The corner of her mouth twitches. “Are you interested in joining the class?
“I… Um.”Say something.Anything. “I was curious.”
“Don’t be embarrassed.” She nods to the studio, her posture relaxing. “Pole is a great workout. It will help you increase strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health. And it can really spice things up in the bedroom.”
Heat stings my face and I silently pray the floor will swallow me whole.
This is what you get for obsessing over a woman you barely know.
I’d like to know her. That’s the whole point of this stupid exercise.
“I think maybe I’m in the wrong place.” I rub the back of my neck. Like my face, it’s scorching hot. “I should go.”
“Nonsense.” She offers me an indulgent smile. “At least come in and try a free class before you decide. Some of my best students over the years have been men.”
I have no idea if she’s bullshitting me right now, but even if she’s serious, I doubt her best students have been three-hundred-pound linemen with dad bods.
It’s just one class.
And it could be my only chance to talk to Piper.
You’re either in or you’re out.Which is it?
“You think those poles will hold my weight?”
“Absolutely. There are no weight limits for pole. I’m Mai, by the way.” She offers her hand and I shake it, prepared to go all in. “Now let’s go introduce you to your new favorite sport.”
I follow Mai into the studio and while she takes up her position at the front of the class, I head to the cubbies to dump my socks and shoes. My size fifteen sneakers are way too large for the bin, so I put them on top of the shelf. They hang over the edge, but at least no one will trip on them.
When I turn around, there are thirteen pairs of eyes tracking my every move.
I’m no stranger to public scrutiny—I play D1 football, after all—but it’s still unnerving. I force a smile and make my way to the back row, pretending not to notice the curious stares.
It doesn’t matter.
I’m not here for them. I’m here for Piper.
And Piper? She doesn’t look thrilled to see me.
Her eyes narrow as I take up my position at the pole next to hers.
“Oh, no you don’t.” She shakes her head, ponytail swinging. “That pole is taken.”
I make a show of looking around, buying time as I consider my response. I could do what she expects, stammer an apology and move along. Or I could man the fuck up because getting to know her is going to require conversation. Yes, I’m probably going to stumble over my words, and there’s a ninety percent chance I’m going to screw this up, but I won’t know if I don’t try.
“The pole looks available to me.” I give her what I hope is a disarming smile. “Mai said I could take any open spot.”
Piper plants her hands on her hips and Jesus Christ, how am I supposed to concentrate on making actual words when she’s practically naked?
“What are you doing here? You’re not even in this class.”
I inhale slowly, making sure my tongue is in working order before I reply. “I’m thinking about joining.”
“Really?” She scrunches her nose and it’s goddamn adorable. “So it’s a total coincidence that two weeks after you asked me out, you just happen to show up in my pole class?”
She’s been counting the weeks.
It’s an unexpected, but encouraging development.
