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Pivoting, I blushed the smallest bit and tucked some hair behind my ear.
“Yes, I am trying to…” My eyes moved up and landed on a familiar pair of gray eyes.
I pointed at him, slowly smirking.
“Liam? Hey! What are you doing here?”
He did a double take, his expression going from polite to confused within a blink.
“Haley…hey. I own this place. What about you, why are you here?” he asked, setting the gear aside.
“Wow, that explains the name on the door I guess. That’s crazy.” I approached the counter, setting my hands down on the smooth surface.
“So, what brings you in?”
Liam’s firm jaw flexed as he reached for another padded head piece.
He seemed stressed or agitated, and I wasn’t sure why. All I had done was breathe, so I knew it wasn’t because of me.
“Well, I wanted to ask about a membership or just see what you offered.”
Liam paused his movements, his eyes bouncing back up to meet mine. His dark hair was unruly, like a tidal wave of raven feathers, deliciously soft and silky. It reminded me of the photos I had seen on my way in of the famous guy. The guy in the photo had a busted lip and black eye, but that hair…
“Membership?” His dark brows arched high on his forehead while his eyes remained focused on his task of wiping down the padded gear.
I nodded as a squirmy feeling invaded my stomach. I wished he’d stop what he was doing and just talk to me. I mean, I was a potential customer.
“So does that mean you’re staying in Macon then?” He shifted something under the counter, making his rounded shoulders flex. Good lord, I hadn’t seen muscle like that on a man in—well, ever. It wasn’t bulky, though. He was all lean and toned, like a sculpture.
Suddenly his eyes were on me, and mine were on his shoulders.
Fuck.
“Sorry, what?” I blinked.
His gaze narrowed the slightest bit, and the smallest inkling of a smile curled the outer edges of his lips.
“Macon. You staying?”
“I—I think so…at least for now. I haven’t decided yet.”
Giving me a slight nod with zero emotion whatsoever, he tugged out an application and a pen.
“My gym is open from nine to ten every day. Most guys come in and have their own gear, but we do have gloves and headgear here you can use. It’s cleaned after each use.”
I watched the application, curious if he was going to hand it over at any point.
“What about training with someone? For like self-defense?”
My hands felt heavy as they lay limp on the counter.
Leaning forward on his elbows, his face came impossibly closer.
“I offer sessions to guys training for fights. I have a few guys who offer beginner courses on how to use the equipment and how to punch so you don’t break your wrist. We can get you set up on a few bags and drills so when you come in, you’re getting a good workout. If you’re wanting some kickboxing or basic boxing drills…”
Eyeing his scrap of paper on the counter, I repeated my question.
“What about self-defense? Is there anyone here who teaches that?”
