Page 73 of Own the Eights
And then, because she owed him big-time, she’d agreed to join him for a couple of training sessions at Deacon CrossFit. It turns out, it wasn’t the roid-charged operation she’d envisioned. Instead, she found herself getting hot, not from push-ups, but from watching her ten in his element. And while he did take on a slightly cockier persona, which was pretty sexy, even Hermione agreed, it was as clear as day to see that his goal was to help his clients become a better version of themselves.
Deacon, however, was another story.
While the man was polite, she’d felt his gaze boring into her back anytime she’d interacted with Jordan. She got a weird quasi-jealousy vibe that didn’t make much sense. Then again, maybe he thought she was just nuts when he’d asked her to pass him a kettlebell, and she’d searched the place for an actual tea kettle.
FYI: actual tea kettles are not a part of the CrossFit repertoire, which is really a shame, but also very good to know.
Georgie brushed all thoughts of Jordan’s mentor aside and stared at her reflection as a pink blush colored her cheeks. She couldn’t help it. That’s what happened when all you could think about is the next time the guy you never expected to fall for lifts you into his arms as if you were as light as a feather then fucks you against the wall like you were the dirtiest girl on the block.
It almost didn’t seem possible that she’d only met the former Emperor of Asshattery ten days ago.
Ten.
She couldn’t really hate the number anymore. But it wasn’t like she’d abandoned her Own the Eights principles. She’d just come to realize that chemistry mattered, but so did trust, honesty, mutual respect, and kissing. Lots of kissing.
A knock at the dressing room door cut through her daydream.
“Miss Jensen, your car’s here.”
Georgie ran her hands down the bodice of the dress and released a shaky breath when a young woman cracked open the door.
It was…Holy Miss Honey from the grocery store challenge.
“You don’t know me. My name is Layla,” the perky redhead honey enthusiast began. “But I know who you are. Of course, everyone here does.”
“Do you work here?” Georgie asked, trying really hard not to look completely thrown for a loop.
The woman nodded. “I just wanted to tell you, I’d met Jordan before, at the market.”
Oh shit!
“Oh yeah?” she answered instead, sounding a lot like she’d swallowed her tongue.
Layla looked away. “We kind of exchanged numbers, but I knew he wasn’t going to call me.”
“Oh, I…” Georgie replied, not sure how to respond to the woman’s admission.
The redhead put up her hand. “Don’t worry! I’m not telling you this because I’m some crazy woman who’s been stalking him.”
That was a damn crazy thing to throw out, but Georgie plastered on her beauty queen smile and let the woman continue.
“I decided to see if I could find him before I left the store, and I did. He was watching you so intently. I couldn’t even be mad. I just hoped that someday, I could find someone who looked at me the same way he was looking at you.”
Georgie’s beauty queen expression made way for a genuine smile. “I’m sure you will. Have you checked out my Own the Eights blog? You may find some helpful tips on meeting your soul mate.”
Layla’s eyes lit up, and she started prattling on about how everyone at the boutique was following the contest when a realization hit Georgie straight in the gut.
In a roundabout way, her blog had led her to Jordan.
“Is she coming?” a man called, cutting off the redhead’s chatter.
One of the male stylists poked his head in the dressing room. “Mr. Marks is waiting for you, Miss Jensen.”
“You better go!” Layla said excitedly, stepping out of the way.
“Thanks, and don’t forget to check out Own the Eights!” Georgie said, picking up a metallic matching clutch.
She exited the dressing area to find everyone who’d helped them prepare for the evening, standing in a line. It was like a freaking episode ofDownton Abbey. She channeled Lizzy Bennet—or at least what she’d thought Lizzy would be like after she’d become Mrs. Darcy and the lady of the Pemberley Estate—and thanked everyone graciously as she made her way to the door when Jordan appeared, and her heart skipped a beat.
