Ava, youre the best.
So are you, Terri. Youre really mastering those burpees. She patted the red-faced womans arm, smiling as she noted the developing muscle tone. By the end of this course, Ill bet youre in that pair of jeans you bought.
Like a lot of people who hit the gym, Terri had come with a goal to lose weight for an eventin her case, a high school reunion. Once shed hit that goal, Ava encouraged her to reach for another one, so the woman was now fixated on fitting into a size-nine jeans.
Some people worked out for the love of it. But Ava knew the other 95 percent of the world needed incentive. She figured tapping into that was as much a part of her job as modifying a workout to fit a variety of needs.
Thanks to you and this class, I bet Im in them two months ahead of schedule, Terri said, patting her hip as she headed out the door.
You are the kick-ass woman, arent you, rumbled a voice as big as the man framed in the doorway. As always, Ava smiled a little as she noted that Mack had to duck to get through without banging his shaved head. Youd think the guy would have built taller doors given that it was his gym.
Theres a reason the phrase no pain, no gain is popular, she pointed out, taking the towel he offered. Mack Prescott was a man the size of a bulldozer with a face to match, with the personality on par with a bear. Grumbly and gruff with most, but cuddly sweet with some.
If the whining moans from your students are anything to go by, theyre gaining more than they bargained for.
Too much?
They sing your praises right along with those moans, Mack said with a shrug as he moved through the room. She could see him doing a mental check of the inventory, assessing the state of the mats, the chill of the A/C and the quality of the speakers still beating with music. Youve got a way about you, Avathats for sure.
I plan to make the world stronger, one hard body at a time. Ava dabbed the towel at her throat, sopping up the beads of sweat still pooling there. Resistance makes strength, my friend. You know that as well as I do.
I do, indeed. From the looks of it, all those resisting students are going to be in a whole lot of pain later, Mack observed with a smirk. Pretty smart, actually. First you pummel them in workout class so theyre so sore their muscles are crying. Then you lure them in for a massage so you can pummel them on the table, work the knots out of those muscles so theyre ready for your next workout class.
Perfect, right? Ava laughed. I even have Chloe handing out massage flyers at the door.
She was only half joking. Chloe James, the receptionist for the gym, was perched at her desk right outside the door. And she did have flyers advertising Avas massage services. But she wasnt waving them in the air.
Ava slanted a look through the glass walls and smiled.
Probably because the bubbly woman was otherwise occupied.
Have you thought about my little proposition? Mack asked as he straddled one of the workout benches lining the wall.
You know, the propositions I get usually involve booty calls, naked workouts and offers to show off a guys most impressive muscle.
Mack snorted.
Sorry, sweets. Youre not my type.
And that was the sad, sad truth for womankind. Ava had lost count of the number of complaints shed heard over Macks preference for hard bodies of the male variety.
Only one of the reasons I love you, Mack, she said, at ease with him as she was with few men. Another is your impeccable taste, of course.
You mean in wanting you to come on board as a partner? Im serious about it, Ava. I need someone I can trust, and youre my top pick.
But she didnt know if she ever wanted to be a mans top pick at anything. Or if she wanted the responsibilities and stresses of being part owner of anything, even a business she loved. So she simply shrugged.
I havent given it much thought yet, she said.
Well, I told you Id give you until the end of the week before I asked anyone elseso take as much time as you need. He got to his feet with a grace at odds with his size and offered a smile so reminiscent of his cousins that her heart squeezed for a second.
I dont think
Dont answer yet, he interrupted. Just think about it. If its the money, we can figure that out. If its the workload, well hash that out. If its because you dont want to make another commitment to a Prescott, well, that would make you a wimp. And we both know youre not a wimp.
Ava angled her chin, pretending she wasnt insulted at the idea of returning to wimpiness after so many years of wallowing under the weight of her wimp crown. But she couldnt ignore the tight knot in her gut at his reference to Elijah. She spent so much of her life acting as if Elijah didnt exist that being reminded of him twice in as many seconds was a little much.
Im a good trainer, and excellent massage therapist. But I dont I know that I want to be a businesswoman, she said stiffly. Then, with a roll of her eyes at his sharp expressionGod, the man could nag without saying a wordshe lifted one hand in surrender. But Ill think about it, and well talk next week.
Atta girl. Youve done good, Ava. Laying one beefy hand on her shoulder, Mack gave it a quick squeeze. You should put some of that energy into your personal life now. You know, give one of those propositions a chance. Go on a date or something.
She almost laughed. But knowing itd be hysterical laughter tinged with horror, Ava managed to keep her response to a shake of her head.
The answer to thatd be a no.
Actually, thatd be a hell, no. Or even a hell, no, never, no way, not a chance.
But she didnt say any of that aloud. Not because she wanted to encourage Mack, but because she didnt want to hurt his feelings. The poor guy had strong family loyalties, and her reasons for the multiple forms of no would slam right up against that devotion.
So Ava cleared her expression and gave him her best upbeat smile.
Im much too busy for dating, my friend. And from the sound of this plan of yours, just considering it will keep me even busier.
Maybe I should rescind the offer.
No way, Ava objected, punching him in the arm. Since she knew it would be like ramming her knuckles into solid steel, she pulled the punch so it was more a graze of skin on skin. Still, her forearm sang at the impact. Not if it means I have to rescind my no-dating rule.
Maybe I should make that a part of the deal. You know, all gym owners are required to have an active social life.
Her social life was as active as she wanted. It revolved around work, fitness, hanging out with a few friends and... Hmm. Ava stopped to consider, but she couldnt think of anything else. Which was absolutely perfect.
That kind of talk will be factored into my considerations, she warned.
Forget I said it, Mack shot over his shoulder as he headed out the door.
Ava was still laughing as she started cleaning the room for the next class. But she wasnt changing her mind. Dating led to relationships. Relationships meant commitment. Commitment guaranteed heartache. Shed done her time, had her share. She was finished.
It was only after accepting that that shed created the perfect life. It wasnt the life her parents had outlined for her, it wasnt the one her large, opinionated extended family expected of her. It wasnt even close to the one shed envisioned for herself when shed been a country-club princess/society bride with no higher goal than planning the perfect party, obsessing over whether the whites were white enough and making sure all her husbands needs were met.
It was only after accepting that that shed created the perfect life. It wasnt the life her parents had outlined for her, it wasnt the one her large, opinionated extended family expected of her. It wasnt even close to the one shed envisioned for herself when shed been a country-club princess/society bride with no higher goal than planning the perfect party, obsessing over whether the whites were white enough and making sure all her husbands needs were met.
But her life now? It worked for her. Why mess with something that was going well?
On the other hand, she loved Macks gym. It had an excellent reputation, a savvy owner, an ever-growing clientele and the perfect location for what she wanted to build. With all the traveling he was doing now for fitness competitions and training, she could see his need to take on a partner.
And shed be good at it. She understood their clientele, she could step into almost any role. Personal training, massage, teaching classes, scheduling, bookkeeping, even advertising. Shed helped with all of that over the last couple of years, so she definitely had the experience.
What she didnt have was money. At least, not readily available. Lips pursed, Ava finished wiping down the last mat. She had plenty in trust. But she couldnt access the funds until her thirtieth birthday unless her parents okayed it.
Something to think about, she decided as she moved around the room gathering abandoned towels and empty water bottles.
Of bigger importance than finding the funds was the idea of working for someone besides Mack. The large bodybuilder was the perfect boss. He let Ava choose her own hours, design her own classes, come and go as she pleased. But if he brought in a new partner, that could change.
Ava strode out of the classroom into the gyms reception area. At the chest-high desk, perched on a stool and writing in her planner sat Chloe. Probably the only woman in the world who could pull off the cat-eyed makeup with flaxen-blond dreadlocks, her tie-dye tee proclaimed her belief that Love Is the Ultimate Trip.
Part-time receptionist, all-round party girl and, much to the surprise of both, one of Avas best friends.
You whipped some butts, girlfriend. Ive rarely seen such a sweaty, bedraggled bunch limping out of that classroom as those students today, Chloe said, her expression somewhere between impressed and amused. And look at you, fresh as a daisy.
Maybe not quite daisy fresh, Ava denied with a grin, gratefully unbraiding her hair and running her fingers through the long tresses. I definitely need to hit the showers before my next class.
Half those students were hobbling, Chloe said, giving Ava a quick up-and-down inspection. Sure, Avas workout bra was soaked and the tank she wore over it spotted with sweat. But her face was pain-free, her gait easy and her smile bright.
Bet they loved it, though, Ava shot back with a smile, angling her head to look at the latest page of art in Chloes planner. The double-page spread was decorated with colorful butterflies and a flourish of sharp-edged flowers bordering her weekly to-do list.
More than once Ava had suggested that her friend keep track of all her goals, appointments and scheduling on her phone or computer, but Chloe argued that the left brain was engaged by the act of handwriting. She sometimes threw in things like creativity fostering energy or a pretty planner lowering stress, but the bottom line was, Chloe detested technology. Still, her method worked great for her.
Chloes obsessions with planning every second of her life had started a few months back when her boyfriend had snuck out of her bed to run after his dream of being an archeologist. Or, considering that he didnt have a degree, any plans to go back to school or any money, to dig in the dirt.
Shed accepted Avas shoulder at the time, but as soon as she was through crying on it, Chloe was sure her man would be back. Ava had talked herself blue in the face, but the woman wouldnt budge.
Chloe had complete faith that Bones would be back.
To make ends meet, in addition to working part-time at the gym, Chloe worked the counter of the health-food store up the street, led bike tours through Napa Valley and ran her own dog-walking business.
Does this mean youre double booked tomorrow morning? Ava asked with a frown, pointing to the sketch of a cute pair of Yorkies.
My bike tour finishes at the Wine Train, so Mrs. Burns is dropping off Dinky and Winky for their walk and picking them up later.
Avas brows arched. Apparently filling every moment of every day wasnt enough to keep Chloe too busy to think about Bonesor Derek Herringbone to some people. Now she was double booking herself.
It was crazy. The curvy blonde had a way with people that Ava envied. Her combination of pinup girl looks, good-natured flirting and friendliness put everyone at ease. She had guys lining up to date her, but she said her heart belonged to Bones. So instead of dating, she played matchmaker to any guy who asked her out.
Id try to talk you into joining me on the bike tour since you could use the fresh air and the vines are gorgeous this time of year. But you have a pile of new massage appointments that Im sure youll use as an excuse to avoid socializing, Chloe said with a friendly eye roll as she handed Ava a clipboard.
I socialize enough, Ava replied, flipping through the list of names and client information, along with her appointment schedule. It would all be better logged into a computer with a central booking system, but like Chloe, Mack was a technophobe who preferred paper.
Silly, Ava thought. It was one thing shed definitely want to change if she ever did partner up.
Two of these are new, she said, reading one of the names listed on the next days schedule. Did they fill out an input form?
Nope. Mack added them to your schedule and said it was all good, Chloe replied, flicking her fingers to dismiss things like client identity, health backgrounds and pertinent information.
Ava wrinkled her nose but didnt object. She appreciated Macks support and all the clients he sent her way. Shed have to buy him one of those big green, filled-with-so-much-healthy-stuff-they-tasted-gross drinks as a thank-you.
Hed brush it off, she knew. A few years back, Mack had taken it upon himself to look out for her. Or as he put it, to watch her ass. He liked to think she couldnt manage her life without him. Avas smile flickered, since she wasnt sure he hadnt been right.
Then.
Now, though, she was stronger. Shed learned to stand on her own feet, to defend herself and, yes, to watch her own ass if necessary. But Mack wasnt ready to give up his role as her overprotective caretaker. He was stubborn that way.
If you wont join the tour, how about a hike through Glass Beach this weekend? Im free Saturday morning.
Just us, or are you educating a bunch of strangers on the beauty of the Napa River and the history and ecosystem of the wetlands?
Just us, Chloe promised before her smile winked out. Unless Bones makes it home for the weekend.
Have you heard from him? Ava asked cautiously.
No. But Im sure I will any day now. Frowning at Avas doubtful look, Chloe shook her head. Weve been together since we were fourteen. You dont spend a decade with a person and not know them. This is just a phase. Something he has to get out of his system. Believe mehe will be back.