Blake hesitated, only slightly.
“You can discuss her credentials during the consultation,” they said. “I assure you I would not assign someone unqualified.”
“Is anyone else available?”
“Our other endurance trainers are fully booked for the next six weeks. I can place you on a waiting list.”
Six weeks. By then, I would be fourteen weeks from the marathon, assuming my calculations were correct. They were correct.
“I could find another gym.”
“You could,” Blake said. “But Dani is one of the strongest coaches in the city for someone at your starting point.”
“My starting point?”
Blake looked toward the treadmill. I followed their gaze.
“That incident was not representative.”
“Of course.”
“You sound unconvinced.”
“I sound diplomatic.”
Dani walked toward us. She had pulled the gray shirt down over her stomach and tied her hair into a higher ponytail. Her expression had shifted. The flirtation and teasing were gone.
“I’m sorry about the reservation,” she said.
The directness surprised me.
“I should have finished before your time began.”
“Yes.”
“And I’m sorry I kept pushing the joke when you were clearly annoyed.”
I studied her. She seemed sincere.
“I accept the apology.”
“Good.” She glanced toward the treadmill. “I’m not sorry I caught you.”
“I had not asked for an apology regarding that.”
“Excellent. We’re making progress.”
There she was. I tightened my grip on the water bottle.
Dani looked at Blake. “Can we use the consultation room?”
“It’s ready.”
She turned to me. “You don’t have to hire me. But you registered for a marathon five months from now, and the last three minutes tell me your current training plan needs adjustment.”
“You have not seen my training plan.”
“I read it.”
