Finally, a real question. Good job, brain!
“Almost ten years now. I got certified in college so I could teach on campus, and I’ve added the other certifications—children’s, advanced and prenatal yoga, and pilates—throughout the years.”
“Great.”
Fuck. Why couldn’t he think of anything else to ask?
He should ask more about kids’ classes, because that sounded like a great idea, but his brain was moving too slowly to form the words. Madison wouldlove the idea of them.
Chase came to his rescue yet again.
“I studied kinesiology and minored in business. I decided I wanted to do something with fitness, but I wasn’t entirely sure what, so I’ve tried a little bit of everything.”
From there, Chase kept the conversation flowing. It was mostly one-sided, but Tobias didn’t mind. If yoga didn’t work out, maybe he could hire Chase to do all the talking for him.
Wouldn’t that be nice?
He laid out his entire professional history, but Tobias still wanted to know more.
“Have you lived in Cherrywood long?”
If Tobias hadn’t been paying close attention to Chase’s face, he might have missed the wince, and he was dying to know what caused it.
“No, I grew up in Collingswood and moved to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, when I was in high school. I stayed there through college, until I moved to Cherrywood last year.”
He could tell Chase wanted a change of subject, but he panicked and asked something he probably shouldn’t have.
“Are you single?”
Chase gave him a blank stare, likely wondering why the hell he asked that, so Tobias decided to dig himself a hole.
“I’m only asking because if you work here, it comes with a free membership, and your partner would be eligible for a discounted membership.”
That wasn’t something he’d ever mentioned to any other employees before, but he didn’t know what else to say to cover up that question. Looks like he’d have to let the rest of his employees know before Chase found out the discount didn’t exist.
It seemed to work because Chase brightened.
“Oh, that’s an awesome perk. But I don’t have anyone right now. I’m single.”
‘Don’t you fucking dare smile.’
Why would I smile? It’s not like I can date him. He’s gonna be my employee.
‘Okay, then maybe ask him some damn interview questions.’
He hated it when he argued with himself, but he couldn’t help it. And people wondered why he was so quiet. He was busy talking to himself.
“Okay, so, when can you start?”
He mentally facepalmed, but it didn’t matter because Chase was smiling at him.
“As soon as you can take me, boss,” he said, sticking out his hand to shake on it before Tobias could rethink anything.
Jesus, did he have to phrase it that way?
When he shook Chase’s hand, he again felt a spark.
Now, all he had to worry about was burying it.
