The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the training facility as Hailey positioned herself at the center of the room.
Her body was perfectly balanced, hands pressed firmly against the mat, feet pointing toward the ceiling in a flawless handstand.
"Now watch carefully, ladies," Hailey said, her voice steady despite being turned upside down. "This isn't just about showing off."
The junior stuntwomen sat in a semicircle around her, their faces turned upward with focused attention.
Clara raised her hand slightly.
"Should we be taking notes?" Clara asked with a hint of amusement.
"Mental notes will do," Hailey replied, maintaining her position. "When you're at the brink of life and death, you must focus on the most important thing. Your breathing. Your balance. Your objective."
"What if we're scared of heights?" Emma piped up from the back.
"Then you breathe through it," Hailey responded firmly. "Fear is just another distraction to overcome."
Her arms remained perfectly straight, supporting her entire body weight without the slightest tremor.
Melanie leaned forward, studying her instructor's form.
"How long can you hold that position?" Melanie asked.
"Long enough to prove my point," Hailey said with a slight chuckle. "If you lose that focus for even one second—"
The facility door opened with a soft creak, cutting her words short.
Hailey's eyes immediately shifted toward the entrance, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw Eric walking through the doorway.
He was wearing dark jeans and a simple white t-shirt that fit him perfectly. His hair was slightly messy, and the afternoon light from the windows caught the sharp angles of his face.
The moment of distraction was all it took.
Hailey's perfectly balanced handstand wavered, and she came crashing down onto the mat with a soft thud.
"Eric!" she exclaimed, scrambling to her feet with more enthusiasm than grace.
"Well, well," Clara whispered to Melanie. "Look who just made our instructor forget everything she just taught us."
"I heard that, Clara," Hailey said, brushing off her embarrassment but unable to hide her smile.
"Sorry, boss," Clara grinned. "But you did just demonstrate your own point perfectly."
"What point was that again?" Sarah asked innocently.
"One second of lost focus, and down you go," Emma quoted, trying to suppress her laughter.
Eric stepped further into the room, his eyes taking in the scene with amusement. "Did I interrupt something important?"
"Just Hailey showing us how to fall gracefully," Melanie said with a smirk.
"That wasn't the lesson!" Hailey protested, her cheeks flushing pink. "The lesson was about maintaining focus under pressure."
"And you failed spectacularly," Clara added cheerfully.
Eric chuckled. "I'm sorry if I caused any... disruption to your teaching methods."
"Oh, you definitely caused disruption," Sarah said under her breath.
"Okay, everyone," Hailey said quickly, clapping her hands together. "Take a break. Go drink some water. Take your time."
The women began to stand up, stretching their muscles and reaching for their water bottles.
They moved slower than usual, their curiosity about Eric obvious in the lingering glances they cast in his direction.
"Take a really long break," Hailey added, making shooing motions with her hands. "You've been working hard."
"Are you sure, Hailey?" Clara asked, her voice filled with barely contained amusement. "We could continue with the handstand practice. I'm sure Eric would love to watch you demonstrate again."
"No, no," Hailey said quickly. "You all need to stay hydrated. It's... it's very important for your performance."
"Hydration is crucial," Eric agreed solemnly, though his eyes were twinkling with mischief.
"Especially when it's this hot in here," Emma added, fanning herself dramatically.
"The temperature is perfectly normal," Hailey said defensively.
"Is it though?" Melanie asked, exchanging meaningful looks with the other women.
"Go," Hailey said more firmly. "Break time. Now."
The stuntwomen filed out of the main training area, heading toward the small break room at the back of the facility.
"Did you see the way she looked at him?" Emma whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"And the way he looked at her," Sarah replied with a knowing smile. "Like she's the only person in the room."
"I think our instructor has a boyfriend," Clara announced in a stage whisper.
"I can still hear you!" Hailey called after them.
"We know!" they chorused back before disappearing into the break room.
Once they were gone, Hailey walked over to Eric with quick steps. "I'm sorry about them. They're... enthusiastic."
"They seem to care about you," Eric observed, his eyes warm as they met hers.
"Sometimes too much," Hailey muttered. "What are you doing here? Not that I'm complaining."
"I was kind of free," Eric said casually. "So I came over to see you."
"Just like that?" she asked, unable to keep the smile from her face.
"Just like that," he confirmed. "Is that okay?"
"More than okay," Hailey said softly.
Eric looked around the facility, taking in the mirrors, the equipment, and the mats scattered across the floor. "This is quite a setup you have here. Very impressive."
"Thank you," Hailey said, pleased by his approval. "We work hard to maintain it. The girls deserve the best training environment possible."
"It shows," Eric said, nodding appreciatively. "Everything looks professional."
"Professional is what we aim for," Hailey agreed. "Safety first, then style."
"Are you busy?" Eric asked, turning his attention back to her.
"Not at all," Hailey replied quickly, perhaps a bit too quickly. "I just had the girls take a break so they could have some water."
"A very long break, from what I heard," Eric said with a grin.
"They needed it," Hailey said defensively. "We've been training hard today."
"Have you eaten?" she asked suddenly, concern creeping into her voice. "Are you hungry? I could order something, or we could go somewhere nearby. There's a great little cafe just down the street that makes amazing sandwiches, or if you prefer something more substantial, there's this Italian place that—"
"Is there a restroom here?" Eric interrupted, his voice taking on a different tone.
"Yes," Hailey said, pointing toward a hallway. "It's just down that way, past the storage rooms."
"Take me there," Eric said, his eyes meeting hers with a look that made her heart rate quicken.
"Right now?" Hailey asked, suddenly feeling nervous.
"Right now," Eric confirmed.
Hailey nodded and led him down the hallway, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished floor.
The hallway was lined with storage closets and office doors, with motivational posters hanging on the walls.
"I'm sorry the restroom is kind of far back," Hailey said as they walked. "We had to put it here because of the building's layout. It's not the most convenient, but—"
"That's good," Eric replied, his voice low and meaningful. "Nobody can hear us back here."
"Hear us do what?" Hailey asked, though her heart was already racing.
They reached the restroom door, and Hailey stepped aside to let him in. But Eric pulled her in and immediately turned the lock with a soft click.
"Eric, what are you—" Hailey began.
Before she could finish, Eric's hands were on her waist, pulling her against him.
His lips found hers in a kiss that was hungry and urgent.
For a second, Hailey tried to resist.
"Eric," she breathed against his lips. "We shouldn't... the girls are just down the hall."
"They're on break," Eric whispered, his lips moving to her neck. "A very long break, remember? You made sure of that."
"But they might come looking for me," Hailey protested weakly.
"Then we'll have to be quiet," Eric murmured against her ear.
He pressed her back against the door, his hands moving to her hair, freeing it from the ponytail so that it cascaded around her shoulders.
"I've been thinking about you all day," he whispered.
"All day?" Hailey asked breathlessly.
"Every minute," Eric confirmed, his breath warm against her skin.
"Eric!" she gasped as he lifted her up, her legs wrapping around his waist.
---
Later, the afternoon sun had shifted by the time they made their way back to Hailey's apartment. Eric looked around her living room with interest.
"Have I ever told you I like your place?" Eric said, settling onto the soft couch.
"You may have mentioned it once or twice," Hailey replied, sitting beside him and tucking her legs underneath her.
"It's very... you," Eric said, taking in the colorful throw pillows and the coffee table stacked with fitness magazines.
"Is that a good thing?" Hailey asked, following his gaze to the framed photos on the walls showing her in various action poses.
"It's perfect," Eric said, pulling her closer. "Just like you."
"You're just saying that," Hailey said, but she was smiling.
"I never just say things," Eric replied seriously. "I mean everything I say to you."
"Everything?" Hailey asked, looking up at him.
"Everything," Eric confirmed, leaning down to kiss her.