Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 61591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Finally, I put away my phone and pieced together a workout with the available equipment. This wasn’t a bad set-up. I’d gotten used to flash and technology, but there was a lot to be said for good, old-fashioned iron and grit.
After a while, I glanced over at Tracy, who was doing a set of bicep curls. He’d been working hard, and his T-shirt was drenched in sweat. It was hard to tell in those baggy clothes, but his form didn’t look quite right, so I went over to him and asked, “Would you mind if I made a suggestion?”
“Go ahead.”
“You need to adjust your stance and engage your core a little more. Right now, there’s a slight tilt to your hips, so you’re probably feeling some strain in your lower back.”
“I am, actually.”
“Can I touch you?” When he nodded, I placed one hand on his abdomen and the other on his back. As I applied gentle pressure to his gut, I said, “Tighten up here and shift your hips forward.”
When he turned his head, I found myself looking directly into his soulful brown eyes. Usually, I towered over everyone, but I only had about an inch on Tracy. It was rare to literally see eye-to-eye with someone.
His body shifted slightly between my hands. “Like this?”
Being this close to him was distracting, and I forgot what we were doing for a moment before I snapped myself out of it. I was being unprofessional—not that he was a client, but I still held myself to a certain standard. As I let go of him and took a step back, I murmured, “I think so.” Then I grinned and tugged his sleeve. “It’s hard to tell under all this fabric, though. That’s why a lot of people opt for form-fitting workout gear. It’s also why a lot of gyms have mirrors everywhere, so we can check our form and adjust if necessary.”
Tracy smirked, and a teasing note slipped into his voice. “Plus, both of those things make for good selfies.”
“True. How does your lower back feel?”
“Better. You obviously know what you’re talking about.”
“I do. I’d be happy to work with you to fine-tune your routine and help you work toward some fitness goals, if that’s something you’d be interested in.”
“I’m pretty sure I can’t afford you.”
“I wouldn’t charge you, Tracy. It’s my way of saying thank you for letting me totally invade your home.”
He mulled that over for a moment, the set of weights in his hands temporarily forgotten. Finally, he gave me a single nod. “I’ll take you up on that, because I know my routine could do with a tune-up. But I’m not wearing spandex.”
He was being playful with that last comment, so I decided to come back with a little flirtatiousness in return. “You’d look damn good in it, though.”
The way he instantly got flustered was pretty cute.
When we finished our workouts, Tracy wiped the sweat from his face with a small towel and retrieved his backpack from the locker room. Then he started to head for the door, so I asked, “Aren’t you going to hit the showers?”
“I’m not done yet. I usually run home for some additional cardio.”
“Sounds good.” I slung my gym bag over my shoulder, and when we got outside, I flashed him a smile. “Want to race?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Why not?”
Tracy glanced at me as he stretched his hamstrings. “Because I’m willing to bet you’re highly competitive. I am, too. The loser might end up resenting the winner, and that’s no good.” He had a point.
We kept pace with each other on the way home. Then, when we reached the apartment, we went off in opposite directions to shower and get ready for the day ahead.
Once I was clean and dressed, I moved into the living room and checked in with my contractor. I’d been about to head over to my building, but he’d set up a meeting with the two of us and our electrician in the late afternoon. There was no point in going early and hanging around the job site for hours on end. I’d only be in the way.
A few minutes later, Tracy came into the room. He was clean-shaven and neatly groomed, and he was wearing another gray T-shirt. This one was newer and better-fitting than the one he’d worn to the gym, and he’d paired it with jeans instead of sweats.
Since there was a jacket draped over his arm, I asked, “Are you on your way to work?”
He nodded and handed me a slip of paper. “That’s Darwin’s number and the website for the shelter, in case you want to look into volunteering.”
“Thanks. Have you seen Phil?”
“Yeah, he’s on my bed.”
“Sorry about that. I’ll go get him.”
“No, it’s fine. I left my door open, so he can come and go whenever he wants to.”