Page 29 of Outspoken

I linger in the silence between us, a weight pressing down on me. It doesn’t feel right just glossing over how we ended things before. Taking a deep breath, I rub the back of my neck before saying, “Hey, before we get into the session, since it's been a while since we've talked, I wanted to apologize for what happened last time. I’m really sorry.”

Her arms relax and she chews her bottom lip. “I know. I played my part too. We just had different ideas about what was happening.” She adjusts the bottom of her shirt, looking at the slick concrete floor. “I, um, heard you were dating.”

“Some.”

She glances up carefully through her lashes. “So, then you’re not still feeling anything deep?”

Every muscle group in my body tightens. This feels pivotal, and her face is too neutral for me to decipher what answer she’s hoping for. Has she changed her mind and wants me to say I still have feelings? Or is she guarded and hoping I’ve moved on?

Damn.I don’t want to lie, and I’m not sure I can risk telling the truth.

Finding a middle ground, I say, “Can we do a reset?”

She stares at an empty elliptical machine, working her bottom lip as she thinks. Then she makes today the best day I’ve had in weeks by saying, “Yeah. Let’s reset.”

I resist the urge to grin, giving her a small, friendly smile instead. “Good.”

Her slender hand touches my forearm and squeezes, heating my skin with too much hope, before she lets her hand fall to her side. She gives me a playful smile. “Are we going to start exercising or what?”

I swallow, unsure about whether that touch was flirtatious. I remain cautious because I don't want to damage our reset just ten seconds after it started.

I glance at the available treadmills. I’m supposed to sit down with Amber and go through a bunch of questions and paperwork—have her step on the scale—but it feels awkward to do that with someone I know. There's no reason we can’t be active while discussing her goals.

“Let’s warm up,” I say.

“Sure.”

She follows me to a treadmill, and I set the machine to a moderate walking pace with no incline. After she starts, I step on the one next to hers and use the same settings.

She eyeballs me. “Are you supposed to work out with your clients?”

“I do sometimes. I’m trying to help you feel relaxed so you’re not the only one exercising. Being in the gym for the first time can make you self-conscious.”And your presence gives me too much nervous energy, so I need to move.I train my eyes on a TV overhead so I’m not tempted to check her out again. “Is it helping?”

“Yeah, but can I be honest?” she says. “I’m planning on abusing this free session and then ghosting. I can’t afford a membership.”

Falling too much into her orbit, I say without thinking, “That’s cool. Use me all you want.” I glance over, testing the air between us.

She bites her bottom lip and observes me from the corner of her eye. “Use you, huh? As much as I want?”

I hold her gaze. “Anything you want. Anytime.”

I swallow.What am I doing?Professional. I need to keep this professional. I repeat the mantra in my head:Friendly. Professional. Play it cool.

She lets out a soft hum.

Before I can let that sound reverberate down to my groin, I increase the incline on my treadmill. Exercise should distract me. “Tell me about your goals.”

“Oh, weight loss. Muscle tone. More energy. Goals like that?”

“Yup. And what’s your comfort level with intensity? Are you currently working out at home? Or do you consider yourself a beginner?”

She decreases the speed on her treadmill. “I have noodle arms. Does that help?”

I smile. “Noodle arms. Got it. And how much are you looking to lose? A pound a week? Or less, like a few pounds per month?”

“All of it immediately by tomorrow, please.”

I crack up and she joins me. “Well, I can’t help with that,” I say, getting my laughter under control. “It’d be a shame for you to lose too much. You look a bit perfect right now.”

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