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I shook my head. I’d brought extra diapers, but other than that, I’d come hopelessly unprepared. That wasn’t like me. I was usually on top of things where Henry was concerned.
“Oh. Well, maybe go get him a frozen banana at the smoothie shop. That might help.”
The woman was a genius. The smoothie shop was next door, between the fitness club and Gymboree. Which meant she’d walk with us.
So much for keeping her at a distance. I’d had no idea she’d be in town this morning, but still… It was becoming increasingly clearer that staying away from Marjorie Steel would be impossible.
I wasn’t sure why I’d thought I’d be able to accomplish it in the first place.
We walked along silently, Henry still clinging to Marj’s hand. Within a minute, we’d reached the smoothie shop.
“See you,” I said.
“Bye, sweetie.” She pulled her fingers out of Henry’s fist.
Nothing to me as she walked toward the gym. I watched her until she disappeared inside the building.
“Ma-ma,” Henry said once more.
Damn.
Chapter Twelve
Marjorie
Mama.
The third time Henry had called me Mama. My heart was at the same time filled with happiness and empty with sadness.
Was I never going to escape from Bryce? It was Saturday. What was he doing in town? He hadn’t spent any quality time with Henry in weeks, and he picked today?
Nothing to be done. I slid my membership card through the entrance and headed toward the ladies’ locker room. A few minutes later, I’d stashed my stuff and made my way to the gym. I checked the class schedule,
but nothing appealed to me. Looked like the elliptical or maybe some free weights. I knew myself. If I started with weights, I wouldn’t do my cardio. That was how much I hated it. So I found an empty machine and got set up.
I programmed what I wanted and then took a drink of my water and set it down. It tipped over and spilled all over the elliptical’s dashboard.
“Here, let me help,” a strange voice said.
I looked up to see a towel. Held by a man.
A very good-looking man.
“Thanks.” I took the towel, wiped up the errant water, and handed it back to him.
“Not a problem.” He held out his hand. “I’m Dominic. Dominic James.”
“Marjorie Steel.” I didn’t take his hand.
“You don’t look like you need to be working out,” he said matter-of-factly. He could have easily sounded like he was coming on to me, but he didn’t. It was an actual compliment.
“Thanks. Neither do you.” No truer words. He was tall and muscular with tan skin and black hair.
“That’s how it stays this way,” he said.
I laughed. “True enough.”
“Mind if I work out next to you?” He indicated the machine to my right that was unoccupied.
