Jeremy was the master of walking away and forgetting. And if the thought of not seeing or touching Blake again made him sick, he’d push it aside as easily as Blake had pushed him away. The saddest thing was feeling unwanted by the one you wanted the most.
****
Two weeks later,Jeremy stood at the front of the gym and watched the contractors put the final touches on the installation of the refrigeration unit and sales counter, and he had to admit it looked damn good. For a moment he wished Blake could’ve been there with him, but Jeremy angrily pushed the thought out of his head. Despite his decision not to contact Blake, Jeremy had called and left him a few messages, asking if they could meet. When Blake didn’t return the calls, Jeremy even went to his apartment, hoping to find Blake at home, but no such luck. That was when it hit him that he’d been well and truly dumped, and it was time to move on.
“Excuse me?”
Jeremy glanced down to see a pretty red-headed woman at his side.
She looked familiar, but not being the best with names, he merely smiled at her.
“Are you putting in a juice bar?” Her eyes cut from him to the renovation and back to him again.
“I am.” Jeremy faced her and liked her warm brown eyes. “Do you think it’s a good idea?” He leaned against the wall and folded his arms. Seeing her spark of interest, pain flashed through him. He so didn’t want this. He wanted Blake. Still. But knowing it wasn’t happening, Jeremy forced himself.
“I think it’s great. I know my girlfriends and I always want something to snack on after our workouts. Some gyms have a lounge to hang out in. Are you considering that too?”
It hadn’t occurred to him, but he didn’t like that. For all that Jeremy knew gyms to be major hookup spots, that wasn’t what he wanted for his business.
“No. I wanted to have the juice bar, some grab-and-go items like bottled water, packaged hummus and veggies or pretzels, dried fruits, nuts, and maybe yogurt.”
“I think that sounds wonderful.” She held out her hand. “I’m Chelsea, by the way. We met when I first joined.”
“Jeremy.”
“I remember.”
He liked her directness. She didn’t seem to be the type who’d keep secrets from him. “How do you like working out here?”
“It’s a great place. Clean and up-to-date equipment. My friends and I have gone rock climbing.”
“Do you live around here?” Jeremy remembered this dance around the personal details.
“I do. Not far.”
He respected her not wanting to tell him her exact address.
She shifted her gym bag off her shoulder and placed it on the floor. “Would you like to go out tomorrow night maybe? Have a drink or get some sushi?”
Recalling his first date with Blake at the sushi place near them, he gnawed at his lip. “Ahh, how about something else? Do you like Thai? Or how about Ramen?”
Chelsea took a hair tie from her wrist and pulled her red curls into a ponytail. “Either one sounds great.” She gazed up at him expectantly, and Jeremy realized he was supposed to take her number. God, he was so out of it.
“Why don’t you give me your number?”
After Chelsea recited her digits and he texted her so that she had his number, they parted ways.
“She’s been dying to go out with you.”
Gino stood at his shoulder, and Jeremy jumped.
“Jesus, give a guy a little notice before you creep up on him.”
“Sorry.” But from his grin, Gino looked anything but. “I’m only telling you because I’ve seen her checking you out every time she’s here and you’re on the floor.”
“Well, we’re going out tomorrow night.” The words tasted bitter in his mouth, though he tried to sound upbeat.
But Gino was no fool and gave him an unexpected, gentle pat on the shoulder. “I’m sorry. I know you’re still having a hard time getting over Blake. But this is the best way to do it.” He hurried back to the check-in desk where Benny waited.
