He flashes me a pearly white smile. “That’s not it. You’re sweet and loyal, kind and understanding.” God, I want to cry as he says that. “Now, go down there and kiss him goodbye.”
I shift awkwardly on my feet, feeling weirdly emotional that Gabe’s friend thinks of me that way.My friend.
“Thanks for saying that. It means a lot to me. I’m glad we’re friends too,” I mumble.
“God, you two are perfect for each other.” He sighs fondly.
“Later, Ciarán,” I say, laughing as I move to leave.
“Bye,” he singsongs, putting both earbuds back in as he turns back to the kitchen.
I shake my head, still smiling as I jog down the steps. I slow when I hit the bottom, turning toward the counter. I don’t really care how late I am, it’s physically impossible for me to walk past this man, and Ineedmy kiss goodbye. I’m not even trying to play it cool anymore. Did I ever? Probably not.
Gabe’s fixing up the register for the day.
“Hey, again,” I say, leaning over into his space.
He glances up, and that pink still lingers high on his cheekbones. Embarrassed, sure, but there’s a pleased curve to his mouth. Like maybe, hopefully, he doesn’t regret anything that happened upstairs.
“Hi, again,” he replies, in that deep, hushed voice of his.
I step around the counter so we’re side by side. This irresistible pull I have to be close to him grows each day. “I was thinking—” I scratch the back of my neck, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious. I love our morning runs together. Even if my legs don’t. “Since we missed our run, want to go after I finish at the gym? I know we usually just go in the morning, but I thought we could head down to the lake, watch the sunset.”
I need time to plan a proper date, something special that Gabe could enjoy, somewhere he’d feel safe and comfortable. So I know going to the lake isn’t really a date, but it could be pretty romantic. For a second, something flickers across his face. Hesitation, or nerves maybe, and I start to backtrack. “We don’t have to,” I start, “I just thought—”
“Yes,” he says quickly, cutting me off. His eyes dart to mine, blinking a few times. “I’d love that.”
Relief hits me in a rush, and I grin at him. “Cool. I’ll text you when I’m done, then.”
He nods, smiling, brushing his hair back off his forehead. I lean in and kiss the corner of his mouth again. I can’t pass up the opportunity to feel the curve of his mouth against my lips.
I back toward the door, throwing him a crooked grin and a wink. “Try not to miss me too much.”
I can hear his laugh as I leave the store, soft and deep, and so fucking beautiful.
When I get to the gym, it’s close to nine, and everything is in full swing. Jules is showing a new client how to work the machines, and Zeke is behind the desk.
I drop my bag in the office and head straight for the sound system.
“You’re late,” Zeke calls without looking up.
“I know,” I say with a smirk, already queuing a playlist. “Worth it.”
He snorts but doesn’t ask questions. A second later, the opening beat ofAC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long”fills the gym. Jules gripes from across the floor. “Man, not again. Can’t we have one day without the eighties, just one.”
“Not when I’m here,” I say, smirking and turning the volume up.
Seriously, I don’t understand what everyone’s problem with my music is. A satisfied grin creeps onto my face. Gabe said he likes my music. Said I should play it more athome.
Once the music’s sorted, I get to work answering a few questions at the desk, spotting one of our regulars, and settingup a circuit for a group session later. It’s busy enough, the kind of day that usually flies by.
Not today. Today, everything I do seems to circle back to Gabe. The way he looked this morning, flushed and shy and pleased, keeps replaying in my head, sneaking up on me when I’m loading plates or adjusting someone’s form. The memory of him grinding on me, coming apart above me, hits me so hard at one point that I have to turn and take a breath before I embarrass myself in front of a client. I can do without being arrested for public indecency.
I make it through the day on autopilot, but the whole time, I’m watching the clock. Waiting to see him again.
When the last client leaves, I grab my phone and fire a text off to Gabe.
Me:Heading out now. Meet me on Main?
