A Rose in Bloom

“Don’t you have work to do? Have you set up an appointment with that girl who wants a personal trainer?”

“Yup.” He smirked.

“Good… That’s good.”

Jaxon forced his attention back to his task of completing fifty lunges, while attempting to keep the car parked across the street in his side vision. It was a fancy jacked-up truck, definitely not the type of car driven by Elyssa’s usual customers. He hadn’t seen the driver, so it was possible the person had parked on the side street before visiting another business on that block, like the barbershop or Donut Dock. But the truck had been parked in the same spot all morning, and he couldn’t help but wonder about the owner. If only he could see in through the side window of A Rose in Bloom, but the reflection from the sun’s glare on the window made that impossible.

“Mack?” Nate cocked his head to one side.

“Huh? What do you need?”

“You did two lunges, and now you’re just standing there, staring out the window. Not very inspiring to our other patrons, are you?” One corner of his mouth pulled up in a smirk.

“And how are you inspiring them, standing there leaning against the desk?”

He raised his brows. “Well since I just finished leading a ninety minute spin class, I think I can afford a ten minute break. You, on the other hand, have done zero since you got here this morning. I’m just shocked because it isn’t like you. What gives?”

“Look, I’m the owner and you’re the employee. You don’t have any right to criticize me.” Jaxon regretted his harsh words when Nate stiffened, his brows dipping down over his eyes.

“Sorry, boss.” He pivoted on one foot and headed toward the back.

“Wait! I’m sorry, Nate. I didn’t mean that.” Jaxon caught up with him, grabbing his arm. “I’m only grouchy because I didn’t sleep well last night.”

Nate snatched his arm from his grasp. “We’ve been friends for a long time, Jaxon. This is the first time you’ve ever acted superior, so I’ll cut you some slack. Even though you’re my boss right now, that won’t always be true. The pay around here isn’t that great, you know.”

“I know Nate, and I appreciate your work. You’ll be making a lot more once I can expand the gym. Money’s just tight right now. If it makes you feel any better, you’re making more money than I am.”

“Is that what’s wrong with you? Are you still trying to buy that building across the street? I thought you told me that girl refused to even discuss the possibility of a sale.”

“Yes, but I’m working on her. I think I’ll be able to wear her down eventually.”

“It’s not the only building that would suit your gym. Why don’t you have your real estate agent look at other options?”

“Because right now we’re the only gym within walking distance from the Palmer Building, and Elyssa’s building is the only one with the right square footage if we want to stay within walking distance.”

Nate narrowed his eyes. “Why do I get the distinct impression where Elyssa Rose is concerned, you care about more than just her building?”

He bent to retie his shoelace, attempting to cover the rush of blood to his face. “Look, I think I need to take a run outside—get some fresh air. I’ll be back in forty.”

Ignoring Nate’s chuckle, he trotted to the door. Outside, he immediately found himself crossing the street, casually stopping to stretch on the curb while checking out the fancy truck. Glancing behind him, he realized he could see into Elyssa’s shop. She was talking to a man, standing way too close for a customer interaction. He must be the owner of the truck. She threw back her head in laughter, and then touched his arm as she spoke to him. He responded with a smile, pulling her into an embrace. She didn’t act awkward at all as they walked toward the back, arm in arm.

He couldn’t believe it. She was with another guy only a few hours after accepting his invitation to a dinner date. Well… maybe it wasn’t exactly a date, but it had the potential of being a date. And if she was as innocent as she'd claimed, why was she so comfortable in this man’s arms.

He was inside the door of the shop before he’d even realized he was moving. She twisted toward the door when the little bell rang, and the guy’s arm fell off her shoulder.

*****

“Jaxon, what are you doing here?” The last thing she needed was Jaxon making an appearance when Scotty was around. She’d only just managed to convince him of her success and independence.

“Who’s he?” asked Scotty, a deep furrow creasing his forehead.

“He’s nobody. He’s just the guy who owns the gym across the street.” She shot Jaxon a look, silently pleading with him to go along with her story.

“That’s right. I’m just the guy who owns the gym across the street.”

She let out a relieved breath, until she saw his expression. His grin was just like Lucifer’s. Oh no… What was he going to say?

“Of course we did spend the night together last night.”