"You don't call. Don't text." Serena started as she walked into the room once the last person left the session with two iced lattes in hand. "Not even a carrier pigeon."

Aleena chuckled, tugging the waistband of her skort up as she stood. "I was tired."  She accepted the cup from her and added "I barely had enough energy to get in bed" before taking a sip of the matcha.

Serena eyed her with suspicion rattling the ice in her cup as the morning sun rained in the room igniting the shine in the sleek ponytail over her shoulder.

"What?" Aleena questioned, postponing her gulp.

"I know you've been out of the scene for a couple of years," Serena stopped shaking her ice. "But safe sex isn't just about contraceptives. You have to let someone know you got home safe after a session."

"A session?"

"I like it more than 'hookup'." Serena explained. "It sounds more modern."

"Got it." Aleena nodded. "But DeMarcus was home. So, I followed the safety protocol."

"He really followed through." Serena's eyes lit up with surprise. It had been regular for him to not be home and that was even before the status of the marriage changed. It was a common gripe she had to listen to during conversations. "I guess old dogs can learn new tricks."

"Don't do that." Aleena insisted. "He's not a dog."

Serena's eyebrows furrowed with a tilt of the head as if thoughts of disagreement fluttered through her mind but she moved on. "What did he say when you got home?"

"Nothing." Aleena went back to sanitizing the machines. Most of the people cleaned them but some were not as thorough as others and she wasn't going to risk anyone's health. "Honestly, it was a blur. I just crashed."

"Wow!" Serena plopped down on a cleaned bench and crossed her legs. "So, you had fun, fun with Achilles."

"Apollo."

Serena shrugged. "Does his name really matter?"

"It does." She stopped wiping. "He's a person." She let her sight drift as a light smile formed on her lips as she thought about last night then refocused on her friend and business partner. "A kind, generous, and thoughtful person."

"Yes." Serena agreed then added. "I saw the flowers on my way in."

"He wants to take me kayaking next week." She started back wiping. "Then get kebabs after."

"That sounds nice." Serena declared then sighed. "Now, I'm certain my picker is broken because you remember the guy I was talking to?" Aleena nodded vaguely remembering the man Serena hit it off with at the club then hooked up with in his car. At least it was a Bentley.

"He went Casper." Serena continued. "Haven't heard from him since."

"I'm sorry. It's his—" Aleena's words were cut short by the arrival of another person. "What are you doing here?"

Tyrese entered the room flashed a smile then his features went back to serious just like his all-black business casual wardrobe. "I have a few questions about one of your clients." His words had the attention of both of the women as he stood before them. "Do you recall a 'Peter Hamilton'?"

"Yes." Aleena spoke up. "He was in my Pilates class, I think yesterday." She smiled to herself then added. "He was the last to leave because he needed help with boomerang."

"That's an abs killer." Serena added and Aleena nodded.

Tyrese looked between the both of them not knowing what they're referring to.

"But what is this about?" Aleena asked.

"Mr. Hamilton was found unconscious in an alleyway." Tyrese informed and the women gasped in unison. "It was a light traffic day. There aren't any cameras on the corner."

"It's a quiet neighborhood." Serena explained. "We don't have any but maybe we should."

"Maybe." Aleena agreed. "Do you think someone followed him? Was he mugged?"

"He still had three hundred dollars in his wallet and his car was in the parking lot so it wasn't a robbery." Tyrese folded his arms. "It's most likely an attack for a personal reason. Mr. Hamilton didn't get in an altercation or have bad words with anyone while he was here."

Aleena shook her head. "No. It was a usual, mundane class. He was pleasant. He even gave me a hug after." She smiled thinking about it then snapped remembering why he gave her the hug. "He's new to the area. Moved from Miami. Can you tell me what hospital he's at. I want to visit him."

"I'll go with you." Serena quipped.

"He's at Concord Memorial." Tyrese offered. "If you remember anything later like suspicious people loitering or anyone with a temper let me know."

"Absolutely." Aleena affirmed.

Tyrese gestured to her. "Shouldn't you be heading out by now. The gala."

"Can't make it. Covering an evening class." Aleena toyed with her wedding band feeling guilty for not being able to accompany DeMarcus. "But I'm planning something special for him tonight when he gets home."

"Nice. He's lucky to have you." Tyrese stroked her shoulder softly then made his exit as quietly as he came.

"I don't think you should walk home tonight." Serena suggested.

"You might be right." Aleena was unsure if it was necessary to take more precaution than the pepper spray on her keychain. She knew very little about Peter Hamiliton but he didn't seem like someone that would start a fight. She sighed feeling sad for the ordeal the man was going through and went back to preparing for the next class.