“Are you the youngest?” I’m trying to distract him for as long as possible so he doesn’t make me lift any more weights.
“I’m the middle boy. Ivar’s the youngest. You’ll know when he’s around because of his laugh. Let’s just say it’s…distinctive.”
As if on cue, there’s a whooping noise from the reception that’s like a cross between a wolf’s howl and the “tee-hee-hee” noise of a cartoon character.
Cole raises his eyebrows at me and I can’t help laughing a little myself. “Are we done now?”
“Had enough?” He stares down at me.
“I’m just… out of shape. I think my muscles are crying.” I stretch my arms out.
“Okay, we’ll finish with some sit-ups and then stretch it out.” He gestures at the mats.
I never knew there were so many types of sit-ups. My abdominal muscles ache, along with everything else.
Cole joins me on the mat, maneuvering my body into different stretches. Despite my baggy T-shirt I feel incredibly self-conscious, firstly because his hands are on me and secondly that this is happening in front of everyone at the gym. It’s like I’ve got a big red flashing sign over my head with an arrow pointing down which shows I have a massive crush on my personal trainer.
He brings my arms across my body and then over my head, and despite my nervousness there’s a deep, unfulfilled ache in my core. I lick my lips and close my eyes, imagining what it would be like to feel his huge body pressing down on mine.
“Lys?”
Oh no. I didn’t think she would get here until tomorrow. It’s like having a bucket of cold water thrown on me.
I ease my eyes open as Cole lets go of my arms and we both look up.
My sister Maisie is standing there. She’s wearing tightly fitting, slightly shiny gym leggings and a deeply scooped cropped top to show off her cleavage and flat stomach. Her expensively streaked blonde hair is in a bouncy ponytail and she has her natural look makeup on which only involves one set of eyelashes.
I sit up, groaning quietly as my stomach protests. “Hey, Maisie. Cole, this is my sister.”
I drop my eyes as he says hello. I’m well aware of the effect my sister has on every man in her vicinity. She was the popular girl at school and I learned quickly that any guy with a passing interest in me would lose interest pretty quickly once he set eyes on her. Not that she was interested in high school boys, setting her sights quickly on the business men and minor celebrities who could help her in the pageant scene.
Maisie crouches down as Cole walks away to get my towel and water bottle from by the weights rack. “He’shot, Lys. I’m free, single and in need of distraction right now. Never hooked up with a personal trainer before.” She makes it sound like a done deal.
I sigh and change the subject. “How come you’re here early?”
She stares at me. “You don’t sound that happy. I thought we could spend some girl time together.”
“Sure, it’s great you’re here. I would have liked to get stuff ready for you though.” I look down at my sneakers again.
“Don’t worry about it, hon. I’m easy to please.” She smiles, showing her bright white veneers, before her attention is caught by Cole walking back towards us.
She stands up and bats her eyelashes at him. “I’m only in town for the festival, since I’m the reigning Miss Pumpkin Pie 2021 and Miss Corn Cob.AndI’ll represent the state in the USOA pageant this year. That’s the biggie. Anyway, I’ll need a pass to keep in shape while I’m in town. Could you arrange that for me?”
Cole looks slightly confused. “Okay. I’ll go have a word with Juni at reception and let her know. Nice to meet you. Take a hot bath tonight to help the sore muscles Alyssa, and I’ll see you on Thursday.”
I nod my head. My arms are probably still trembling.
I manage to escape Maisie’s beauty pageant chat for a whole hour in the evening while I run a hot bath with lots of sweet-smelling salts. The previous owner installed a jacuzzi tub that has lots of fancy jets which help to soothe my aching muscles. Maisie goes to bed early to get her beauty sleep and I lie awake thinking of Cole. I can’t help myself; I have a total crush on him. His rare smiles, the one time I’ve made him laugh, the little wrinkle in between his eyebrows as he looks down at me, his huge frame.
Except he won’t look at me now Maisie’s in town.
I flip the pillow over to the cool side. I need to stop being so pathetic. I joined the gym to get in shape, not torture myself about my unattainable trainer. Anyway, isn’t there some rule about trainers and gym clients?
The next day at work, I’m quieter than usual. Maisie woke me up early chanting and doing noisy, energetic yoga stretches that made my wooden floors creak. She was getting ready to go to the gym when I left for work.
Dale brings me a cup of coffee as I’m blow drying Mrs Anique’s hair. I finish up and join him in the back room to grab a snack.
“This cake is incredible, Ms Lys. Can you make some for our stall? We’ll be the talk of the festival with my patter and your cakes.” He winks.
