the reception desk.
I should’ve been elated that I’d found a new career, one with a generous salary to boot. But, instead, I felt numb.
Ethan sent me a text, asking how I was doing today. I wanted to tell him about my new job, but I needed to keep my distance from him.
I waited the rest of the day for the excitement over my new career to hit me.
It never did.
****
When I got to Totally Fit that night, I gave my leg muscles a break by avoiding the weights before Zumba class. My legs were grateful, I knew, because after dancing an hour of cha-cha, salsa, and even hip-hop, they didn’t crumble beneath me.
Mel waved me over as she chatted with a woman after class. “Kristen, I’d like to introduce you to my sister, Kaitlin.”
“Hi, Kaitlin.” I smiled at the perky red-head, noting that Mel had referred to her as her step-sister when we were alone but as her sister in front of her. Interesting dynamic, and I was curious to learn more. Step relationships tended to be more intricate, and human behavior fascinated me.
Although I’m sure explaining medical benefits to new hires could be interesting as well. Or overseeing that the company adheres to employee safety laws, since carpal tunnel can be very painful. And coordinating vacation schedules might be fun, depending on where the employee was headed. Not that I’d get to go with them or discuss what historical sites they saw as part of my job description.
Huh. No wonder I wasn’t jumping for joy at my new career.
“Guess what?” Mel’s eyes lit up, and she put a hand on my arm as she spoke. “My bad dating streak seems to be over. Brad and I had an amazing time at the River Cats game yesterday, and he’s taking me out for a late dinner tonight. He’s so dreamy.”
“That’s great.” It seemed way too early to tell if she’d broken her pattern of dating commitment phobes, but I didn’t want to burst her bubble. If her own behavior’s the same, she’s likely to get the same results as before. “So, you like him a lot?”
“They adore each other.” Kaitlin put in, her hands coming together against her chest as if knowing they were an ideal match after only one date. “I saw them in action earlier, and he just gives off that good-guy vibe. Plus, he’s got a body like Vin Diesel. Yum.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “That cinches it, huh?”
“Speaking of yum, I’m gonna get cleaned up for my date. Wish me luck!” Mel wiggled her fingers at us, then bounced off.
“She has such a zest for life, doesn’t she?” Kaitlin gazed after Mel as if she admired her sister (or step-sister, as the case may be). “It takes major effort for me to exert half that energy.”
“Mel’s definitely got spunk.” I agreed, then checked the clock. “I’m going to hit the treadmill for a few minutes for an extra cool down. It was nice meeting you, Kaitlin.”
She gave a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You, too.”
When I arrived at the treadmills, I scanned the walkers and runners for a certain tall, dark, and muscular guy I’d rather avoid. Why did Totally Fit have to have the best location and rates in downtown Sac? Sigh.
Luckily, Ethan was nowhere to be seen. The twinge of disappointment I felt annoyed me, and I made myself walk thirty minutes instead of fifteen as punishment. His not being here was a good thing and while, okay, there a was massive amount of physical attraction, that didn’t mean anything. It was just chemistry.
It’s not like I was going to act on it. Again, I mean.
So why couldn’t I stop thinking about him? I tapped the button to end my cool down. As long as I kept my head on straight, I was good.
I turned to get off the treadmill and nearly slammed into the man waiting in line. He put his hands out to steady me, and when I looked up to say thanks, my voice caught in my throat.
“Hi,” Ethan said, his deep brown eyes peering down at me.
I swallowed. “Hi.”
He eyed me up and down in a way that
I should’ve been elated that I’d found a new career, one with a generous salary to boot. But, instead, I felt numb.
Ethan sent me a text, asking how I was doing today. I wanted to tell him about my new job, but I needed to keep my distance from him.
I waited the rest of the day for the excitement over my new career to hit me.
It never did.
****
When I got to Totally Fit that night, I gave my leg muscles a break by avoiding the weights before Zumba class. My legs were grateful, I knew, because after dancing an hour of cha-cha, salsa, and even hip-hop, they didn’t crumble beneath me.
Mel waved me over as she chatted with a woman after class. “Kristen, I’d like to introduce you to my sister, Kaitlin.”
“Hi, Kaitlin.” I smiled at the perky red-head, noting that Mel had referred to her as her step-sister when we were alone but as her sister in front of her. Interesting dynamic, and I was curious to learn more. Step relationships tended to be more intricate, and human behavior fascinated me.
Although I’m sure explaining medical benefits to new hires could be interesting as well. Or overseeing that the company adheres to employee safety laws, since carpal tunnel can be very painful. And coordinating vacation schedules might be fun, depending on where the employee was headed. Not that I’d get to go with them or discuss what historical sites they saw as part of my job description.
Huh. No wonder I wasn’t jumping for joy at my new career.
“Guess what?” Mel’s eyes lit up, and she put a hand on my arm as she spoke. “My bad dating streak seems to be over. Brad and I had an amazing time at the River Cats game yesterday, and he’s taking me out for a late dinner tonight. He’s so dreamy.”
“That’s great.” It seemed way too early to tell if she’d broken her pattern of dating commitment phobes, but I didn’t want to burst her bubble. If her own behavior’s the same, she’s likely to get the same results as before. “So, you like him a lot?”
“They adore each other.” Kaitlin put in, her hands coming together against her chest as if knowing they were an ideal match after only one date. “I saw them in action earlier, and he just gives off that good-guy vibe. Plus, he’s got a body like Vin Diesel. Yum.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “That cinches it, huh?”
“Speaking of yum, I’m gonna get cleaned up for my date. Wish me luck!” Mel wiggled her fingers at us, then bounced off.
“She has such a zest for life, doesn’t she?” Kaitlin gazed after Mel as if she admired her sister (or step-sister, as the case may be). “It takes major effort for me to exert half that energy.”
“Mel’s definitely got spunk.” I agreed, then checked the clock. “I’m going to hit the treadmill for a few minutes for an extra cool down. It was nice meeting you, Kaitlin.”
She gave a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You, too.”
When I arrived at the treadmills, I scanned the walkers and runners for a certain tall, dark, and muscular guy I’d rather avoid. Why did Totally Fit have to have the best location and rates in downtown Sac? Sigh.
Luckily, Ethan was nowhere to be seen. The twinge of disappointment I felt annoyed me, and I made myself walk thirty minutes instead of fifteen as punishment. His not being here was a good thing and while, okay, there a was massive amount of physical attraction, that didn’t mean anything. It was just chemistry.
It’s not like I was going to act on it. Again, I mean.
So why couldn’t I stop thinking about him? I tapped the button to end my cool down. As long as I kept my head on straight, I was good.
I turned to get off the treadmill and nearly slammed into the man waiting in line. He put his hands out to steady me, and when I looked up to say thanks, my voice caught in my throat.
“Hi,” Ethan said, his deep brown eyes peering down at me.
I swallowed. “Hi.”
He eyed me up and down in a way that
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