by Ronica Black
She thumbed up the volume to the stereo. She liked her life the way it was. Home free and drama free. That was how she preferred to live and she was very happy in doing so. She had no interest in a serious, long-term relationship. Relationships like that required settling down and focusing a lot of your attention on another person. You became a family, whether there were only two people or not. And if the other person wanted more, like children, well, then you really had yourself a family. None of that was for her. She’d experienced all the family she could handle growing up. Being the youngest of five children with apathetic parents had taught her a lot. The most important lesson, of course, was to stay unattached. So she kept her relationships with women casual and her career front and center. Olivia and her inner turmoil…whatever that might be, could go ahead and stay far, far away.
She increased the volume even more and sang as she drove, leaving Olivia in the dust of her mind just as Olivia had left her in the dust in the parking lot.
It was time to focus now.
It was time to get to work.
She parked and slipped on a loose tank top, then grabbed her gym bag from the back of the Tahoe and headed for the door. U-Fit was a small and privately owned gym, tucked away in an old shopping plaza in Glendale. She loved U-Fit because even though it was small, it was often full of people like her, people committed to their fitness. She loved the familiar sounds of clinking weights and deep grunts and shouts of exasperation. Those were the sounds of growth and progress.
The air hung warm and heavy as she walked in through the open front door. It was March, so she wasn’t surprised. Early spring in Phoenix brought cool nights and increasingly warmer, but still balmy, daytime temperatures, leading many people to put off turning on the air conditioning, hoping the last hoorah of mild temperatures would be enough to keep them cool before the heat arrived.
She wound her way through people and machines, giving a few nods hello to those she knew. She was a familiar face, having been a member for years. And Bobby, the owner, had become a good friend. He smiled at her as she approached the counter where he sat and kept watch over his kingdom.
“A little early for a Monday, Monroe.” He was leaning on the elbows of his massive arms, his bald head shiny with sweat. He smiled, causing his blue eyes to dance. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”
She wasn’t about to tell him about Olivia. He’d only tease her, just as he often did when it came to her dating life.
“I want to get in a quick workout before Karen gets here. Is that a crime?”
He straightened and handed her a towel. His scissor-cut sleeveless shirt was two sizes too small, making his thick pecs look as though they might tear through the thin material at any moment. With moisture beading on his skin and the full, ropelike look to his veins, she guessed he’d already put in a good workout. He’d no doubt have another before the day was through. Bodybuilding competitions left him training year-round. He was still trying like hell to get her to compete. But she’d never been interested in showing off her own body. What floated her boat was helping others so they could feel good about showing off theirs.
“Not usually,” he said. “But for you, and the way you obsess over absolutely nothing but your career and daily routines…I’d say something was up. You don’t drive in other lanes when it comes to your schedule.”
She rolled her eyes. “Only you would read into my showing up early as some kind of sign that strange things were amiss. I think you sitting there behind that counter day after day has atrophied your sense of reason. The shit you’ve come up with recently concerns me a little.”
“What?” He chuckled.
“Uh, last week you said something about alien abduction and how you believe it’s real.”
His eyes widened. “It is. I read this book called Communion. Scared the total shit out of me. You gotta read it.”
“Okay. Sure. I’ll get right on that.”
“I’m not joking.”
“Hey, whatever does it for you, buddy. To each his own.”
“Having belief in something does not mean I’m losing it. I’m just opening up my mind a little. You should try it.”
“Well, what about last month? You were convinced that someone was breaking in here at night and working out.”
“I swear. That happened. Things were not how I left them.”
“Right. Yeah. I know getting ripped would be on the top of my list if I were a criminal and an expert at breaking into places. In fact, a gym is the first place I’d go. I’d totally risk getting arrested to work out. So worth it.”
“Shut up.”
She laughed.
“You aren’t funny.”
She couldn’t stop laughing. “Why the hell would someone break into a gym to work out? Night after night. Without taking anything. Honestly, I don’t know how Trish puts up with your crazy ass.”
“Hey, what can I say? When you got it you got it.” He wiggled his eyebrows and kissed his biceps.
“Oh, how she must swoon.” She flicked him with her towel. “I’m off. I’ll see you later.” She left him laughing and walked to the row of elliptical machines. She chose one on the end, dropped her bag nearby, and climbed on. She started slowly at first, allowing her muscles to warm up once again. Then she went hard and fast for thirty minutes straight. Until sweat ran down her body and her heart thrummed at a rapid but steady pace. The endorphins she craved rushed through her as she slowed to cool down. And for the first time since she’d laid eyes on her that morning, Olivia was completely gone from her thoughts.
Chapter Four
Eve was continuing her cool down on the elliptical when her long-time client and best friend, Karen, walked in. She, too, was a little early for a Monday. But nonetheless she appeared bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as always with her perfectly highlighted brown hair in a tight ponytail and eyeliner and lip gloss accenting her face. Eve watched as she spoke to Bobby, waving off the offered towel. Whatever was said, it left Bobby cracking up. Karen had a wicked sense of humor, and Eve was often in stitches even in the middle of an intense workout. It was one of the things Eve loved about her. Her giant heart was another.
“Hiya, hot stuff,” Karen said as she tossed her bag next to Eve’s. She knelt and unzipped it to retrieve a bright pink towel that she slung over her shoulder. The pink matched her snug athletic top as well as the wide stripe running down the side of her black yoga pants. She climbed on the machine beside Eve and started her warm-up. “Did you run today?”
“A little.” Eve gripped the upper part of the handle to get a read on her pulse. Her heart rate had slowed considerably so she picked up the pace, wanting to stay in a higher performance zone as Karen warmed up.
“A little? What in the world does that mean? Did the mountain shrink in size or something?”
Damn it.
Olivia was right back in her mind again. Front and center.
“No, nothing like that.”
“Then what?”
“Really? Can’t you just accept my answer and move on?”
“Oh, wow, Evie-Eve is hiding something. I wonder what it could be? Hm.”
“I just ended up stopping to help someone. Okay?”
Karen grinned. “Would this someone happen to be an attractive woman?”
“It wasn’t like that, Karen.”
It wasn’t. She’d hadn’t intended on anything happening.
“So, she was attractive.”
She wanted to argue, but she knew Karen would see right through her. She might as well admit that she’d liked what she’d seen. Olivia was thick with muscle and her body curved deliciously in dangerous places, making Eve think about her full breasts and ass all over again.
“That’s not why I helped her.”
“Uh-huh.”
Eve could feel Karen’s stare boring a hole into the side of her face.
“And she just happened to be brunette, right?”
Eve shook her head, knowing there was no
safe answer. She did like brunettes and her track record proved it. Damn Karen for knowing her so well.
“That’s what I thought,” Karen said.
“I would’ve helped her regardless. And I can’t help what color her hair is. Or how she looks.”
“I know, honey. No need to get all frazzled on me.” She finally turned to look straight ahead, and Eve almost breathed a sigh of relief, hoping the inquisition was over.
“She has light eyes, doesn’t she? What, green, hazel green? You’re a sucker for the dark hair and green eyes. Yes, sir, that’s it. That’s your mashed potatoes and gravy. Gets you every time.”
Eve heated.
“Mashed potatoes and gravy? That’s a new one. And no, her hair isn’t that dark and her eyes aren’t green. They’re more of a gray.”
“Forgive me, I was way off.” She moved on.
“So, did you offer her your services?”
Olivia laughed with frustration. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Oh, okay. Now you’re going to pout because I’ve got you pegged. Poor Eve. Her best friend knows her too well. How awful.”
Eve turned to tell her to shut up, but Karen was giving her an exaggerated look of sadness and Eve couldn’t keep a straight face.
“I hate you.”
“Oh, you do not.”
“Do so.”
“You love me. You adore me. You want to marry me.”
Eve scoffed.
“Admit it, sunshine. I’ve got your number. I know you better than anyone else and it infuriates you that I can read you so well.”
“Are you warmed up yet?”
“Nope.”
“How much longer?” The urge to bust her ass with a killer circuit was growing.
“Long enough for you to tell me what she said.”
Eve clamped her mouth shut.
“I’m waaaiting.”
“She said she’d think about it, okay?” Eve halted and stepped off the machine. She grabbed her bag. “Come on, you’re warm enough.”
“All right, all right.” Karen followed her back to the large mat area near the free weights. They tossed their bags aside and went carefully into stretches in front of the mirrored wall. “You like her. You like her and something happened. Otherwise you wouldn’t be so cranky.”
“I told you what she said.”
“You’re leaving something out.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Christ, will you let it go? Nothing happened. I helped her and I gave her my card and she said she’d think about it. End of story.”
“Then what’s with the attitude?”
“It’s Monday.”
Karen laughed. “Since when does a Monday bother you? You don’t take days off, so I’m not buying it.”
Eve assisted her with a stretch and continued to fight the battle inside. She’d already gone over what had happened with Olivia and she’d decided to let it go. She needed to let it go. Thinking about their overwhelming chemistry again would only get her going and she wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. She’d end up going nuts. And self-torture…well, that wasn’t exactly her thing. Besides, she knew what Karen would say. She’d reiterate the couple of times she’d attempted to date women who had been hesitant or shy about their attraction and how they’d ended in disaster for numerous reasons. She’d lay into her for even considering it. Eve would tell her that while she couldn’t control who she was drawn to in life, she did ultimately agree with her. But that wouldn’t be good enough. Karen would still go on and on about it, and it would probably lead to her trying to set her up with someone again.
Something she preferred to avoid at all costs.
“I know you don’t practice this, but it is okay not to share every single thing that pops into your head. Some things can be kept to yourself. In fact, some things should be kept to yourself.”
Karen straightened, placed her hands on her hips, and cocked her head. Then she shook all over as if trying to rid the idea from her body.
“Yeah, no, not for me.”
They finished stretching and both picked up a pair of free weights. Then they widened their stance, slightly bent their knees, and with their backs straight, they began doing bicep curls, alternating arms.
“Since you won’t fess up,” Karen said, pushing out a breath through pursed lips. “I’m going to assume that whatever happened shook your world a little bit. I’ll leave you alone about it if you promise me something.”
“What’s that?”
“That you’ll tell me if anything else happens with her. This mysterious woman of yours.”
“Her name is Olivia, and I promise.” Eve was pretty sure she wouldn’t call so she wasn’t worried about making that commitment.
“Oh, Olivia, eh?” She made a ticking noise. “I can’t wait to get the goods on this one.”
“Yeah, well, I seriously doubt there will be anything to share.”
“Okay, whatever you say.”
Eve pumped the weights while watching their form in the mirror. Karen was fit from years of working out with lean muscles and a strong core. But she wasn’t as built as Eve and not nearly as cut. That wasn’t the look she was going for. So Eve had her using lighter weights and doing more reps to ensure she didn’t get the bulk of muscle.
“We’re going hard with cardio tomorrow,” Eve said, hoping to change the subject. Karen had been a long-time client, but she’d often take breaks, swearing she could maintain on her own. But eventually, she’d start complaining about her appearance or health again. Just as she’d done three weeks ago. This time around she said she’d gained a little weight and no longer felt as tight as she used to. Eve thought she still looked good regardless, but Karen wanted perfection.
Eve had told her repeatedly that she was too hard on herself and that perfection didn’t exist. And while the talks had helped some, Karen still had trouble with self-image. And honestly, so did the majority of the women Eve worked with.
“Whatever you say, Evie-Eve. I am at your command.”
“That’ll be the day,” Eve said as she finished and lowered her weights. She adjusted Karen’s stance as she continued with her reps. “Come on, keep it up. You’ve got to push until burnout. Good. Five more.” Her arms were trembling as she struggled to lift.
“That’s it. Four. Come on, Karen, fight through.”
Her face contorted and the veins in her neck popped as she pushed through.
“Last one,” Eve said, lightly cupping the bottom of the weights for support. Karen cried out on the last curl and knelt to drop her weights.
“I swear to God if you weren’t so good at sculpting my body, I would’ve killed you a long time ago.”
Eve laughed. Threats on her life were something to be expected from clients being pushed to the brink. Karen was no exception, and as she watched her shake out her arms to do another set, Eve thanked the universe for the hundredth time that she had a job she loved and that it made a difference in people’s lives. She thoroughly enjoyed helping her clients, and there was nothing quite like being there alongside them as they evolved into healthier, happier beings. The days when she hugged successful clients to say good-bye were initially bittersweet. But receiving the emails and texts that often followed, reporting their continued well-being and ability to thrive, made every tough moment completely worthwhile.
She smiled to herself, feeling extremely fortunate. But as she did so, her gaze fell upon a brunette on a treadmill in the distance. Her face was red and her body soaked with sweat. She was struggling, not only to breathe, but to keep her pace. Olivia’s face flashed before her, and Eve felt the smile fall from her face. Her insides tightened as she thought about Olivia over-exerting herself, just like the woman across the gym. Would she try to run up that mountain again in her current condition? Would she get hurt?
Eve palmed her forehead. Why did she care so much?
She lowered her hand and refocused on Karen as she
started in on another set. But Olivia’s face remained despite her best efforts to push it away. And she wondered, for the first time in her life, how a woman she’d only spent minutes with had claimed so much space in her mind. She wondered how on earth she was going to get her out. And better yet, if she even really wanted her out.
Chapter Five
“What does organic mean? Can anyone tell me?” Olivia’s professor, Dr. Rosenberg, raised her eyebrows, searching her quiet class for a voice or, what Olivia imagined, a bright beacon in the dark. “If I say something is organic in a chemical sense, what does that mean?” She stood behind her desk, waiting.
Though she wasn’t fond of doing so, Olivia spoke up, unable to take the anguish any longer. “It means it contains carbon.”
Dr. Rosenberg pointed directly at her. “Exactly.” She turned quickly to scribble something on the whiteboard. “It contains carbon.”
Olivia underlined those words in her notes to remind herself of their importance. She did so to a few other phrases and definitions as well. She knew the material inside and out, but marking her notes was something to do. And she needed something to do in order to stay awake.
Dr. Rosenberg continued, and Olivia couldn’t help it when her mind wandered to other things. She’d paid attention almost the entire fifty minutes of class, which was something of a feat for her. Now, however, she was just too tired to care. Fortunately, she was one of those people who could read something once and have almost complete recall afterward, which enabled her to drift off from time to time during the lecture. Sitting in class had become more of a formality, in case the professor took attendance, or on the off chance she mentioned something that wasn’t in the text. Dr. Rosenberg did require attendance, but she rarely ventured from the required reading, leaving Olivia bored to tears and fighting off fatigue.
