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I make my coffee and then head out to work for the day, but I struggle to focus all day and keep watching the clock, ready to leave as soon as it is time to meet Isabella after school. Knowing that it is going to be a really difficult conversation to have with her.
I pull into my driveway and put the car in park. This is not going to be easy. Gathering my work bag, I step out of the car and come face to face with Gabi.
She jumps a little when I jump. "Alex, I'm sorry. Oh, my goodness. Um – "
"Gabi?" I say, at a loss for words. My eyes were on her lips.
"I just wanted to bring this over. For some reason, it was in my mailbox." She hands me a stack of mail. I take it from her hand, my fingers brushing her soft skin for a second. "Thanks," I say, awkwardly.
"Um - ok - well. I will see you at four. For class. I will see Bella at four for class." She hesitates and then turns to walk away. I can't stop looking at her. She is in her gym gear already and she looks incredible. I picture her lips pressed against mine and how soft they were.
When Bella gets home, I tell her to hurry up as we need to leave. We are going to Gabi's class. Seeing Gabi, a little while ago has thrown me off completely and now I just want to get to the class as soon as possible.
Bella does not waste a moment though. She runs to her room and rushes out moments later fully dressed in her gym gear. She is over the moon with excitement.
When we walk into the gym, I see it is quite busy today. The workout section is full of people and there is a group of kids running around getting ready for the class that Bella is also doing.
In the crowd, my eyes go straight to Gabi. She looks up from the group of kids that are standing around her and waves to me, smiling.
I wave back and Gabi dumps her gym bag in my hands and rushes over to join the other kids. She runs into the crowd of kids and starts introducing herself.
I take a seat, then I stand up, then I take a seat again. Get a grip, Alex. What is going on with you?
While the class is on, I am watching Gabi the entire time.
She is amazing with the kids.
She looks amazing in her gym gear.
I walk over to the front desk and ask the girl standing behind the computer to sign me up for a gym membership.
I think I have lost my mind.
The next day while Bella is at school, I head over to Gabi's gym to do a workout, but I know I am really heading over there to see Gabi.
She is surprised when I walk in. She comes over to me, glowing with perspiration. "Alex? There isn't a class today. Oh. Where is Bella?"
"She's at school. I joined the gym yesterday. I figured I could work out while she was doing your classes." I say quickly to make it seem less weird.
"Oh. That's a good idea. You know with the membership you can join in with our martial arts classes. I heard you did a bit yourself?"
"You heard?" I say, watching her lips while she speaks. I want to pull her into my arms and kiss her again. She is glowing after what must have been an energetic class and I want to reach out and touch her soft skin, feel the heat of it against mine.
"Well, anyways. I have to get back to work. I have a class starting now. Enjoy your workout." Then she smiles, turns, and walks away and I stare at her figure in those tight pants. She heads over to the mat area where her client is waiting. A guy just a bit younger than me is here for a private martial arts class. I feel myself growing jealous. Maybe I should take a class with her. How would I hide the reaction of my body with hers so close to mine though? I shake my head. No. It is a bad idea.
After my workout, where I hardly managed to actually work out because I was watching Gabi the entire time, I was filling my water bottle when she walked past me. She stops, seeing me there. "How was the gym? Did you enjoy it?"
The area is quieter now and I think to myself, I could just kiss her now. People wouldn't even notice really.
"Gabi?" Someone shouts from inside the mat area. "Did you see where I put my gloves?"
She smiles, absolutely gorgeous. "Sorry - uh - I hope you enjoyed it." Then she is gone again and all I can picture are her lips.
I shake my head, wondering what is wrong with me.
On Friday night, Bella is invited to a sleepover party at a new friend's house. She is already making new friends at school and her confidence is growing by the minute. There has not been another bullying incident. I hope it stays that way.
I drop her off at her friend's house and go inside briefly to meet the parents. There is a house full of kids Bella's age. She runs in greets everyone and shouts, "Bye, Dad. See you tomorrow." I smile. I like this version of her.
