The Life Coach

The man’s name was Vance.

His apartment was already unpacked, which should have been impossible since he had only arrived an hour ago. The furniture was sleek, mid-century modern, and arranged with surgical precision. But the smell was what hit Caleb first. It didn't smell like cleaning supplies or cardboard. It smelled distinctly of copper and over-ripe peaches.

"Caleb," Vance said, testing the name like he was tasting a fine vintage. He poured a glass of dark red wine and shoved it into Caleb’s hand. Vance’s fingers brushed Caleb’s, and his skin was hot. Not warm—feverishly hot. "You have the face of a man who is waiting for a bus that already left."

Caleb blinked, holding the wine. "I... I guess. Just a long week. Month. Year."

Vance sat on the edge of a velvet armchair, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. His eyes were dark, almost black, and they didn't seem to blink often enough. "It’s February, Caleb. The month of desperate romantic gestures and overpriced cocoa. You have someone? A sweetheart?"

Caleb looked into his wine. "No. Not really."

"But you want one." It wasn't a question.

"There's... a woman at work," Caleb admitted, the wine loosening his tongue faster than it should have. "Maya. She sits three rows over. We talk at the coffee machine sometimes. She likes old movies."

Vance smiled. It was a wide, predatory expression that showed too many teeth. "Maya. A beautiful name. Illusion. Magic."

"She doesn't know I exist, mostly," Caleb mumbled.

"Because you don't exist, Caleb," Vance said softly. The insult was delivered with the tenderness of a caress. "Look at you. You blend into the drywall. You’re grey. To attract life, you must be vivid."

Vance stood up and walked over to Caleb, placing a heavy hand on his shoulder. The heat radiating from him was intense, seeping through Caleb’s cheap polyester shirt.

"I’m a facilitator, Caleb. A life coach, you could say. I help people find their... fullness. I can help you get Maya. By Valentine's Day, she won't just know you exist. She’ll be unable to look away."

"Why?" Caleb asked, looking up at the taller man. "Why would you help me?"

Vance squeezed his shoulder. "Because, Caleb. I need friends in this new world. And you look like you have so much... capacity. So much empty space inside you just waiting to be filled."