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)
Okay, so the rubbers probably weren’t necessary. Ever and I both got tested regularly, and we’d shared our results with each other. I knew we were both negative across the board, and I also knew I had no intention of sleeping with anyone but him. But I included them anyway, in case using them made him more comfortable.
Once the bag was packed, I took a deep breath and met my gaze in the mirror. I was definitely nervous. But it was time to let go of fear and surrender.
To my deepest desires.
To the possibility of a relationship.
To love.
I wasn’t sure how he’d react, but one thing was certain. Everything was going to change after tonight.
16
Ever
This was a big night. Tracy must have felt it, too. He’d gotten a haircut and messaged me to borrow some clothes and hair products, which meant he was treating it like a special occasion, same as me.
In my case, it was more than the one-year anniversary of the night we’d met. There was a lot I’d been wanting to say to him, and there was something I needed to show him, and tonight was the night.
I’d known for a long time that we were so much more than friends with benefits. Tracy was everything to me. He’d said early on that he didn’t want a relationship, but I’d said the same thing and I’d totally changed my mind. I hoped he had, too.
It was tough to know how this conversation was going to go over. Tracy held his cards very close to his chest, so I was never sure about what he was thinking. But he needed to know how I felt.
After we ended our video call, I couldn’t concentrate on the task at hand. I’d been trying to finalize some banner designs, but I could do that later. I left my office and paced around the ground floor while I waited for Tracy to arrive.
The fitness center was progressing, which was good since the grand opening was only two months out. Front and center was a classy reception area with a curved, polished wood counter, where members would check in and newbies could ask about memberships. Behind that was an eight-by-eight-foot panel made of etched Plexiglass, embellished with the word EverFit above the logo, which was a stylized barbell. It was exactly what I’d envisioned.
I snapped a photo of the counter and logo and posted it to social media with the caption, “It’s all coming together!” Then I tried to relax in one of the two seating areas flanking the front door. I’d wanted a place for people to congregate and chat before or after working out, so I’d gone with comfortable chairs upholstered in durable, royal blue fabric, which echoed my blue and orange EverFit logo. I was too keyed up to stay seated though, so I leapt right back up and started pacing around again.
Fortunately, Tracy opted to take a Lyft instead of the bus, so in just a few minutes he texted to tell me: I’m outside.
I hurried to the door and unlocked it, and then I held it open for him as he stepped over the threshold. Once again, seeing him in my clothes did something to me. I told him, “You look amazing,” and he flashed me a shy smile.
“Thanks. So do you. But then, you always do.” He gave me a hug, and then he looked around and said, “Wow. I never thought a gym could be beautiful, but this is.”
“Thanks. I’m really happy with it.”
He indicated the front wall, where the floor-to-ceiling windows were covered in sheets of white plastic to block the view from the street. “When do those come off?”
“Right before the grand opening. I want to make it clear this place is still under construction, to discourage people from coming inside and ending up in a work zone.”
“Makes sense.” He shifted the bag on his shoulder and asked, “So, what am I interrupting, and how can I help?”
“I was trying to make a final decision on some banner designs, but it can wait until Monday. My graphic designer doesn’t work on weekends anyway.”
“Where are you putting them?”
“Since the ceiling is so high, I had the idea to hang color-coded banners above each workout zone. They’ll have a stylized figure lifting weights, or running on a treadmill, or whatever the equipment is at that station. I think it’ll add visual interest and help newbies find their way around.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“I hope so. Now that it’s almost done and most of the equipment is in place, it’s all about finishing touches and trying to make it seem welcoming. It feels cavernous and a bit too sterile right now.”
“Just wait. Once it’s open and full of people and energy, it’s all going to come to life. Everyone’s going to feel welcome and comfortable here.”