“She’s nosy. If you come, she’ll want to know everything about you and when we’re getting married.”
“I see.” Lina grimaced as she came up again.
Dillon smiled. “Ready to switch?”
“So ready.” Lina collapsed back, and Dillon released her ankles. She rolled off the bench and traded places with him.
Holding down his ankles was a workout in and of itself. She let him do his much quicker reps before asking her next question when he took a breather.
“What was your dad like?”
Dillon’s face softened. “He was a good dad. Nothing ever ruffled him. And when he talked, you listened, because he only spoke when he had something important to say. He and my mom were a true opposites-attract case. They loved each other a lot.”
“I’m sorry he’s not with you anymore.”
Dillon nodded. “Me too.”
He did another set of sit-ups and then rested his head on his hands and breathed deeply. “Do I get to hear about your family?”
Lina shrugged. “Let’s save that for another day. We need to talk strategy.”
OceanofPDF.com
Chapter 3
A peppy rapping sounded at the door, and Dillon checked the peephole, even though he was fairly certain it was Lina. She was rolling her fists and pretending to punch the door while she waited for him to answer. He couldn’t help watching for a few extra seconds before pulling the door open. He’d only ever seen her in workout clothes, but she cleaned up nice—makeup, jeans that hugged her curves, and her hair in loose curls around her shoulders.
“You missed our workout this morning,” she said in greeting as she picked up her plastic cake holder from the little wrought iron side table sitting outside. She smelled as good as she looked, and he breathed in deep. Pineapple and orange blossoms. Maybe today wouldn’t be so bad.
“It’s a holiday, so I slept in. You should try it some time. It’s awesome.”
Lina, who was slowly walking through his apartment and picking up various objects, turned and shook her head. “I’ve tried, but I can’t sleep in. It’s a curse.”
“What time do you wake up?”
“Around five. My eyes just pop open, and I’m immediately bombarded with everything I have to do that day. For example, this morning I woke up and remembered that I have to pretend to be your girlfriend.”
“Sorry to add to your stress.”
She waved it off. “If it wasn’t that, it would be something else.” She put down her cake and picked up one of Trent’s vintage Troll dolls from the display case in the corner. “You collect these?”
“No, that would be my brother, Trent. He’s a huge nerd.”
“A lawyer and a nerd, interesting combination. Does he mind you calling him a huge nerd?” She ran her fingers over the figure’s fuzzy, orange hair before moving down to touch the jewel on its belly.
“He’d admit it if he was here. Plus, I have to have this conversation with everyone who comes over and gives me the look you were giving me a minute ago.”
“What look?” Lina’s eyes widened in innocence.
“That guarded, what-the-heck-is-going-on look. Although yours held a lot less judgment, I have to admit.”
Lina glanced around. “I was just confused. You don’t seem like the type to collect these. Personally, I’ve always found their little red marble eyes to be creepy.”
“Me too.” Dillon stepped closer. “Check out what’s in the first drawer.”
She slid it open slowly and ran her hand over the serpentine pile. “Gum wrapper chains. I had a friend who used to make these.”
“Trent adds to it occasionally when he needs a brain break. See, here’s the end of it.” He held up the green end. Trent went through flavor phases. The last few feet were all made with spearmint wrappers.
