“Sure, Dale.” I yawn, sit down on the chair next to him and rub my calf muscles.
“I know that look. That’s theoh-my-Lord-Maisie’s-in-townface.” Dale’s eyebrows shoot up as he munches on his cake.
“You got it. She woke me up this morning bending herself into a pretzel and chanting. Part of her meditation to get a winner’s mentality, or something. It wasloud.” I shake my head.
Dale laughs. “Wow, just what you want to be woken up to after a hard personal training session the night before.”
“Yeah, I’m aching today. And Cole is so cute. Not that he’s gonna notice me since Maisie’s joined the gym.” I roll my eyes.
“Wait - what? Maisie’s already in the gym, flirting with your trainer? Fast work.” Dale looks enthralled. Cindy totters in to see what we’re talking about, her little claws clicking against the sparkly floor.
“Yeah, she’s made her presence known in her Barbie workout gym gear. I sound jealous, don’t I?” I shrug.
“Look, Lys, two can play at the game. What are you wearing for your sessions?” Dale appraises me while scooping Cindy up and kissing her head.
“Uh…one of my Dad’s old T-shirts and my school gym pants. I can’t compete with Maisie anyway, Dale, it’s useless.” I sigh.
“Yes you can. You are a beauty, Lys. She’s just got your and your parents' heads all screwed up with that pageant stuff. Any guy with half a brain realizes pretty quickly Maisie is hard work. That’s what all the crap with her love life is about. Take it from me, I watch theReal Housewives…I know all about drama.” Dale nods his head sagely.
I laugh. “Okay, then. So I need my fairy godmother to turn me into hot stuff and then my crush will realize I’m a princess?”
Dale’s eyes light up. “You know I love a makeover. Let’s go shopping during our lunch break and then I’ll give you a blow dry before your workout tomorrow.”
On Thursday evening I arrive at Langstones feeling a bit ridiculous. I’m wearing a pair of those hold-everything-in gym leggings and a fitted lilac coloured T-shirt. My hair is blow-dried into a swishy ponytail with a braided section wrapped around it. Dale’s also insisted on applying tinted moisturizer, waterproof mascara and lipgloss, even though I said I’d just sweat it all off.
It’s the last session, since we take late appointments at the salon on Thursdays, and it’s just Cole’s brother Aron at reception. He gives me a big smile and lets me know Cole is waiting for me inside.
I walk into the gym, which is quiet apart from the low-level playlist in the background. Cole pushes the door of the locker room open and waits there for a second, gazing at me. I look back at him, feeling like an idiot. There’s no one else here and we just stand there for a moment.
Cole clears his throat. “The stuff you’re wearing is good. I mean, it’s actually better when you workout to wear tight-fitting clothes so you don’t catch them in the weights. It’s more comfortable too.”
“I hope so. My boss at work talked me into it.” I walk over to the treadmill.
“You look great.” He’s still staring at me and it makes me self conscious. “Okay, let’s start with the warm-up. And tell me about what recipe you’re planning next.”
I’m silently thanking Dale for his braiding skills after an hour’s workout. My hair is still perfectly in place. I think my mascara has made it too.
Cole’s hands on me as I stretch out feel hotter than usual. Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t meet his eyes. The two of us together, alone in this empty gym, feels unbearably intimate. He’s fallen silent.
“Okay, we’re all done Alyssa.” His hands are still lightly resting on my lower legs. I sit up and meet his eyes.
“That was a good session. Wearing the right clothes does make a difference.” I can’t think of anything to say, even though I want to just sit here and look at him for as long as possible.
“It does. Ivar reckons he might turn his hand to designing some Langstone gym clothes. Although last week he decided he was the in-house DJ, so we’ll see if that sticks!” He smiles down at me. His face is close to mine. I can’t resist reaching up and wiping off a speck of fabric that’s caught in his stubble. It’s blue, like his workout vest.
He catches my hand. I take a deep breath. I wasn’t expecting that. He reaches out his fingers to cup my cheek. His huge hand is warm against my skin.
I don’t care that I’m all sweaty. I don’t care that he’s my personal trainer. All I want is for him to kiss me, right now, right here.
He stares into my eyes for a second and then impulsively crushes his lips against mine. The sensation is so good I let out an involuntary moan. His lips move against mine, his tongue exploring my mouth and I gasp slightly. My nipples are hard points under my tight T-shirt and my core is blazing. I never want this to end.
There’s a creak as the door from reception swings open and we leap apart. My cheeks are flushed bright red. Aron takes a long look at his brother and then marches through to the back room.
Cole looks down at me. “I’m sorry, Alyssa. That was a mistake. I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you like that. I understand if you want to cancel your sessions or train with someone else. I’ll let you get changed now.”
He walks to join his brother.
I’m breathing hard.
