“Serious child? Nose stuck in a book?”
Her eyes turned big and round as saucers. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
He chuckled, which only made her smile once more. He didn’t see any hint of her attitude from the last time they were together. He wouldn’t bring it up. “You didn’t and you’re right. I was that kid in school who was always reading. Not that popular in high school. What about you? Prom queen?”
Heather reached for another piece of popcorn. “I was. I was even voted 'most likely to succeed.'“
He nudged her shoulder. “There you go.”
She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Not really. My date for the night didn’t even…”
“Didn’t what?”
She sighed. “Let’s say that he came with me, but left with another girl.”
/> “Ouch.”
“Yeah. I have had little success in dating.”
“Things change, right?”
She shrugged. “I guess but I like my life the way it is. Except for…” She lowered her eyes to her knee. “This thing.”
“You’ll be back on your feet in no time.”
“I should, right? I mean the physical therapist is kicking my butt. You would think he would take it easy on me.”
Allen grinned. She was definitely better since the last time. “He sounds tough.”
“Oh, but he’s nothing compared to my Pilates classes.”
“Are you saying he can’t keep up?”
She leaned in closer. “Can you keep up during a one thousand abdominal challenge?”
“I work out when I can. At least three times a week,” Allen said.
Heather’s mouth twisted into a grin. “I don’t think so, but you could last for about four hundred.”
“You have abdominal workouts like that?”
“I’m a professional.”
Allen smiled. “I might take you up on that.”
What? He wouldn’t visit where she worked. Once their sessions were over, he would settle for waving to her as they met on the street. He cleared his throat.
“I might hold you to that,” she said. Then she slid her hand over and popped a piece of popcorn in her mouth.
Allen’s eyes perused the room to see if her mother saw.
Heather winked. “She knows I eat some. Don’t worry.”
Allen reached for another piece only to brush his fingers against hers. His fingers tingled and the sensation traveled up his arm. Heather’s eyes dilated, and she licked her lips. Did she feel it too?
“Looks like you’re almost finished,” she said, pointing to his string.
Allen lowered his gaze to see the progress he made. “I guess so.”