Page 27 of The Dicktionary Club

‘Why not? Yorkie did it, remember?’ I cleared my throat and imitated the annoying advert that used to piss me off as a child: ‘Yorkie – it’s not for girls!’

Katy stared, not amused. ‘We really need to get a few men before we head back. Come on!’

Reluctantly, I agreed, knowing I had work for Alexander Cambi’s exhibition to deal with when we got back to the office.

‘OK, we’ll head to the gym then, not the men’s changing rooms, for fuck’s sake! Come on.’

We turned and steered towards the gym. I had trained at this one before and was familiar with the layout of the machines. Immediately I walked towards the weights section, noticing a few men darting around the machines as Katy followed sheepishly behind.

‘Are you pitching?’ I said quietly.

‘No,’ she whispered back.

I swung around to face my friend. ‘It’s your pitch!’

‘I have gym anxiety, Ella! It’s a real thing.’ It was true; Katy seemed incredibly uncomfortable all of a sudden.

‘Fine!’ I hissed back.

We walked a few more steps and then I spotted a ripped bodybuilder posing in the mirror for a selfie.

‘Hey.’ I smiled, intentionally flicking back my long blonde hair.

As he faced me, I watched his eyes light up. ‘You OK, darling? Do you need a hand with a weight?’

I resisted an eye roll and shook my head, knowing I could probably outbench most of the men here. ‘I don’t, but we do need help. We’re here promoting this energy drink for a client, and we need content of really buff guys drinking it for their socials. Would you mind trying it and saying how much you love it? We may get fired if you say no.’ I innocently pouted out my bottom lip.

I could see he was lapping up the compliments. ‘You needed a buff guy and came straight to me, eh?’

‘Well, who else would even catch my eye in here?’ I continued,turning my flirtation skills up a notch.

‘Of course I’ll help, sweetheart. Where do you want me?’ he replied, flexing his biceps in the mirror, ensuring they were up for the challenge.

‘Katy?’

‘Yip, I’m on it.’ She stepped forward. ‘OK, so if you stand behind that big-looking device thing, maybe you can put the bar up, take a swig of the drink and say, “Blaze Boost. It’s why I’m in this shape.” Something like that! OK? Flex your arm or something.’

He seemed happy with her instructions. I stepped back to watch him stack up the weight on the bar before Katy began filming.

‘Why haven’t I seen you here before?’ a voice said from behind me, and I turned to see Philip Khan wiping sweat from his handsome face with a crisp white towel. I immediately noticed his initials embroidered on the fabric of his towel and resisted a smirk.

‘Mmm.?.?. because I tend to train elsewhere.’ I turned my back on him and continued watching Katy film.

‘Which gym do you train in?’ he asked.God, his voice is so deep.I wondered if he had ever considered joining a choir.

I huffed slightly at his interruption, wanting to focus on my friend. ‘Why?’ I responded, keeping my eyes resolutely in front.

‘I’m curious,’ he said.

‘I train at House of Fitness. Have you heard of it?’

‘City centre, yes, I’ve heard of it,’ he replied. ‘What are the facilities like there?’

‘Sssshhh,’ Katy hushed, then immediately blushed, giving me major side eye when she noticed who I was speaking to.

I eventually turned my body around to face him. His eyes were so dark that it was hard to distinguish the pupil from the iris, and he had perfectly tanned skin. I wondered if it wasfrom cruising with the Beckhams or hitting Sun Shack at the weekends.

‘It’s OK, I suppose. The women’s changing rooms could do with a spruce up, but apart from that, it’s decent. Now, anything else I can help you with? My yoga class timetable, perhaps?’ I replied sharply, not wanting to entertain another man and his ego.

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