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“A transformation, huh?” I ask, drumming my fingers on the table, head tilted. “You know this won’t be easy. Getting into shape requires dedication and hard work.”
He sits up straighter, meeting my gaze. “I’m ready for whatever it takes.”
A smile tugs at my lips. “Good. You’ll need that motivation.” I pull a notebook and pen from my bag. “Now, tell me about your training history, injuries, and current fitness level. The more I know, the better I can create a plan tailored for you.”
“Ask me anything,” he says.
My eyes gleam with purpose. “Okay, Brian Russo. Let’s get started.”
As I talk, going over the details of his customized training plan, I catch Brian studying me with those deep brown eyes. Heat floods my cheeks when his gaze lingers on my mouth, and I falter mid-sentence. Clearing my throat, I glance down at the paperwork in front of me to avoid staring back. What is wrong with me? I’ve worked with attractive clients before and never reacted this way. Maybe it’s because he’s Diane’s dad. The man I crushed on as a girl.
I risk another peek at Brian and try to hide my blushing. He still looks unfairly handsome, his age only sharpening his features. The hint of silver at his temples and the faint lines fanning from his eyes do nothing to diminish his appeal. If anything, they make him more distinguished.
Internally berating myself, I refocus on the consultation. This is completely inappropriate, and I need to get a grip. My behavior is unprofessional, and the last thing I want is for Brian to realize I’m swooning over him like a teenager.
“Okay, based on what you’ve told me, it sounds like you have a solid background from your years in the Marines,” I say, “but you’ve been out of the game for years, so we’ll need to ease you back in. The most important things will be sticking to a healthy diet and quitting smoking and excessive drinking.”
I level him with a stern look, and he shifts in his seat.
“How did you know about that?”
“Just a hunch,” I shrug. “For your training plan to work, you have to commit to being in top shape. That means clean living and fuelling your body right.”
“Yeah,” he says. “I’m already working on cleaning up my act.”
“Good.” I nod, my gaze softening. “If you stick with it, I know we can get you back to fighting form in a few months, but you have to put in the hard work.”
“Absolutely. I’m ready for it.” he leans forward and stares intently into my eyes, causing my heart to pound. “So, where do we start?”
“Where do you usually work out?” I ask.
“I don’t,” he says, laughing.
I feel like an idiot. “I mean, where would you usually work out if you could?”
“My house, the gym,” he says.
“Okay then, we’ll have your first workout at…your house,” I say. I don’t know why I stutter before finishing my sentence. The thought of visiting this very handsome man’s house, my friend’s place, to meet her father without her being present, shakes me to my core. I look away and hope he doesn’t catch me blushing.
But that’s just hoping for a little too much luck because when I look back at him, he’s giving me this amused look with a half-smile, which makes me feel like he can read my thoughts.
“All right then, Tanya,” he says, leaning closer to me. “I’ll see you at my house. I guess it’s goodbye…till then.”
After what seems like an eternity, we finish the meeting. I stand on shaky legs, cap my pen, and get up to leave, clutching my bag to my chest like a shield.
Brian seems enthusiastic, and although I’m slightly weirded out by the fact that he’s Diane’s dad, I’m optimistic that this could go well. There’s just one major catch: the undeniable and intense attraction I seem to feel for him. Outside, we exchange numbers so that we can organize our first session before we part ways. I suck in a deep breath of the warm afternoon air, trying to calm my racing pulse. What is wrong with me? I’ve never reacted this way to a client before, and it’s completely unprofessional. I hope he didn’t notice how obviously attracted to him I am.
I flag down a taxi and direct it toward the gym, grateful for the respite the ride provides. Maybe some intense exercise will burn off this unwanted energy and clear my head.
After a grueling workout, I emerge from the locker room feeling pleasantly depleted but still restless. I need to talk to someone about this, and as I can’t talk to Diane, there’s only one person I can confide in.
I call my next closest friend, Alisha, as I walk to the bus stop, the sun dipping low in the sky. “We need to talk,” I say when she answers.
“Spill,” she demands, and I can hear the concern in her voice. She knows me too well.
“Can we meet?” I ask.
In the evening, I meet Alisha at our usual coffee shop. She’s bursting with questions after I tell her about my meeting with Brian, and I fill her in on the details over lattes and muffins.
