Chapter 3
Kofi
WHETHER SHE KNEW ITor not, Gina made a huge difference in my life. I was smiling more often, and seeing her brightened my days. Three weeks had gone by with us falling into a rhythm. At least twice each week, we either wound up at a coffee shop or restaurant, sharing eats, drinks and conversation. I found out more about her in the last three weeks than I'd learned in all the time I knew her.
I still hadn't told her I wasn't employed atWorkout Boost, but I continued spotting for her and helping with her workout. Gradually, I eased her into a more demanding routine and gave her exercises to build her endurance. She was a trooper. Though she complained sometimes, she never backed away from a challenge.
Now, she stood before the mirror poking her bicep. "See that?"
I squinted as if I was having a hard time seeing what she was showing me. "I think I do."
She rolled her eyes. "You just don't want to admit that my hard work is paying off."
"Why do you think I wouldn't want to admit you've done well?” I shrugged and kept a serious expression on my face. “You're walking proof of how brilliant and effective I am as a trainer."
"And also that you have a big head."
The moment the words came out of her mouth, Gina covered her lips with her fingers and faced me. Her bright eyes opened wide as if she'd done something wrong. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that the way it sounded."
Taking both her hands in mine, I looked into her eyes. "You have got to stop this. I have been learning English for a long time, so I understand ninety-nine per cent of what you say."
I took her by the shoulders. "It's okay. Really. I will not be insulted by anything you tell me."
She stopped acting as if she’d caused a catastrophe and her smile came back. "Sorry, I lost it there for a moment. I thought I offended you."
"You didn't. Relax."
"Okay." She stepped away from me, taking a deep breath. "Glad to hear that."
The pulse at the base of her neck was beating hard enough for me to see it. I reached up and brushed my thumb there. She gasped, and my gaze went to hers. Her tongue ran over her lip, drawing my attention. Hey pupils were dilated, and if we were anywhere else, I would have kissed her.
Someone banged the weights together and it pulled me out of the vacuum I'd fallen into. I touched Gina's cheek. "Don't worry about it. I'll let you know if you ever offend me, okay?"
She nodded and edged away from me as if she suddenly noticed how close we were standing.
I wrapped my hand around her arm and waited for her to look at me. When she did, I said what was on my mind. "Let's go out tonight."
She blinked, once, twice and then frowned. "You mean like on a date?"
"Why not?"
A pair of tiny lines formed between her brows while she thought about it. Then her gaze came back to my face. "Sure. Like you said, why not?"
"It took you that long to decide, huh?"
Her button nose expanded a little and she looked uncertain of what to say next. Then, she laughed. "Seeing that I have a thousand things to do, I had to check my calendar."
"Right."
We both knew she'd be going home to work at her computer or read. By now, I knew she loved creating ads, book covers and logos, plus reading everything she laid hands on.
"So, you're meeting me out front in ten?"
"Does it make sense for you to take me home and then come back to get me? I can get a cab."
