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“But you already worked out. Just now.”
“I know. But I still haven’t technically joined, and Rhett told me I have to come in and do the paperwork. Might as well work out, too.”
“All right.” Sunny’s brow narrowed. She looked like she was going to say more, but stopped herself. “Text me later.”
“Yep. And, Sunny. Keep away from Janice for a while, now that you’ve got the beagle.”
Sunny shrugged. “I can’t make any promises.”
Rhett ducked her right hook and blocked the kick from her left that followed. He’d missed his chance to sweep her feet because she’d seen it coming. If Angie had one thing going for her, it was speed. They were both drenched in sweat. Angie was the only woman Rhett had to entertain when he taught Semper Fit Combat. The rest of them did the moves solo or paired up and sparred without making contact. They got their heart rates up, learned some defense moves and nobody got hurt. Perfect. Until Angie came to town.
The rest of the gym circled around, cheering.
Rhett glanced at the clock. “One more minute and we’re calling it.”
Angie took advantage of his distraction and nailed him right in the gut with the flat of her foot. He’d braced for it at the last second, so he didn’t lose his wind, but he stumbled, which sent a good roar through the gym, anyway. He laughed and gave her a high five. “Nice.”
Thank God she only popped in once a year.
As the class dispersed, Rhett noticed a flash of strawberry hair in the crowd. The gym was packed tonight, which happened every Thursday evening when he ran Combat. Stanzi had been watching for at least a little while; he could tell by the look on her face. It was the same look she got whenever he taught her something new: interested, a little bit afraid and a lot determined.
“I don’t think we’ve met.” Hobbs stepped in front of her as Rhett took a few steps in Stanzi’s direction. “I’m Steve Hobbs. One of the coaches.”
“Constance,” Rhett heard her say.
“You’re new?”
“Not really. I never come at night.”
“That makes sense, then,” Hobbs said. “I’m mostly here at night. You taking the 7:00 p.m.?”
“Yes.”
“That’s my class. Go ahead and hop into the warm-up. We’re running a little behind because of Rhett’s Combat class. Pain in the ass. Happens every week.”
“Yeah, I was going to ask...what is that exactly?”
Rhett popped up beside her. “I’ll tell you about it after your class, if you want.” He pointed at Hobbs. “This jerk bothering you?”
Stanzi laughed. “Not yet.” The soft, half-moon dimple she had on her right cheek looked deeper than usual. It took Rhett a moment to realize it was just that she’d dropped some body fat, which seemed suddenly visible today versus a couple of days ago. Her hair was longer, too. In fact, this was the first time Rhett had seen it up in a tiny ponytail.
“She was just admiring my chest,” Hobbs shot back with a grin. He made his pecs bounce.
Rhett shoved him away. “Go warm up,” he told Stanzi. “We’ll do your membership later. And talk about Combat.”
“Okay.” Stanzi’s gaze went back and forth between the two of them before she shook her head with a laugh and moved off to do jumping jacks.
Hobbs turned to him with both eyebrows up in the air. Rhett had known him so long he knew what Hobbs’s brows were saying, no words necessary.Who the hell is that?
“Not your type,” Rhett said. He watched Stanzi do kettlebell swings like a pro. Hard to believe My Pretty Pony had come so far in such a short amount of time.
“Why not?”
“Too smart.”
Hobbs blew out a sharp gust of air. “Guess she’s more your type, then. Her whole body changed when you walked over. She was looking at me with that wholeKeep your distance, dude. Guess I intimidated her with my good looks.” He flexed his biceps, one after the other.
“Yeah, that’s it.”
