Page 3 of Mr. Red

No!I’m not letting today’s odd events deter me from making it a great day. There’s a used bookstore I haven’t been to in a while. I’ll pop in there. Relaxing with a nice romance novel is always a great way to take my mind off things. I finish half of my latte and then start meandering down to the bookstore. It’s not too far from the café, which is convenient.

A women’s clothing boutique, an outdoor store selling anything you need for a hike or backpacking trip, and an ice cream shop are all on my right. I notice a “for lease” sign across the street in the window of an office building. It’s rare for something to become available on this block. The gym Iwork at is in walking distance of this area, just one street down. I think it’s why we’ve always stayed afloat.

I walk into the bookstore, greeted by rows and rows of books. Along with stacks and stacks of books. An old, musty smell only books seem to deliver saturates through my nose. Every now and then you’ll run into a comfortable high-back chair.

I peruse through the shelves towards the back of the store, getting lost in my own world for a while. Then a deep voice catches my attention towards the checkout stand in the front.

“Excuse me, ma’am? Do you have any books on the history of the city?” the same hot dingus from this morning asks the desk clerk.

I’m so surprised by how sweet he sounds, my mouth gapes open while I stop and stare. He has a faint accent I didn’t notice this morning, but “ma’am” and “fixing” tells me he isn’t from here.

The clerk doesn’t seem to mind as she starts flirting with him, leaning over the desk, and pushing her boobs together. “Oh, I can definitely help you find what you’re looking for. Just follow me.” She smiles with seductive eyes.

Her hips sway as she leaves from behind the desk.

One of the sides of his mouth turns up in a grin, watching her walk away. “I’d be glad to have some help.”

A vision of throwing a book at the back of his head makes me snicker.I watch them move to the opposite side of the store, while I stay behind the book dividers wondering how his attitude can go from horrible to sweet in a couple hours.

I try to stay engrossed on the book spines in front of me, but I can’t concentrate on any of the titles. Two voicescarry over with heinous amounts of flirting, breaking my attention.

“It’s a bookstore, not a bar,” I yell.

My eyes widen and I bite my lower lip. I can’t believe I just said that. I need to get out of here. I sneak out the back exit before he “runs” into me again.

My shoulders are up to my ears while my fists clench on my walk to the gym. I’ve always liked my small town. Running into someone I know is usually a nice part about living here, but if I see that man again, I’m moving.

Chapter 3

Scarlett

After grabbing something quick for lunch, I end up at the gym a bit earlier than planned.Prestige Fitness Club and Spahas good bones, but is like everything else—it hasn’t changed. Unlike the upkeep elsewhere in town, the owners have been letting our gym fall into disarray. The only reason it’s hanging in there is because it’s the only gym around with a spa, complete with a steam room and sauna.

I stomp through the front door where dark green paint and an old maple desk too big for the front space accost me. My stance is uneven on the stained Berber carpets, irritating me further.

An associate at the front desk greets me with her pad of paper to check in clients. I raise my hand in a haste, walking towards the locker rooms to get changed into more comfortable clothes. My eyes roll as I pass fixed weight stations and ancient cardio equipment.

There are so many problems to resolve in here and every one of those things is catching my eye right now. I dress with a series of humphs and then head out to do some weights. A weight workout wasn’t in my plan, but I need to do something active. Since I still have a while before my first client, leg workout it is.

Although I teach classes and train here, it feels like there’s more we could offer. I’m teaching a class at three in the afternoon today instead of six in the evening when people are off work. It doesn’t make sense. The people who do come in are usually older and retired. We’re missing a whole group who could benefit from coming here after school or work.

The owners are sweet people, but they’re headed towards a foreclosure on the building since the memberships are down. I hope they can find a solution to make the gym a place where peoplewantto come.

I have a lot of solutions I’m hoping they’ll consider. One in particular my friends and I have presented. Lana should have the details today.

I pick a machine targeting quads and start pumping. The breathing in and out as my body moves helps clear my head. I’m about to do my third set on the leg press, when someone taps my shoulder.

“Scarlett?” Paige gives a small wave in front of Lana.

“You were deep in thought there,” Lana pushes up her glasses and then adjusts her messy bun.

I start smiling. “Hi! Yeah.” I look around. “Sorry I didn’t see you guys.”

Lana and Paige have been my best friends since kindergarten. They’re more like sisters to me.

Paige nods her head at the machine, her short, blonde hair bobs. “You happened upon some free time I see.” She puts a hand on her hip, looking like a model in designer workout gear.

“It’s been an interesting morning,” I huff. “I almost got hit by some Lance Armstrong wannabe. He tried to run me over with his bike.” I stand and move on to the next machine.

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