So no one had missed the fact she and Gavin were more than friendly.
“First of all, yes, that’s true, Scott and I are going to get engaged soon.” Cleo sounded proud and happy. “And second, I was only teasing. Gavin is built. Anyone can see that. He’s also Zoe’sfriend, and I would never move in on a friend’sfriend.”
“Okay, you two, stop with all thefriendemphasis. And while we’re here, if you can stop going at each other’s throats, that would be super helpful too. Now, what is it you wanted to meet with me about, Mr. Swanson?”
He’d been chewing and had to swallow first to talk. Gavin returned and sat next to her, across from Swanson. Everyone watched Gavin and his tiny tray of food.
“What?”
“Eat much?” Cleo eyed his plate. “That’s a salad. Shouldn’t you eat something with meat or protein?”
“I have a tuna melt coming up,” he said. “Go on. Don’t let me interrupt you. I’m starving anyway.” While Gavin tucked into his salad, Zoe waited for Swanson to speak.
He sighed. “First, you might as well call me Mark. It’s been four years. I think we’re past the point of being distant professional colleagues.”
“So now you’re what?” Cleo asked, a dimple in her cheek. “Closer professional colleagues? Or, gasp, friends, even?”
“Colleagues is fine, Cleo.” Mark shook his head. “I still have no idea who you bribed to get to such an important position in the group. It’s not as if you’re a people person.”
“I’m a little more people-oriented than you are,” Cleo snapped.
Gavin chuckled. “Who would have thought medical talk could be so entertaining?”
“I know, right?” Zoe accepted the hand he put on her thigh, feeling melty inside. She squeezed his hand, then put hers back on the table.
“I’m sorry,” Mark apologized, not to Cleo, but to Gavin. “Cleo’s a little too autocratic for my taste. Now Zoe, on the other hand, ismucheasier to work with.” He shot her a blinding smile. “So about that training for the new staff. I was wondering if we could make that happen as early as this Friday…”
Minutes later, still baffled at how she’d agreed to make something happen with only one trainer available, Zoe realized Cleo had segued the conversation.
Cleo was asking Gavin, “So you work at Jameson’s Gym, huh? The one in Green Lake?”
“Yep.” He had returned moments ago with his tuna melt and ate in small bites. Odd, because she’d have thought him the type to chomp down his food. Lord knew he burned his calories honestly.
“I’ve been thinking about switching from my place.”
“You should come check us out. We have free trial memberships. And if you tell the front desk I sent you, they’ll give you a few extra days as well.” Gavin turned to Swanson—Mark. “You too, Mark. The facilities are top-notch, and the owner’s a hell of a guy.”
Mark nodded. “Thanks. So how long have you been a trainer?”
“Since he got out of the Marine Corps, right?” Cleo nodded. “A few of our staff go to the gym, and they mentioned the terrific self-defense instructors.” She gave a smile. “That’s you, right?”
“Yep. Me and my brother.”
“So you were in the Marines?” Mark’s gaze sharpened.
Zoe noticed the stillness that seemed to come over Gavin before he shrugged and smiled. “Guilty as charged. Infantry all the way.”
“Did you like it?” Cleo asked, and Zoe wanted to tell her to stop prying. Though Gavin looked fine, she could sense his disquiet.
“It’s a terrific institution. A brotherhood, excuse the expression,” he said to Zoe and Cleo, “that you’re hard-pressed to find anywhere else. The civilian sector is way different.”
“I’ll bet,” Mark said. “How long were you in?”
“Fourteen years. Got out thanks to a bullet. But it’s all good,” Gavin added with a grin at Zoe. “You meet some of the most interesting people in Seattle.”
Cleo laughed. “Yeah, you do. That’s where I met Scott. He’s a sergeant in the Army.”
“I’m sorry,” Gavin said.
