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  When she beams at the compliment, my body tightens. Yeah, she isn’t the only one who’s going to have trouble walking tomorrow.

  12

  Allison

  May

  The ticking of the clock echoes in the large conference room. Tick, tick, tick. Why have I never noticed that before?

  I glance up at the wall. Huh, that’s a digital clock. So where is the ticking coming from? My eyes drift down and I catch sight of the pen in my hand. It’s me. I’m the culprit. Back and forth, my thumb clicks the top of the company pen I’m holding.

  Dropping it onto my legal pad, I lean back in my chair and run my fingers through my hair. I have too much energy and can’t stop fidgeting.

  I have to admit that when Mateo invited me for an impromptu lunch-hour run, I'd expected things between us to be awkward. I mean, the last time we saw each other was at the parkour place last week. When he’d been with his “client.” The one who looked like she fell off the back of the truck from the supermodel-manufacturing factory. I don’t know what got into me that day. I acted weird as hell when I saw them together. I guess it just took me by surprise. Yes, I know, theoretically, that Matty trains other women, that he sees them sweaty and panting in their tiny workout gear, that he puts his hands on their bodies. But actually seeing it with my own eyes? That caught me off guard. And of course he interpreted it as me being jealous. But I wasn’t. I swear. I was just surprised. Really. I wasn’t jealous.

  Anyway, when we saw each other today, he was nice enough not to bring it up. We were able to just enjoy our short workout like friends, without any of the weirdness.

  I lean forward and rest against the table. With a quick glance at the clock, I realize I’m early. Thank you, new project excitement. I still have ten minutes. Maybe I can get some stretching in before Dani and the junior associate (whose name I didn’t recognize when I read the email Dani sent me) join me. I have plenty of time.

  The door is already closed. Unfortunately, the window to the hallway has no blinds.

  I kick off my heels and move to the corner along the same wall as the window, making sure I have a good view of the door. I’m pretty sure no one walking past could see me so I feel safe and secure in my little spot.

  I pull one of the extra chairs closer and put my foot on the seat, leaning forward just enough to stretch out one of my calves.

  “Oh, man, that feels good,” I groan softly before biting my lower lip. I stay in that position for quite a while. A few weeks ago, I would have given up after a couple seconds, but now, it’s becoming noticeably easier. I switch to the other leg and feel the same kind of relief. I really need to do this more often.

  I take a seat after turning the chair so it faces the wall and plant my foot as high as I can reach. I lean forward and another muscle starts to stretch out. An even louder groan leaves my lips. I glance at the window and don’t see anyone. Hopefully I wasn’t heard either. As I switch to the other leg, I can’t help but let my mind drift back to Mateo. What would he think of all this? Would he laugh and call me crazy? There’s a good chance of that. But would he be impressed with how much I’ve improved? Maybe, but he would give me another annoying lecture on how every workout needs to end with a good cool-down. Consider this lesson learned.

  Why does Mateo have to be right all the time? Okay, so he’s not right all the time. He just knows his stuff when it comes to the physical. I mean, physical workouts. Don’t think about his hands. Don’t think about his hands.

  I smile as my mind wanders to how happy he is, being in his element. He’s following his dream and has tens of thousands of fans who all drool over his Instagram pics. Those pictures are just the…

  “Allison, what are you doing?”

  Images of Matty in his tight boxer briefs fade from my mind as I snap my head to the door. Dani and the junior associate stand in the doorway staring at me. It’s then that I realize my leg is still propped up against the wall. I bring it back down to the floor and flash them an awkward smile.

  “Stretching,” I answer, my shoulders hunched up to my ears. Finally, I straighten up and head toward the two of them. Dani’s expression tells me she’s still a bit confused, but I do my best to ignore it. My attention goes to the well-dressed man at her side.

  “Hi. I’m Allison. I don’t think we’ve formally met before,” I say, introducing myself. My hand extends for him to take.

  “Nice to meet you,” he says politely. As we shake hands, I realize he’s the junior associate who spotted me in my Beast Mode T-shirt. His mouth begins to open to say something else but I cut him off just in case he’s about to take a trip down memory lane. I can’t give him the opportunity to bring up the damn T-shirt.

  “It’s great you’ll be working with us…”

  Shit! I forget his name. What is it? I think back to Dani’s email from earlier. It starts with an M. I can feel their eyes on me. I have to say something. Say the first name that starts with an M that pops into your head. Just say it!

  “Mateo!”

  Oh shit! Shit, shit, shit! Of all the names, why did I have to say that one? Next to me, I see Dani’s eyes go wide.

  “Cool name, but it’s James,” he explains. The smile on his face is polite but he’s studying me. Or is he judging me?

  “Oookay,” Dani cuts in. “Let’s sit down and get started on this.”

  I nod and my attention returns to the table. I slip on my shoes before I take a seat and reach for my pen. I glance up. Dani is staring at me. She looks like she’s dying to question me - probably about what I had to drink with my lunch. First the leg stretching and then blurting out Mateo’s name. I can only hope James isn’t in the habit of starting office gossip.

  We have piles of meeting notes and email conversations to go over before we dive into the boxes and boxes of contracts and corporate records that have all the information we’ll need for the client and the project we’ve been assigned. Dani hands them out, briefing us on this client and his business. She’s worked with him before and she knows he can be a complete hard-ass.

  “Mr. Pritchett is one of those clients who can make or end careers. His company is looking to buy out a competitor so it’s really important that we dot our i’s and cross our t’s. We need to know everything about the competitor. The last thing we want is a surprise,” she warns. Her eyes stay on James for some time before settling on me.

  “I’ve talked with him a few times on the phone. He definitely doesn’t sugarcoat his thoughts or feelings,” I comment. I scan over a few more lines on the page we’re reviewing.

  Looking up, I notice James has a mildly terrified look on his face. He’s doing his best to mask it but it’s one a lot of junior associates have. I’m sure I had it once or twice when I first started out.

  “Be prepared to work. As long as we do our jobs, everything will be fine,” I tell him, flashing a polite smile before I go back to reading.

  “Yes, Ms. Gottlieb,” James says nervously and his eyes dart back to the documents in front of him.

  Silence falls upon us. Everyone’s reading through the paperwork and making notes. Occasionally, we stop and discuss points that need clarification or that raise red flags. The more we know about the file, the easier it will be to assign tasks. James is given a lot of the mundane items on the to-do list, but he seems eager to please. It makes me smile, remembering how I was ready to fill my plate sky-high in order to get the chance to prove myself. I still do it, if I’m honest.

  “James, why don’t you grab us some coffee?” Dani suggests after another hour passes.

  “Sure!” He’s on his feet and heading to the door before either of us can say another word.

  “Don’t you need our orders?” I ask.

  He stops in the doorway, his hand on the frame. Turning his head, he looks back at me and smiles a little too widely. “Nope. I know what you two like.”

  With that, he’s gone. I look at Dani and shrug. She’s wearing an expression I don’t recognize. Ma
ybe she’s also wondering how he knows what we like to drink.

  “What?” I ask, feeling a bit self-conscious as Dani continues to stare at me. Is there something in my teeth? I thought I checked after I scarfed down my sandwich.

  “You.” Her vague answer tells me nothing. I frown a little.

  “What about me…?”

  “Why did you call him Mateo?”

  I sigh. That’s what this is about. “I don’t know. I swear in your email earlier, his name started with an M. That was the first one I could think of.”

  “Are you sure that’s why?” she asks, folding her hands on top of the table.

  It’s my turn to lift an eyebrow at her. “What do you mean? What other reason would there be?”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” There’s a bit of a sing-song tone to her voice but she gives me no further explanation.

  “Mateo and I are just friends.” I shrug and pick up my pen, clicking it a few times. “I’ve been seeing him a lot lately.”

  “Ooh.”

  “No ‘ooh.’ We’re friends, and he’s helping me get in shape,” I snap. It’s unintentional but I can see her spinning Matty and me into something that isn’t true.

  “You don’t have to get defensive,” Dani chuckles. “It was an honest mistake. I mean, James doesn’t look like Mateo unless you only look at their hair color.”

  I can’t tell if she’s joking or not.

  “Why did you have your foot on the wall when we walked in?” Dani asks after a few seconds of silence.

  “I went running on my lunch break.” I look at her before my eyes go back to the legal pad in front of me. “I didn’t do all of my stretches afterward. By the time I was in here waiting for you guys, I was too ramped up to sit still.”

  Dani nods. The wheels are spinning and I wonder what she’s thinking.

  “I had no idea stretching could be so relaxing,” I quickly add.

  “My wife does yoga every morning. She tries to get me to do the downward dog or the warrior, but I refuse to do anything before my morning coffee. Dakota swears by that stuff. It would probably help you out, too.” Dani flashes a smile at me and it seems sincere.

  “Help me out?”

  “Oh you know, with Serious Allison. You’re always wound up so tight.” Dani isn’t throwing shade at me. She’s simply stating the facts, ones that I’m now well aware of, thank you very much!

  “I know and I’m trying to change some stuff in my life.” My voice is soft. With the door open, who knows how many nosey Nellies are lingering just within earshot.

  “I see that.” Dani clicks her tongue and then smiles. “And honestly, you seem much happier. I swear I heard you humming in the break room last week. I just hope all this extra stuff in your life isn’t going to interfere with the case.”

  “Thanks. I feel happier.” I don’t even have to think about it. I know I’m happier. “And it won’t. I’m more focused than ever.”

  Since making my resolutions, my life has taken a dramatic upswing in both happiness and health. I have one person to thank for it but I’m not going to think about him. At least not right now.

  “So…a bunch of us are going out for drinks after work. You should come with us,” Dani suggests, earmarking one page before closing the notebook in front of her. “I think it would be fun.”

  I nod and mentally review my calendar. For once, I don’t have any appointments or torturous workout routines. “I’ll be there.”

  Dani nods with a smile. I’m about to say something when I notice her attention drifting to the window behind me. I turn my head and watch as James walks by with a drink holder in hand.

  “I’m sorry, ladies. The line was longer than usual,” James apologizes as he walks into the room. Using his foot, he nudges the door closed before putting the tray on the table.

  “I got some muffins too. I wasn’t sure if either of you wanted a snack.” He passes Dani her coffee and then hands me mine.

  “Thank you,” I smile, glancing at him for a moment. “What kind of muffins did you get?”

  “Blueberry, chocolate, and poppy seed.”

  “Chocolate,” Dani chimes in immediately.

  I laugh and say, “I’ll take the blueberry one.”

  “So, Allison…” Dani wipes her hands on one of the napkins and looks over at me. “You never said why you were getting in shape.”

  I look up from my muffin. Thankfully, she sounds more curious than anything. There is no way I am going to tell her about my resolutions, especially not with James in the room.

  “I wanted to get healthier. You know how much I’ve been working the last few years. All those hours spent sitting down haven’t done me any good. And I signed up for the company challenge course.” The last sentence is a bit quieter than the rest and I quickly shove a piece of muffin in my mouth.

  “Did you say ‘challenge course’?” James’ voice is full of excitement. Is he one of those adrenaline junkies who enjoys walking over fire or wading through a pit of mud?

  Nodding, I take a sip of coffee. I don’t want to admit I signed up for something I wasn’t prepared for. But isn’t that why I’m getting Matty’s help? I should be damn proud I’m stepping out of my element and pushing myself.

  “It’s the Raise the Bar Challenge,” I say, my voice still softer than normal. Get it together! Confidence! You got this! “I’ve never done anything like it before, but I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

  “Really?” James’ eyes widen. “I did the last one. It was a lot of fun!” That’s when I realize, he’s the guy who was all hugged up with Benson on the flyer I saw in the break room.

  “Who’s on your team?” Dani’s question catches me off guard.

  I look between the two of them. “I don’t have a team.”

  “Why not?” I don’t know James, so his facial cues are a mystery to me, but he looks extremely puzzled by my statement.

  “I wanted to do this for me.” I swallow hard and wring my hands under the table. “I’m going solo.”

  “But,” Dani chuckles, “it’s a team competition. If you sign up solo, they’ll toss you onto any random team.”

  “What?” Did it say that on the form?

  “Yeah.” She’s very amused. I’m sure she’s also picturing me teamed up with a bunch of number-crunchers from accounting who are far more interested in grilling me about those taxi receipts I filed as approved expenses last month instead of trying to compete for the win.

  “Shit…” I drop the piece of muffin back into the wrapper. “I didn’t know that. Now what am I going to do?”

  Dani and James both give me blank looks.

  “I’m sure you’ll be fine.” James is being Mr. Positive right now and that’s great, but it isn’t helping me.

  I sink down in my chair and try to think. I need a team? Who could I ask? I don’t exactly have a lot of buddies around here. I rack my brain and an idea finally hits me.

  “James, maybe you could be on my team?” I suggest, praying and hoping he’ll agree. After all, he did say that he participated in the last challenge. “I’m sure we can convince Dani to join us if you keep buying her coffee and muffins.”

  “I’m sitting right here,” she reminds us, and I smirk, stealing a glance at her. My attention goes back to James as I cross my fingers under the table.

  He thinks for a few seconds before nodding. “Only if Dani agrees to do it too. My friend Susan can also join in. She mentioned wanting to sign up. I don’t want the organizers to give us a random teammate who won’t be as committed.”

  Both of us stare at Dani, waiting for her answer. My heart starts to drop as I fear that she’ll say no.

  “I’ll do it.” Dani pauses. She organizes the stack of papers in front of her before looking up. She smiles. “But you both owe me.”

  “You’re a lifesaver! Whatever you want, you got it.” I laugh with relief, so glad that I don’t have to take my chances with a bunch of strangers.

  “Are yo
u going to tell us what we owe you?” James asks.

  “When I think of something, it’ll be good. You won’t get away with just getting me coffee,” she states with a teasing grin.

  Another voice fills the room. “Excuse me, Ms. Gottlieb.” My intern stands in the doorway. “There’s a call for you holding on line two. She said it was important.”

  I give him a nod and gather my papers. I throw the muffin wrapper in the trash before picking up my coffee cup.

  “Don’t forget about tonight.” Dani’s reminder stops me at the door.

  “I’ll be there.”

  13

  Mateo

  May

  “I need you, Matty! Need you like I’ve never needed you before.”

  I can’t feel my fingers anymore. I lift the cell phone from my ear and inspect my hand. All my digits are present. Only moments ago, right before the call from Allison, every part of my body functioned like normal. But now, as her words flow like nectar from the gods into my ear, all sensation on the right side of my body vanishes.

  Poof!

  “You need me? Like, for a workout?”

  My shoulders sag with relief that my mouth still works while my body succumbs to the paralysis of my dream coming true. Allison Gottlieb needs me. But does she want me?

  “Nooooo! Matty, noooo! And no. And no.”

  I could tell Al was a little distant earlier today when we went for a run at lunch. She made a comment about my client Jodi that caught me off guard. I don’t know what the hell she thinks is going on between Jodi and me, but I hope she realizes that it’s more than a sculpted body that I want. More than physical appearance. I want a woman who’s smart, tough, funny, and maybe a little stubborn to add some heat to the mix. Someone exactly like Allison.

  As much as being with Al and helping her with her resolutions is professionally fulfilling, a big part of me longs for my other dream to be fulfilled. The one that takes place with her in a bedroom.