by Holly Hall
This new scent signified something. Was it pitiful for me to wonder if he thought I was worth the cologne?
“Thanks for inviting me. Well, allowing me to come. I had a good time.”
I’d talked his ear off for two hours, but at least he was gracious about it. “Of course. Have a good evening.”
“Get home safe,” he said, and then he headed for the stairs, giving me one last heart-stopping smile before he descended.
And I was left swimming in the impossibilities.
Chapter 10
Ava
“This bitch,” Eddie started as soon as I dropped into my chair on Monday, and by the look on his face, I knew the bitch he was referring to.
“Do I even want to know?” I asked, powering up my laptop.
“You’ll find out soon enough at the staff meeting.”
“How is it you find out all the news before me?”
“Because you’re blissfully oblivious. And because the Design team spills all the tea. Do you want the good news or the bad news first?”
“Good.”
“There is no good news. But the word on the street is, we’re going to be forced to exercise.”
“What?” I hissed, but it came out far louder than I’d anticipated. I’d just battled a monster hangover yesterday, compliments of my weakened tolerance for anything over two drinks, and the prospect of working out made my head swim. On a normal day, I’d have to squeeze a session into my schedule somewhere between the end of my work day and reading in the tub, and that was playing with fire. Self-care was a necessary indulgence to stay sane at this company. “Is that even legal?”
“The boss wouldn’t rest until she found some HR loophole. Bet.” Eddie extended his pinky while he sipped his coffee.
“Motherf—” I cut myself off just as Leigh breezed into the office with her sunglasses still on.
“All-staff meeting in five,” she announced without stopping, continuing into her frosted-glass cubicle. She touted an open-door policy, yet she was the only one who worked behind walls. Because that made sense.
“Does she have to specify that every time? There are fifteen people in this office, of course it’s an all-staff meeting,” Eddie grumbled. If he didn’t provide as much entertainment as he did complaints, I would’ve been more annoyed. But, being the beginning of the week, his bitch-o-meter was still low. I gave him some slack.
Five minutes later, everyone but Leigh was seated around one conference table, all the usual cliques evident. Even in our small office, I’d quickly discovered the divisions between employees. Snickers could be heard from where Marketing and Design congregated, typing was prevalent from the content-creation squad, and Lora and the intern sat together without speaking.
When a hush came over the room and the keyboard clicks quieted, I knew Leigh was nearby. She was like a dementor, sucking all the joy out of everyone. I opened my planner and uncapped my pen like I was preparing for battle.
“We have a lot to cover, but I’ll keep it short. First, as I’m sure some of you have heard because nobody can keep a secret around here”—Eddie shot me a cheeky look—“we have a fitness segment we’re launching in the new year as part of our Wellness branch, which most of you have already been prepping for. And because the tagline we’ve chosen is ‘Anybody, Anywhere, Anytime,’ I’m going to need everyone’s help with this one.”
I felt my naïve hopes that I’d be able to slip out of this crumple like origami. Just my friggin’ luck.
“The emphasis is on finding exercise programs that work for you no matter your size, profession, or social standing, so the idea is for each of you to choose something you can commit to doing at least once a week. This is voluntary”—oh, thank goodness—“but we’ll be offering generous incentives for those who participate, including covering the cost of a class or membership.”
Eddie’s hand immediately shot up. “Can you elaborate on these incentives please?”
“You mean besides the benefit of participation and demonstrating initiative to your boss?” Leigh asked quizzically, raising a flawlessly microbladed brow. “There will be a bonus up for grabs.”
That addition kicked off the murmuring as everyone speculated among themselves about this bonus. These “programs” always started off cordial, but once the competition began, it might as well be Animal Planet up in here. The impeccably styled and intelligent professionals around me would be reduced to hyenas battling for fresh meat. But, me? Forget the bonus; reduce my workload and I’d be golden.
“All programs,” Leigh raised her voice several decibels to speak over the hum, “must be approved by Mona, who I’ve designated as Healthy-Living Coordinator. We do need some variety for this segment, so don’t be afraid to get adventurous. In fact, I hope you do.”
I could barely hear the rest over the chatter in my head. Despite my abhorrence for physical activity, or sweating in general, the bonus would be a perk. I might as well have been shelling out bodily organs every month for what I paid in rent, and bills in the city weren’t cheap. Add in that my wardrobe was basically a repeat mash-up of about eight different items, and I was nearly sold on the idea. I’d just have to figure out something I could tolerate.
I brainstormed for the Wellness segment between planning for my upcoming consults, and by the end of the day, I’d come up with an idea. Seeing as how Leigh needed variety for her segment, I had a solid argument in my favor for using an at-home program. After all, not every Average Joe (or Jane) could delegate time and money to a gym.
With a list of options I’d researched in hand, I approached Mona at her workspace. My success depended on my delivery—I arranged a smile and thrust my shoulders back.
“Hi, Mona. I have an idea to run by you for the Wellness project.”
She looked up from where she was packing some files into her messenger bag. “Great, let’s hear it.”
“Well, I was thinking of everyone who might work from home, or have limited time or equipment, or stay at home full time with their kids—"
“Lora already claimed at-home workouts. I approved her subscription to some fitness model’s workout app.”
“Lora. . .” I snapped my mouth shut before I asked if she intended to use her exercise allowance on cigarettes. “Right. Okay.”
Mona stood and slung her bag over her shoulder, an encouraging smile pasted on her face. She was clearly drinking the Kool-Aid. “Hey, don’t be afraid to get creative. I have a feeling Leigh’s looking for someone who really goes above and beyond to reward the bonus to.”
As dejected as I was, I raked through my thoughts for a program that could be perceived as innovative, something that wasn’t too far out of my comfort zone. I was eager to prove myself to Leigh when it came to content development and broadening my horizons from the Relationship branch, and this was another chance to set myself apart from the others. But if my failed attempts at ascending to the content team were any indication, I was coming up short, and I had no clue who was setting the bar.
“Just curious,” I interrupted on her way out. “Who do you think is the front-runner so far?”
Mona glanced around the office before leaning closer. “I don’t want to speculate, but the rock-climbing gym was pretty ingenious. Just saying. Bye!”
Rock climbing? Mother-effing rock climbing? I ground my teeth as I watched her leave, knowing I had at least an hour’s work to complete before I could head home. That was if I could detract my focus from my current conundrum.
By the time I finished working and took the L home, I’d come up with a solution. Well, something that would contribute to a solution. But there was one question left to ask: would he be game?
This time, it didn’t take thirty minutes of hyping myself up to knock on Theo’s door. Maybe five. That was after the three days I spent poring through Google search results yielded from the terms “lazy girl workouts” and “exercise that doesn’t feel like exercise.”
The remaining doubt I harbored was l
inked to how abruptly Theo had left Saturday night, and part of me questioned the truth behind his excuse. Work, I could understand better than anybody. But was it work at the gym he was entertaining, or another woman in his apartment?
I had no right to be concerned about what he was spending his time on or who he was banging. And that wasn’t me being insecure, it was me being realistic. Still, the magnetism between us battled with my caution, which made for a very confusing time.
I didn’t know much, if anything, about Theo’s past or the women he’d left in it. But I couldn’t have been the first person drawn to his easy humor and humility, that much I was sure of.
“Hey, you,” Theo said when he opened his door. Just like that, I was toast.
Just kidding, but I did swoon a little.
“Hi. Do you have a second? I’m sorry, I didn’t think about the fact that it’s dinnertime and you might be busy and I’m coming to you about a work thing.”
“Dinnertime? Do people still go by those rules?” He stepped aside and waved me through. “Come on in.”
I hadn’t mentally prepared myself to be in his space, which contributed to my stomach doing cartwheels and my brain failing to conjure up something witty to say. His apartment was like mine, but he had an extra window. I could imagine how it would look in the daytime, filled with natural light. Still not enough to make up for the missing bathtub, though. There were glasses lined up by the sink and a few garments scattered about that hadn’t made it to the hamper. And lined up on the wall, just inside the door, was probably the largest sneaker collection I’d ever seen outside a shoe store.
“I should’ve warned you, it’s kind of a bachelor pad. Nothing close to the order you’re used to.”
I snorted. Actually snorted. Little did he know, the order on the outside was to make up for the chaos of my inner self. “That’s a lot of sneakers.”
Theo rubbed the back of his neck and shrugged. “Part of it is the job, part of it is because it’s the one thing I collect. I have somewhat of a uniform at the gym, but I go crazy with my shoes. Kinda like that red lipstick you were wearing Saturday night.” He inclined his head toward the living area and wandered to the couch, but I was still stuck on him remembering my lipstick.
“What do you mean?” While he reclined on the cushions, I hugged my laptop to my chest and perched on the seat of a massive armchair, one reminiscent of man caves and football-watching parties.
“You always seem to have it all together, but those lips told me you have a wild side.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. “It is fun to play. With makeup, I mean.”
“You know how to play up your best features, that’s for sure.”
My eyebrows ratcheted up. “You think my lips are my best feature?”
“I’m still deciding.” He said it so casually, but I felt the effects of his comment for most of the night. He had more features of mine to mull over before choosing a favorite. Mind blown. “Anyway, you said you needed help with something for work?”
Erecting a more professional, unaffected expression, I said, “Yes. We’re supposed to try out a workout program for a Healthy-Living segment we’re putting together. The thing is, they all have to be different, and my idea was taken.” I chewed my lip. “This is far from my expertise, and I thought maybe you could think of something I’ve overlooked.”
“Remember me mentioning my gym, the one I own? And I say that in the least douchey way possible. I can definitely help you out with this.” He leaned closer, smile lines deepening. Totally in his element.
“The thing is, I don’t think a normal everyday workout at a normal everyday gym is going to cut it. I’m sure someone’s already picked that.”
“Have you seen my gym?”
“Clearly not. I think you would’ve known.”
His expression turned mischievous. “So you haven’t looked me up. Don’t worry, I’m not offended.” He gestured for my laptop, which I cracked open and rested on the coffee table.
“Goat yoga? What’s goat yoga?” he said, reading off the last webpage I’d visited.
“When I said I was desperate, I meant it. I was willing to try anything.”
“Anything?”
“Almost anything,” I corrected, angling the keyboard toward him.
He clicked the search bar and typed in the web address for his gym. Grind Fitness.
I shot him a sidelong glance. “There are so many dirty things I could say right now.”
Theo’s lips rolled inward. “When I came up with the name, I didn’t foresee the phone calls I’d get from people thinking it’s a strip club.” He pushed the computer back to me, then stood. “Check it out, get a feel for it. I’m sure you can smell that I’ve been working all day and desperately need a shower. I’ll make it quick so I can help you out.”
“Okay.” I nodded, my eyes following as he retreated to his room, then flicking away when he turned around.
“You hungry at all?”
“Oh. No. Thanks.”
“Help yourself to whatever’s in the fridge if you change your mind. Be back in a sec.” Then I heard another door close and the roar of a showerhead.
I navigated through the website, growing more intimidated with every click. He’d said it was a warehouse gym, but I wasn’t prepared for how gritty and wide-open it was. There was no corner to hide in if you wanted privacy, and the machines were all huge and intimidating. I was almost surprised to find a section with treadmills and exercise bikes instead of more torture equipment.
I had to give it to him, he’d left no stone uncovered when it came to variety. There was even a turf area. For what, I had no clue, but it was a nice touch.
There was no way I could work out there. No flippin’ way.
When I heard him rustling around again a few minutes later, I had my argument ready in my head. And then the entire thing was dismantled when Theo reentered the room and I was ambushed by his after-shower scent. Minty shampoo and fresh soap intermingled to create an aromatic cocktail that went straight to my brain and obliterated my protests.
“What did you think?” he asked, and I noticed, sadly, that he’d had the courtesy to put on a shirt. Was it a courtesy or an inconvenience? I mentally smacked myself in the head so I’d get it together.
“It was, uh, cool.” Cool. Real freakin’ smooth. “Not really my thing, though,” I added, then mentally smacked myself again. My argument, complete with bulleted talking points and reasonings, was nowhere to be found.
But Theo huffed out a laugh and shook his head. “We have something for everybody. You should come visit sometime. I’ll give you a tour.”
I reminded myself of the bonus and Leigh’s signature look of disappointment. Both were incentive enough to make me consider it. And besides, if I was getting a tour, I’d have something to tell Mona if she followed up with me about my impending choice.
“Okay. What could it hurt?”
“That’s the spirit. Really, we have everything you could ever want, and if we don’t, we have ways you can modify the existing equipment.”
“Modify the equipment? I wouldn’t know where to begin with what you have, much less how to change it up. I’m not . . . this isn’t really my thing, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.”
“What do you mean? What sorts of things do you like to do?”
I’m sure he meant activities of the physical variety, but I found myself saying, “Read, decorate, watch movies, write, literally anything but work out.”
I’d expected him to look repulsed, but he only nodded thoughtfully. “And why do you like to do those things?”
Why did anyone breathe? Because it was necessary for survival, just like reading and creating was for me. “Because they’re relaxing,” I said slowly. “And to escape, I guess.”
“Right. To escape. My guess is, you just haven’t found the right activity to help you do that. But when I say there’s something for everyone, I mean it.”
“I’m not b
ig on punishing myself with weights or running miles on a human hamster-wheel,” I warned. As if everything I’d learned wasn’t enough to demonstrate the vast differences between us, this conversation was. He’d soon realize that.
“Give me a chance. What are you doing Sunday?” he said, but I was sure I’d heard him wrong.
“Sunday?”
“I’ll have a lot going on Saturday, and I want to be able to show you around myself. You gonna be busy?”
“I’ll have to check my planner.”
Theo laughed again, and it was one that resonated in his chest. “Never one to give anything away, are you? I promise I don’t bite.”
“No, I seriously have to check my planner. I write everything down in there, and I usually take it with me everywhere but I didn’t think I’d need it.”
“No problem. You can get back to me after you consult the almighty planner.”
When I returned to my apartment and confirmed that I was free on Sunday, I texted Theo to tell him. His response was almost instant.
Awesome. Wear something comfortable and cool.
Chapter 11
Ava
I walked from the station to the gym feeling like I was about to be hazed. Theo was a nice enough guy, but I knew how those personal trainers were. They were all “No excuses, no quitting, and no crying.” All legitimate outcomes, if the day went how I expected.
The clanging of metal and Neanderthal-like grunts filtered through the open doors along the side of the gray warehouse. Luckily, Theo said he’d be in his office, so I went for the glass door adjacent to the others. There was a reception area with a few chairs and a desk, which was empty, and the wall behind it was lined with shelves stocked with tubs of supplements. Meathead stuff, probably.
I followed the hall to the first doorway, as Theo had instructed, and found him sitting behind an expansive desk.
“Fancy,” I greeted.
