We first spotted the new trainer a couple of weeks ago as he walked out of the steam room shirtless. Hard to miss him. A guy with that kind of body doesn’t cross your path often, even at our fancy gym. The guy’s flawless muscular chest had Jas, Lily, and I all feeling like we had been in the steam room for an hour too.
As he wandered past, wiping his chest with his towel, he casually said hello. If it was such a thing anymore, the three of us would have swooned.
I’ve seen him around the gym a couple of times since wearing the black “Fitnow” branded polo shirt.
Watching Lily talking toSteamy Gym Guy,as we've nicknamed him, she seems to have her flirt on. I recognize her signature flirty moves as she flicks her ponytail and giggles at something he's just said to her. You go girl, I think to myself. Silently high-fiving Lily for going after what she wants.
Lily was so shy when we first met her in college, and now while still the quietest of the three of us, she is a confident, successful financial whiz. Mixing it up with all the big boys in the boardroom. I’m so proud of her.
I decide to give the bikes a miss today as I don’t want to interrupt Lily while she is in full flow. Instead, I move over to the floor mats to work on my abs. Punishment for all the chocolate yesterday I tell myself.
Shortly after, Lily joins me her face a little flushed. I suspect it’s not from her bike workout but instead her chat withSteamy Gym Guy. Smiling at Lily in a way that says I know exactly what she's been up to, she says, “What?” As if butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth.
Oh, she is most definitely going to be interrogated over her little flirt fest, but I’ll save her embarrassment till the walk back home. And I do, as soon as we are walking home.
“So Lily, how long has that been going on?”
“Has what been going on?” she asks innocently.
Laughing out loud. “Don’t play the innocent with me, miss Lily. I saw the way you were flirting withSteamy Gym Guy.Twisting your ponytail and fluttering your eyelashes. Certainly, didn’t seem to me like you were discussing the weather. Now I know why you’ve been super interested in going to the gym. Come on, spill.”
“Nothing is going on betweenSteamy Gym Guyand me. I don’t even know his name, and we’ve chatted only a few times. Today he offered to help me with my positioning on the bike. So, I don’t hurt my back.”
“Oh, I bet he had some suggestions around positioning you.” And we both burst into fits of laughter. I can’t wait to fill Jas in on Lily andSteamy Gym Guy.
Trying to get a grip on her laughter. “Let’s get on home. I need a shower. I’m hot and sweaty.”
“I imagine you are, and it’s not from exerting yourself on the bikes.” I can’t resist a final poke. Lily doubles over laughing again. “Stop, my ribs hurt.”
I cut her a break, and when we can walk again, we continue in silence. Mainly because we can’t even make eye contact with each other without cracking up laughing again.
Stepping through the door of my local Italian restaurant on Wednesday night, I’m pleased to see Luke sitting at a table already perusing the menu.Steamy Gym Guyis nothing compared to Luke in a suit. I’m guessing he has come straight from work.
The restaurant is close to home for me, so I was able to change from my work clothes into denim jeans, a white fitted T-shirt, and my new DKNY black blazer. Casual and comfortable. I’m still feeling nervous seeing Luke again, but the butterflies in my stomach tonight have been stilled by a sneaky shot of tequila before I left my apartment.
Walking up to the table, Luke doesn’t realize I’ve arrived till I’m standing beside him. He jumps up from his seat, a smile stretching his full lips, “Hey, you’re here. Wow, you’re gorgeous,” he stammers.
It's nice to have surprised him, especially as he now seems to be the one flustered instead of me. He steps around me to pull out my chair.
I’m glad he hasn’t given me a kiss on the cheek as it suits me to keep a little distance at this stage.
When we're both seated, he apologizes, “Sorry, I was so engrossed in the menu I missed seeing you arrive.”
“Did you see anything you like?” I ask before realizing the innuendo in my question.
Of course Luke doesn’t miss the slip, and gazing directly into my eyes, he says seductively, “Yes, totally.”
My heart is pounding. It’s a wonder the whole restaurant can’t hear it.
Then tilting his head in a way that reminds me of the younger man. “Oh, you mean the menu, yep that looks tasty too.”
His mischievous comment makes me smile and blush a little.
I guess this is how he plans to play tonight. Lots of sexy voiced teasing and flirting. I am in so much trouble as resisting Luke in this mood will be much more difficult.
I pick up the menu from the table and pretend to concentrate on reading the choices, even though I know the menu off by heart already.
“I think I might have the spaghetti carbonara,” I say, raising my eyes from the menu to see Luke grinning at me, “What are you smiling at?” I ask, even though the voice inside my head is telling me not to.
