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I was.
“And I said fuck again. Sorry.” I flap the neck of my white tee shirt back and forth nervously as my body fires up like a furnace.
Shut up, shut up, shut up.
“What I was trying to say, well, that I think, you’re really—”
“Pretty.” She finishes my sentence.
I’m never getting to return home to Scotland. I’ll be in court next week for sexual harassment.
I nod and hold my tongue for fear of more inappropriate ramblings that may fly out of my mouth.
I hike my thumb over my shoulder. “I better get back to work. Forget what I said. As soon as you’re finished, I think we will close up because no one has been in this gym after ten o'clock at night for months, apparently.” I look around the unwelcoming space. “The remodeling I would do to this gym.” Ideas enter my head.
She puts me on the spot. “Oh, yeah, what would you do?”
To her or the gym?
It’s the most she’s said to me and I love her sweet harmonic American accent that pulls at my dick.
Not now, Lincoln.
“For a start, install security cameras inside and out. Security men on the doors at night. A woman-only section over there.” I point to the area in the corner that could easily be sectioned off. “Better lighting outside. The place needs painted and modern fixtures. The showers in the changing rooms direly need upgrading, and then there's the dance studio. It could do with a sprung floor. I reckon the local cheer teams would hire the facilities. Interactive touchscreen fitness mirrors so people can work out with a virtual instructor because they don’t deliver fitness classes. Since I started here, that’s what people ask for and I reckon that’s the primary reason people don’t buy memberships. I’d also have a no mirror section too. For those conscious about their physique. That would entice more members.”
I turn to face Lucy again. I would do so much more. “That’s for starters. This place could be outstanding.”
“Wow, you’ve really given it some thought. What do you do in Scotland?” Her sultry voice is faint.
“Hospitality.” If I tell her I co-own a five-star spa and hotel resort, it makes me sound like an entitled spoiled dick. Which maybe I am, but my father made me work in every section of the hotel to learn every nook and cranny of the running of our hotel, from the catering, laundry, pool maintenance, to the silver service, events coordination, and fine dining. My share in the hotel wasn’t given to me; I had to earn it and I did. I worked my ass off in that place. Harder than anyone else. I love it or I wouldn’t do it.
I’m itching to get back.
Six months of traveling. What was my dad thinking?
In fact, I know what he was thinking. He was making sure he hadn’t clipped my wings and kept me back from seeking my own life path. When in fact, I love what I do. I love my life and I love my hometown of Castleview Cove.
Time stretches between us like an elasticated band when she doesn’t ask me anything else. Well, this feels awkward.
“Okay. I’ll leave you to it.” I walk backward. “I’m sorry about my motormouth.”
“I’ve forgotten what you said already.” Her mouth hitches sideways in a smirk.
“Great.” I turn around and walk straight into the leg curling machine, battering my shin against the rigid cold metal.
Stinging pain followed by a deep throb pulses deep inside my skin.
“Fuck,” I hiss. That’s going to leave a mark, and I bruise like a goddamn peach.
Smooth, Lincoln. Real smooth.
I hear a soft giggle from behind me, then she asks, “Are you okay?”
Casually flapping my hand in the air, I give her a thumbs-up, hobble back into the office, and give my shin a good rub. It’s already turning purple and blue. I knew it. I’ll have to grab some Arnica cream on the way home for my bruise. It’s what my father swore by when I was a wee lad.
Making a fool of myself in front of Lucy was not on my agenda. She must think I’m a complete dumbass.
Over the next hour, I keep my head down and work on the membership attendance spreadsheet Rio asked me to compile. Something they should have an electronic system for. I showed him the perfect system he should invest in, but he brushed me off and said he would put it on the list. He’s a great guy, but an unmotivated manager.
