Read Online A Twist of Date by Susan Hatler - Free Book Online

hurt him, and he’s not interested in me anymore.”
    “Hmmm.” She tapped her finger to her lip, having no clue she’d just reminded me of Matt’s word of the day. “Did he tell you he wasn’t interested?”
    Remembering the way he’d pulled away when my hand brushed his, I sighed. “Trust me, he’s not. I’m lucky he’s still talking to me.”
    Kristen paused outside the door. “I’m gonna walk a few minutes on the treadmill before I hit the shower, but we should have lunch sometime.”
    “I’d love that,” I said, and meant it. “Enjoy the rest of your week.”
    “You, too.” She started to walk away, then stopped, lowering her voice. “Just because you hurt Matt, doesn’t mean he’s done with you.” 
    “Of course.” I nodded, then trudged toward the locker room, knowing Kristen had meant well.
    Even so, her comment hand stung. My chest tightened all the way to the shower, so much that as soon as I turned the water on, my own tears began to flow.

 
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    It wasn’t an evening at The Boat House, that was for sure. If it had been up to me, I would’ve rather met Nick somewhere nicer—anywhere the ketchup didn’t come out of a group container with a plastic pump. At least the little burger joint Nick took me to was in walking distance from the gym. If needed, it would take less convincing for Patti to think this lunch was solely business-related.
    Nick carried our tray to a metal table in the corner. At first, it felt awkward, just as first dates often are. Thankfully, I knew how to steer conversations with men. Career guys enjoy talking about their accomplishments. It seemed calculated, but I figured it might help break the ice.
    “So, owning your own business—wow.” Compliments didn’t hurt either. “Do you have any other gyms besides Totally Fit?”
    Nick smiled, obviously happy with the topic I’d chosen. “I just moved here from Arizona, where I have a couple restaurants.” 
    “Impressive,” I said, wondering if by “restaurants” he meant burger joints similar to this one.
    He cupped his chin, smiled, but didn’t say anything. 
    Getting a conversation going with him was proving to be a challenge.
    “Seems like you’ve been working hard.” More praise. Not a lie though. He’d apparently beat all of us to the gym today. Rudy had rarely showed up before noon. “Have you had a chance to see much of Sacramento yet?”
    “Not really.” He reached for a handful of fries and managed to stuff them all in his mouth without any falling out. “Work’s keeping me pretty busy.”
    I stared at him in amazement. Had he actually swallowed all those fries without chewing?
    “Which is what I wanted to talk to you about.”
    “Work?” I pursed my lips. “Really? Is that why you asked me to lunch?”
    Funny, I didn’t sound that disappointed. I didn’t feel that disappointed either.
    “Mostly.” He reached down to the floor, snapped open his briefcase and pulled out a pad of paper, which he set on the table. “You’ve been an aerobics instructor at Totally Fit for quote a few years now. How do you think it’s going?”
    Great, until two days ago. Now it felt like an inquisition. “Fine, I guess.”
    “And you teach . . . ?”
    It was all I could do not to sigh. Didn’t Rudy have this written down somewhere? “Zumba, aerobics, kick-boxing.”
    “Do you think there’s a pattern to how many people show up for a class?”
    “Pretty much,” I said, feeling like I should be on the payroll right now. Seriously, this was the most boring semi-date of my life. I couldn’t even think of a compliment to throw at him. Having lost my appetite, I checked my watch. “Friday nights are pretty dead.” I gave him a meaningful look. “With it being date night and all.”
    He held my gaze a moment, then turned back to his paper, jotting down notes. “Are Saturdays dead, too?”
    “Yes.” I sighed, bored to death of the work talk. “Why don’t you tell me