“So, what is the verdict?”
“Well I like this, but,” she paused for dramatic effect. “Yeah, it’s way tastier than my protein shakes. Can I try your dragon fruit smoothie?” He smiled and handed it over. She took a sip and smacked her lips. “Tart!”
He smiled. She handed it back and he savored it even more now that her mouth had been on his straw.
“Your favorite music is obviously rock,” he said, reading the name of the band on her shirt.
“Obviously. You?”
“Same, actually. I don’t know the band on your shirt, but I bet I’d like them.”
“So, why a gym?” She changed the subject.
“I’m a personal trainer. I come from money, so I had the funds to open it. I like being my own boss. I don’t take to authority very well; I blame that on my parents. I wish I could rebel against them and that makes me want to rebel against authority, though I’ve never been good at it. I have friends who are in my shoes and they are extremely rebellious, so I live vicariously through their rebellion. So, why flowers?”
“That’s a good question. I worked at this flower shop when I was younger. I found I enjoyed working with flowers and I was good at it.”
“You seem like someone who is a rebel.”
“I am. To the core.” She smiled. He laughed. “So, your family is strict?”
“They are old fashioned and set in their old-fashioned ways. Tradition is the cornerstone of those old-fashioned ways, and they have values and beliefs that I just can’t get behind. No matter how much they try to instill it in me, I just don’t share their values, and I never will.” He left out the fact that he was a dragon; that conversation would have to come later. If there was a later. He still had to figure out what he wanted to do about Phoebe. The wedding was set for a month from now. His mother had been working so hard on all the plans, and he hated disappointing her. At the same time, he hated being controlled by his parents, and he still didn’t know how Phoebe felt. They had barely had a moment alone together. When they did, she barely said a word.
It was nice to be with someone like Sarai, who was bubbly and talkative. She made him laugh, a lot, something he hadn’t done much with Phoebe, but still, what was this? What was he doing? He was engaged to Phoebe. He shouldn’t be sitting here with another woman, engaging in conversation. Oh, but the conversation was so interesting. Her stories were fascinating; he had never known anyone like her. They had a lot in common, too, from a similar taste in music to a love for running. They were completely different people who came from completely different backgrounds. In the end, they were so similar, more similar than he and Phoebe could ever be. The only thing they shared was that they were both dragons. “Maybe I should sign up for this race that you’re in.”
“You could if you wanted to, but you better not beat me.”
“Well, we could run together; I promise to keep pace with you.”
“Now, that I would like.”
“Good. So would I.”
“Oh my gosh, is that the time?” Sarai asked, looking up at the clock on the wall. He glanced up too. Then he noticed they were the only ones left, aside from the smoothie maker who was wiping down tables.
“It’s almost time to close up.”
“Take your time boss, we won’t start without you.” The other guy said.
“Start what?” Sarai asked.
“Nothing, it’s nothing important.” He brushed it off. There was a gathering of the shifters down on the secret floor underground. However, tonight he didn’t care if he missed the whole thing. He preferred the company of this human, and he wasn’t about to rush her out the door.
She laughed and got up and stretched. “This was fun.”
“It was.” He got up and stretched beside her. Anything to prolong the evening.
“Well, I should let you get to your not important thing, and let you close up.”
“Yeah. Come back again anytime. Now that you know how to use the machines, you can get a real workout in. I promise you, it’s going to be far better than what you do at home. Just trust me.”
“Well, you were right about the smoothie.” She blushed and he smiled. She was so beautiful. No, not beautiful. Phoebe was beautiful. Sarai was sexy. Sexy and irresistible.
He locked up for the night and walked her to her car. “Oh, looks like you have a flat tire. Do you have a spare? I’ll change it for you.”
“Nope, no spare.”
“Do you have Triple A?”
