Free Channel 20 Something by Amy Patrick

fitness.”
    “You must be, too. You’ve already found the gym.” And look like a cover model for Men’s Health.
    “Well, I didn’t have that much to do, and I don’t know anybody, so I thought I’d go work out, kill some time on my days off. You know how it is when you move to a new town.”
    “Yeah.” I knew how it was. But instead of finding a fitness center when I’d moved to Providence, I’d found Josh. Which, of course, was not Aric’s fault.
    Guilt washed over me, leaving me more chilled than the rain had. I’d been so stand-offish toward Aric. I remembered that lonely feeling, the hope that someone would be friendly and step in to fill the vacuum created by leaving my family and friends behind in my hometown. He was probably feeling exactly like I had when I’d arrived on the Brown campus all those years ago. Alone in every sense of the word.
    “So… I’ve been thinking,” I said. “If you’re still interested, I’d like it if we could work together—like you suggested—on our reels. I could shoot stand-ups and interviews for you. You could shoot them for me. If you still want to.”
    My favorite sunny smile appeared.
    “And I’d like to learn those vocal exercises, too,” I continued.
    He glanced over at me, still smiling. “And the meditation techniques?”
    “Have you been keeping a running tab of everything I’ve said ‘no’ to?”
    “As a matter of fact, I have.”
    “Well, as a matter of fact , I would like to learn those, too. Maybe I could finally stop losing my lunch before every live shot and newscast.”
    He gave a short, sharp laugh. “Seriously? Every time?”
    “Don’t laugh. It’s horrible. I once threw up in front of the governor.”
    “Oh no. When?”
    “You’re still laughing.”
    “Sorry.”
    “At the Neshoba County Fair—you haven’t experienced that yet. It’s this big weeklong event in the summer. Horse racing, rides, concerts. And all the politicians running for office show up to give speeches and meet the people. The governor was up for re-election last year, and I was there doing a noon live shot. He agreed to come on for an interview with me. So—we’re in our places, standing there together. I feel fine, I’m thinking I’m going to make it, and then I hear the director in my IFB, and she says, ‘one minute.’ I had to turn to the governor, say ‘excuse me’ and run for this big trash barrel nearby and throw up—right there in broad daylight in front of the leader of our state government—by this time I’ve got like thirty seconds to air.”
    “You’re right. That is bad. Did you make it?”
    “I did. I got back into place and did the interview. But the governor had this weird look on his face the whole time. Oh man—it was not good. I cringe whenever I look at the playback.”
    “Poor you. I want to see that interview, by the way.” Aric pulled the SUV over and stopped outside my apartment building.
    “Not a chance. So—you think this meditation thing will really help me?”
    “I do.” He turned in his seat to face me more fully, staring at me as if trying to decipher a particularly difficult Sudoku. “So… what changed?”
    “What? Oh. I just… decided to start saying ‘yes.’”
    “To what?”
    I shrugged. “Everything.”
    A wide grin spread across his face, and his eyes widened. “Excellent. Can I come inside?”
    All my breath seemed to leave my body at once. “Right now?” I wheezed.
    “Sure. I’ll teach you a couple of relaxation techniques. Right before bed is a great time to practice them.” He gave me a sexy smile, which combined with the word “bed” still hanging in the air, suddenly made common sense seem like an option.
    Bionic pheromones, Heidi. “Um… you know, when I said everything, I didn’t mean everything, ” I backpedaled.
    He laughed softly. “Relax. I’m not planning to put any moves on you. You’ve already told me you have a boyfriend. We’re friends now, right?” His smile