A few more moms say something similar before I have a moment to respond. Greer turns her head to me. She’s biting her bottom lip as if it’s going to help contain the smile on her face. I’m not sure which one distracts me more.
Or maybe it’s how close she is, or maybe it’s when she leans in and her scent surrounds me, but right here, right now, I have to remember one thing: Greer is doing me a favor, and I should not screw it up by making a move on her.
But hell, those lips. The things I would love to see them do.
“I don’t think they’ll be chatting my ear off,” she says quietly. “It’syouthey want to talk to.” She nudges my hips.
It was a simple poke, but my body reacts like some lovesick high school boy.
I turn to the field just as all the boys run out to scrimmage.
Hiring the first woman my body has reacted to in years may not have been the best plan.
CHAPTER SEVEN
GREER
For as long as I can remember, taking care of myself and others has been what I love to do. Whether it’s physical or emotional, I want to do the best that I can.
I sip my smoothie and review today’s calendar. I have two more clients before I head off to Simon’s to grab Grey.
I smile to myself.
Those moms loved Simon. When I show up tomorrow, there’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll get a stink-eye or two, but who can blame them? Simon is this mysterious dad. I’m sure they’re all wondering why he isn’t dating, why a man who looks like him has never been married. I didn’t look close enough to see if all of them were married, but I’m sure if there was a single one, she would have made a move by now.
But once they get a real dose of the grumpy ole Simon, I bet they’d be singing a different tune.
“Morning,” Willa says, popping into the back of the studio from our connecting door.
“Good morning,” I reply as she takes a seat across from me. “Busy day?”
“A little.” She grabs her phone. “Natalie Miller is coming in today. She’s been wanting to check out my meal plans, and she asked if you had any openings.”
“Oh, I love that. Natalie is so sweet. It would be nice to know her a little better.”
Since joining Willa’s group of friends a couple of years ago, I’ve met Natalie a handful of times. She spends a lot of time with her boyfriend these days, though. So I don’t think anyone sees her as much as they used to.
“Me too.”
“Hello, anybody here?” Calla calls out, appearing from behind me as well. She strolls in with a big smile and a tray of coffees from Love’s a Brewing, her sister-in-law’s coffee shop. “I brought coffee.”
She sets the tray down and rolls one of my workout balls over to sit.
Seeing as this side of the company is for working out, and I typically have only one client at a time, seating is limited. Which, I’m sure, is why she went to Willa’s side first.
“To what do we owe this pleasure?” Willa asks.
“I have a super busy day today and thought I’d stop in to see my friends before the chaos began.”
“Aww, I know we hardly see each other these days. Where even does the time go?” I ask.
“Tell me about it,” Willa agrees. “I have full days and then Zane wants all my free time,” she says like it’s a hardship, but the smile on her face claims otherwise.
“Same.” Calla giggles and points at me with her bagel. “You have the most free time of all of us. Tell us what it’s like.”
I smile but a part of my chest aches. Being alone isn’t as glamorous as everyone makes it out to be. Yes, it’s important, but it’s lonely.
“Actually,” I say, “I have a little part-time gig to keep me busy until school starts.”
