“Hell, no. It’s too far away. Even with the first half of Epic’s payment and everything I have in savings, I’m still a long way off. Besides, Phillips might be there.”
The thought made her skin crawl. She might have built a professional, no-bullshit demeanor, she might be able to keep hard-ass athletes in line, but she’d never been good with personal confrontation. And the thought of having to answer questions and tolerate whispers and stares ate at her gut like acid. Add to that the reality that Noah would be there, would hear the rumors…
“All your previous clients adore you,” Drake said. “Phillips is the only idiot.”
“An idiot powerful enough to crush my life. I’d rather stay out of his path for a while longer.”
“Which is why this is the perfect event to attend. Phillips has an appearance scheduled at the children’s wing of St. Joseph’s in New Orleans that night.”
That eased the tension in her shoulders. But even if Phillips wouldn’t be there, the rumors followed her everywhere. Besides, there was that chick Noah Skyped every night… “Thanks for thinking of me, but I’m pretty sure Noah’s got someone else in mind to take.”
“I thought you had a no-dating policy in place.”
“I do, but he’s relentless at trying to skirt every rule and arrogant enough to think he can.”
“He hasn’t said anything to me about it, and he’d have to since I’m booking the reservations.
The event is Saturday night at the Playhouse Club in Hollywood. This is a win-win for you both. I’ll talk to him.”
“Drake—”
“I’m not taking no for an answer. I’m going to make you stop and think about where you’re going after this job ends, because Noah isn’t the only one who needs their ass kicked to Siberia. I really couldn’t stand seeing you back at the convalescent home again.”
Julia thought of Dorothy and Mable, Kit and Harold. A mixture of frustration and fondness muddled her emotions. Then she thought of being with Noah in such an intimate environment—the travel time, the hotel, meeting people who knew her, knew her history. He’d get an earful of all her prior digressions…
But maybe that could be a good thing. She wasn’t thrilled with the possi
bility of losing his respect, but it would make him think twice about coming on to her for their remaining time together. The thought of getting a break from having to constantly resist him gave her a twisted sort of relief.
For Julia, the event might take her one step forward in the future but put her two steps back in her professional relationship with Noah. Not exactly the win-win Drake had in mind.
“Look, I know how you love your control, but you can’t order or manipulate me to go. This is Noah’s gig. Let Noah handle it.” She set her mug on the side table and pushed to her feet. “Now, walk out with me. I’ve got to head to Reno to pick up another torture device.”
Noah’s abs burned. His hands stung. Adjusting his grip, he used every muscle he had to drag his feet to the pull-up bar overhead one more time.
His shoes tapped metal, and his hands opened, dropping him to the floor where he bent, pressed hands to knees, and fought to catch his breath. The other guys had already started their last set of double unders with the jump rope, but this workout was killing Noah.
“You’re falling behind,” Julia yelled at him over “Misery of Mankind,” the grungy alternative rock music from Theory of a Deadman.
“Only because they don’t have to do this every day. And they don’t have to board with Rafe the slave driver every day either.”
“Suck it up, pussy,” came from Finn.
“Good thing you’re all the way across the gym, fucker.” Noah staggered to his rope and picked it up, taking a few easy singles to get his rhythm before pushing into the doubles.
Double unders transitioned into pistols, and by the time Noah was deep into the single leg lunges, his quads, glutes, and hamstrings burned like they were on fire.
“Almost done, guys,” Julia called. “Last round. Give it all you’ve got. Finish hard.”
If Noah weren’t worn so thin, he would have dreamed up a sexual connotation for that last comment. But it was taking every ounce of concentration to push his body to the breaking point.
“Forty seconds,” she yelled. “Twenty seconds.” And finally, thank God, “Time.”
Five ridiculously fit men hit the gym floor like their legs were rubber bands. They all stretched out on their backs to catch their breath and relieve screaming muscles. Julia turned down the music, calling, “Great work, guys,” before she disappeared into the kitchen.
Nothing but heavy breaths and moans filled the room for long minutes. Then, one by one, they sat up, wiped down, and returned gear to the shelves.
Noah hurt everywhere. He was so exhausted, his head felt like it was filled with air. Pulling his weights from the bar they’d used in the first half of the workout, he wiped a stream of sweat from his temple before it leaked into his eye. He barely had his equipment put away when Julia was back, passing out recovery shakes.