Alan, our new trainer, pushes the door open with his foot and I run around the desk. I reach up and carry the box on the top of the stack he’s carrying, which is threatening to fall off at any moment.
“Thanks!” He looks at me. “Where do these go?”
“Follow me.” I walk around to the side door leading to our new storage area upstairs. Once we’re at the top of the stairs I point over to a pile of boxes in the corner.
Alan stands there, blocking the entrance back down the stairs.
“Are you okay?” This is out of character for him. In the two days he’s been here, he’s seemed pretty chirpy and fast-moving.
“Um. Would you like to get a drink after work? I’m not being creepy, it’s just that since I moved here I don’t know anyone and I’d love to get to know you better?” He grins nervously.
I stare back at him. I wasn’t expecting this. My first instinct is to say no, but there’s a sort of pleading look in his eyes. I know what it’s like to feel lonely and, suddenly, I change my mind.
“Sure. I know a great bar around the corner.” I walk forward and he steps to the side. I head downstairs. I haven’t been on a date in years.Many years.
It’s a shame Alan doesn’t stand a chance. I’m a one guy and one guy only kind of girl. I fell in love with Ivar ten years ago. Head over heels, from the first moment I set eyes on him charging through the halls at school, laughing his uncontrollable, joyous laugh.
It’s always been him. No one else compares.
Pity he has absolutely no idea.
ChapterTwo
IVAR
I’m fucking stressed fucking out.
Which is what my Dad used to say when he hammered a nail into his finger by mistake. And then he’d smile when he caught me listening and tell me not to snitch on him to Mom.
We’ve been running a skeleton staff at Langstones for too long. So after a fraught family meeting, we took on Theo as a permanent staff member and hired Alan to help. But it’s still not enough. Cole’s idea of expanding into the basement was great, as it gave us more space. But now we have so many new clients we’re starting to get packed out again.
Juni has the same stressed out, wide-eyed expression that I do. Usually we’d let off steam by joking around or doing a little dance routine, but there isn’t time for that now.
We both found out the other could dance at a high school party. I smile, remembering how we tried to outdo each other with ever more complicated choreography. I thought she’d be up for being my date to Prom, but she turned me down flat. I still don’t understand why, since we’d have shown all those fools what a real dance looks like.
Alan comes into the backroom of the gym as I’m preparing some weights for my client. He has a huge smile on his face.
“What you grinnin’ about, bud?” I ask. He looks like he’s going to pop.
“Juni’s going out with me tonight.” He arches one eyebrow. “She’s so gorgeous, I couldn’t resist asking.”
“You…Juni.What?” I can’t believe it.
“I’m taking her out for a drink.” He stretches to get a towel from the top shelf.
“That was quick.” I’m staring at him.
“Uh…yeah. I move fast. Beautiful girl like her will get snapped up quickly otherwise. Hey man, I haven’t overstepped the mark?” He pauses and looks over at me. Idiot.
I swallow. “We’re good friends. Best friends. Be aware that if you fuck up you’ll have me to deal with.”
He laughs nervously. “Yes, boss. It’s just a drink.”
I plaster on a smile. There’s a bitter taste in my mouth. Juni always says she’s got no time for dates. I guess I should be pleased she’s found someone she likes. But I won’t be responsible for my actions if that asshole hurts her feelings.
My client Mariette is waiting for me when I walk back out into the main floor. She’s attractive and always flirts her way through every session, but for some reason I’m not in the mood today.
I’m turning into one of those grumpy old men who can’t take pleasure in anything; at the grand old age of twenty-eight. I need a break.
