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After a few seconds, I finally closed the distance between us and took it from his hands.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, not hesitating to throw it on.

It was the least he could do after making me endure that ice bath.

The hoodie was already warm from him wearing it and smelled like mint and laundry detergent. It was a little big on me, but cozy and perfect.

“You want to go grab a coffee?” he asked, gesturing toward the strip mall across the street from the gym. There was a small coffee shop next to a boutique and a smoothie place.

“We can do that?” I asked, the napkin jumping into my head.

“It’s a public place,” he said simply, and I nodded.

“Okay, yeah. Sure.” I looked at the bike, then back at him. “We’re not driving there, are we?”

He immediately shook his head, a short laugh escaping him.

“Absolutely not.” He pushed off the bike and started across the lot.

“Wait, why not?” I stopped in my tracks. I really was wary of the bike, but hearing him suddenly change his tune about letting me ride it made me do a double-take.

“You asked me to ride on the bike once before,” I said.

He turned around, still walking backward.

"I'm not putting you on the back of a motorcycle."

My mouth fell open. “Oh, so now you get cautious?”

The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.

“You’re my athlete now.”

I shook my head and hurried to catch up to him.

A sudden urge to ride the thing bubbled up inside me. Why was it that whenever someone told me I couldn't do something, I sort of wanted to do it more?

We walked into Salt & Steam a few minutes later. It was pretty dead at eight o'clock. Only two other people were in the shop.

We walked up to the register, and Rove started asking the barista about the menu. Once he finally placed his order, I stepped up to tell her what I wanted, but Rove was already telling her.

“Can I also get a medium coffee with cream, no sugar?” he said, and my eyebrows rose.

He paid, and then we walked over to a small two-person table by the window.

“You remembered,” I said as I slid into my seat.

It was such a small thing, but somehow it didn't feel small at all.

“I did.” He leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

A few minutes later, the barista brought our drinks and I took a sip, feeling my insides go all gooey and warm. I was no longer chilly. In fact, the coffee was exactly what I needed to put me right again.

“You warming up?” Rove asked, taking a sip of his drink.

I could see something in his expression. Guilt, maybe?