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“It takes considerable muscle strength.”
“Without a doubt.”
“How’d you know where to find me?”
“I was knocking on your door. One of your neighbors set me straight. Short brunette with curly hair?”
“Yasmine.” Not usually one who would give out too much of Mariah’s information, but she could just imagine her friend’s explanation —When a man likethatis looking for your friend, you help him any way possible!
The door to the locker room opened, and Karen came out with a large gym bag slung over her shoulder. “Dr. Culver, I didn’t realize that was you.”
Sawyer whipped his head toward her. “Hi, Karen. How are you doing?”
“Doing super. Thanks, in part, to you.”
“You look healthy,” he said, taking on a professional air, probably without even realizing he did it.
“Gall bladders are overrated anyway,” Karen said with a grin. “Do you, um…” Her features twisted in confusion. “Do you dance?”
“No.” Sawyer shot a regretful look to Mariah. “I mean, no … not this kind of dancing. Only amateur attempts at weddings…” He closed his eyes as if also sorry he’d brought up last weekend, and Mariah did laugh.
“He’s not half-bad, either,” she said. “Didn’t step on my toes once.”
“Oh.” Karen’s expression morphed to understanding. “Oh. You two—”
“My brother married his sister last weekend,” Mariah explained, considering herself extra merciful tonight. Though Sawyer’s discomfort was kind of cute, she had no desire to mess with his professionalism.
“Amazing! Oh, there’s my ride. Good to see you, Dr. Culver. Night, Mariah.”
And they were left alone. Just the way Mariah wanted it. Next challenge, keeping him close for more than two minutes.
“I’m heading to the juice bar down the block. Want to come with?” she asked.
“Juice bar… I guess I could do that.”
“Let me grab my bag.” Mariah hurried into the locker room and got her stuff, worried Sawyer would bolt again. When she came back out thirty seconds later, she got the full-on light, bubbly sensation in her chest and heard theyesssin her mind again just from looking at him. “You’re still here,” she said lightly.
“Did you think I would— Ah.” Sawyer sported a self-effacing grin. “Guess I do have a history of deserting you, don’t I?”
They went to the door, and Mariah slipped beneath his arm out into the balmy May evening as he held it open for her.
* * *
Sawyer caughta hint of her scent as she passed. It was exotic and feminine, with an earthy undertone from the workout she’d just finished.
“It was no big deal,” she said as she locked up. “I remembered you had to golf.”
Sawyer didn’t remember telling her he had to golf, of course. “Tee time or not, I should have told you I was leaving. I … I flipped out a little. Not my standard MO, actually.”
“Flipping out?” He felt Mariah studying him from the side as they walked along the sidewalk. “I can kind of see that’s not your norm. You seem … pretty cool in general.”
If only she knew how uncool she makes me…
“Cool is not a word I would use for the way I acted Saturday night. And I was referring to shacking up for a night with a woman I barely know. I’m sorry, Mariah. That was not me.”
“Weddings are crazy. Always. I don’t know what it is that makes the guests go so nuts — other than free alcohol, of course.”
“My head hurt for two full days.”
