even know it yet.
Chapter 7
Ria’s mind kept wandering from her studies. She thought back to all that had happened in the last few days. She had gone from almost being raped and possibly killed to having lunch with Nicholas.
During lunch, she’d found out that he had been training since he was thirteen years old. His father used to fight, but had a short lived career, so he’d bought a gym and started training. After growing up around it, it was only natural that Nicholas had started fighting. He’d turned out to be really good, and it wasn’t long before he had started winning the championship fights. As he had aged, he’d gotten even bigger, and had slowly worked his way up through weight divisions.
He had also explained how mixed martial arts fights were judged and how he trained for them, which she had actually found interesting. It wasn’t just about beating one another up; it took years of practice to learn the moves. It was like an art form. She was surprised that she’d enjoyed listening to him explain it to her. In the past, she wouldn’t have looked twice at a MMA fighter, but there was so much more to it than she would have ever imagined. She respected his self-discipline.
He admitted there were a lot of assholes out there, just in it to hurt someone. However, for the true fighters, it was all about the execution of various moves at the right moments.
They had spent two hours getting to know one another. She could have stayed longer, but he’d reminded her that she needed to study. She sighed. She couldn’t wait to pass the exam and get a better job.
He had told her he would be there after her next two shifts to pick her up. She smiled, knowing she would be seeing him again soon.
It was Wednesday evening, and she was going through some practice questions when she heard a knock at the door. Knowing Lacey was coming over for a review session, she went to open the door.
“Hey, Lacey. Thanks for coming.” Ria opened the door wider to let her friend in.
“No problem. Anything to get you out of that fucking bar,” Lacey declared.
Ria huffed and shook her head. “It’s actually not that bad.”
Lacey looked at her like she had just lost her mind. “Yes, Ria, it is that bad.” She scowled at her.
“Okay, okay. I won’t be there much longer.”
As they made their way to Ria’s small coffee table to study, Ria’s phone beeped, indicating she had received a text message.
She picked it up.
I’m thinking about you. Can you take a break tomorrow for dinner?
Ria tried to contain her smile, but couldn’t. She texted a yes to dinner then put the phone down and caught Lacey staring at her.
“Who was that?” Lacey asked with a frown.
Ria sighed. She hadn’t told Lacey about Nicholas yet; she didn’t want to jinx it by talking about it too soon. She hadn’t told Lacey about what had happened, either. She knew Lacey would once again get on her for working at the bar, and she didn’t feel like listening to her.
“Do you remember Nicholas, the fighter?” Ria asked.
“Who could forget?” Lacey replied. “That was him, and you’re happy about it?”
Ria felt a giddy grin spread across her face. She was excited about it and wanted to share it with her best friend. Men like Nicholas never attempted to get to know her, yet during their lunch together he had been the perfect gentleman, completely wiping out the first impression he had made on her a month before. He had even lived up to his promise about calling the administrator. Her former boss had called and told her he would give her a reference when the time came. Ria felt as if her life was finally looking up.
“Yes, can you believe it?”
“Yes. I can believe he’d be interested in you; he would be crazy not to,” Lacey said encouragingly. “But I thought you hated the guy. How did you start talking?”
“Before I go too far, I’m fine and it won’t happen again.” Ria began the story about leaving work that night.
Ria made it through the story without Lacey interrupting too many times. By the end, Lacey had calmed down and was clearly happy for her.
“Oh, Ria, that’s amazing!” Lacey said with jubilation as she stood up to feel the back of Ria’s head. “It’s like a fairy tale, except for the almost getting raped and killed part.” She grunted as she examined Ria’s head.
Ria giggled. That was true.
She sat still while Lacey felt around the lump. It was slowly coming down, but her neck was still stiff and it was uncomfortable to move her neck.
“How are you feeling?” Lacey asked.
“Stiff, but otherwise, I’m okay.”