“You look great, but you may need a haircut soon, eh brother?”
“I’m starting to like it,” Alex replied, pushing his long hair behind his ears.
“Well, it certainly won’t hurt your chances with the ladies. When Victoria sees you, she may have my parents arrange a marriage. She’s constantly talking about the gorgeous, long-haired, bearded men in her romance novels.”
Laughing out loud, Alex said, “Your sister is way too young for marriage, and I’ll beat up anyone who tries to make a move on her.”
Alex knew with two brothers, three if she counted him, Enzo’s sister might never get the chance to date, much less marry.
Love. Trust. Marriage.
Those were concepts he doubted he would ever find. His parents had demonstrated them, but his own experience had proved different. He didn’t realize he had zoned out until Enzo leaned over the desk and put his big, beefy hand on his, shaking him out of his haze.
“Hey, you good?”
Nodding vigorously to stave off his friend’s concern, Alex answered. “Yeah, man. All good.”
“Have you heard from her?”
“No, I blocked her a long time ago,” Alex answered with a scowl.
“Can’t lie. I’m glad to hear that. Bella’s the one who messed up, not you. Remember that.”
“Yeah, I know. Thanks, man.”
“Listen, I don’t have any more clients this afternoon. Did you bring a change of clothes so we can get in the ring? I may have some around here if you don’t.”
“Pfft. Your old gym clothes. No thanks,” Alex grimaced, glancing at the dirty coffee cup on the desk.
“Idiot. I was busy this morning and didn’t get to clean up yet. And the clothes are clean,” Enzo said defensively as he moved the cup away from Alex.
“Sofia’s the only one that can call me that. You have enough nicknames for me. But no, I wish I had time. I still haven’t seen Sofia and Papa yet. I tried calling but neither one answered. Was going to try again in a minute, see where they are.”
“Excuses, man. Excuses. You're just scared after the last time we got in the ring. Bet you didn't see that left hook coming,” he answered, his deep laugh filling the office.
Alex rubbed his jaw.“Yeah, you sucker punched me. My jaw has never been the same. Don't worry though. Revenge is coming my friend, and I won't fall for your tricks a second time.”
Enzo grinned like a Cheshire cat.
“Let's face it, Alex. You're getting old. You can't move like you used to.”
“We’re the same age, little man. And you only got that shot because you cheated. I still can't believe you shouted out her name.”
Enzo scowled at the nickname. “Hey, I had no idea it would actually work after all these years.”
Alex was certain his friend had known exactly what he was doing that day. There was no other name that would’ve gotten that response, not even Bella’s.
“Yeah, sure,” Alex answered, his eyes dancing with mirth and disbelief.
A gym employee knocked on the door and stepped in, telling Enzo there was a problem with a popular piece of equipment that had a line of clients waiting to use it.
“Sorry, man, gotta take care of this,” he said after assuring the young man that he would be right there.
He walked Alex back downstairs and to the door. Hugging him, Alex said, “I’ll see you tomorrow then. It’s going to be great to have the three of us together again, especially before Adrian leaves.”
“Looking forward to it.”
Alex tried Sofia and his dad as he got into his car, but the calls went to voicemail again.
