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Vi’s jaw slacked. “How?”
Paige’s scrutinizing look made Vi squirm. Then her friend flashed her trademark smile. “I’ll help. And Rory will love every second of it.”
Back glued to the bench, Rory pumped iron. When his upper body muscles performed up to par, it helped distribute his weight and evened out the pressure on his legs. No stopping until the limp disappeared. If only exercise would satiate his need to see Vi again.
He had sailed through his day with superpower strength. Overall, his pre-date idea had been a success. His heart still ached over Vi’s admission, but her resiliency had impressed him. Then he’d smacked headlong into another hidden reef, all sharp and prickly. Her positive response about the evening had given him hope. He needed more time to get through the other hurdles, and the gala would be the perfect way to make it happen.
He’d hung out most of the day at Peeps, doing paperwork and inventing errands near the massage area. The glimpses he’d managed were mostly the back of her head. He needed another face-to-face to plead his case for the gala. If Vi wouldn’t go with him, he’d have to strategize how to stay away from the man-hunters. And the cougars. He groaned. Dare she blame him for not wanting to ring in the new year holed up in the men’s bathroom?
Finishing the last reps, he toweled off before hitting the shower. Jesse strode toward him with an enigmatic smile. “How was your date last night?”
Rory lifted a brow. News traveled fast. “Low-key. Sweet. Hard.”
Jesse’s grin widened. “You’re learning.”
“What am I learning, dude?”
“About the kind of girl you’ve got. Brenna’s not a party girl, and Vi doesn’t strike me as the type either.”
“You got it right. I’ve asked her to be my date for the gala this weekend, but she hasn’t given me an answer yet.”
“Mm. Have you seen her today?” Jesse knew the event ranked high for future expansion contacts.
“No, though not for lack of trying.”
Jesse scrubbed his jaw. “I’m going to Paige’s tonight to see Brenna. They’ll cook dinner. We’ll visit and probably watch a movie. Doesn’t matter. I just want to unwind with my girl.” He looked at Rory. “Why don’t you come with me? Same low-key atmosphere. Hang out for a while. Not a date.”
Rory brightened at the thought. “I’ll text. She’s not much on surprises. I’m heading out to watch the team do a prowler push. Wanna go with me?” He grasped his phone with trepidation. Deep down, fear planted the unwelcome thought Vi wouldn’t want to see him. The gala had been too much to ask. And her relationship with him didn’t extend past the house remodel.
When Jesse nodded, Rory said, “You go on ahead. I’ll text and catch up.” Better to find out sooner than later. He pulled out his phone and thumbed a message.
Okay if I drop by after practice?
His throat went dry, but he pressed SEND.
He trailed Jesse to the bleachers. The gym echoed loudly as teammates yelled encouragement, and weights thudded on the wooden floor. Tavo’s leadership had upped the productivity level. A half smile crossed Rory’s lips. Not a minute had passed when his phone chirped.
Yes. Dinner included if you help me take down the Christmas tree.
A pleasant warmth invaded him over her simple, uncomplicated invitation. He tried to swallow past the brick in his throat. He’d fallen deep in a hole over this woman. If their relationship didn’t work out, lost wouldn’t begin to describe his state of mind, emotional health, … or any other status he possessed.
He and Jesse stood on the sidelines, watching in silence as the team took turns pushing the heavy iron machines designed to build strength and test limits. Tavo joined them, arms crossed, eyes not missing a beat. Finally, he blew a blast on the whistle.
Rory strolled over to him. “Excellent practice. You got this.” They exchanged more powerlifting talk until Tavo’s drawn countenance caught Rory’s attention. The guy had exhaustion written all over him. Rory wound down the conversation and said, “FYI—the squatters are back at Vi’s. I saw campfire smoke last night.”
A faint horizontal line creased Tavo’s forehead. “I’ll get a patrol out there again. We need to figure out a way to make the place unfriendly.” He eyed Rory. “Signed up for your massage yet?”
Rory looked away. The transparency of a massage unnerved him.
She was transparent with you.
Tavo gave an exasperated sniff, then lumbered after the other powerlifters.
Pure agony. Brenna tortured Vi’s hair into a deceptively casual French braid as Paige looked on. They’d pored through online videos, searching for a style that would satisfy Vi’s need for simplicity and Paige’s insistence on elegance. Vi’s teeth clamped on her lower lip as yet another pin jabbed her tender scalp. She owed Brenna for watching countless videos to make it happen. A fussy salon would have only increased Vi’s stress level.
Vi couldn’t believe she’d agreed to attend the gala. After she and Rory had taken down the Christmas tree the other night, he’d snuggled next to her on the sofa and asked again. His slate eyes had looked so hopeful, she couldn’t bear to say no. He’d stayed close the rest of the evening, as if afraid she’d change her mind. She’d thoroughly enjoyed the attention.
“Don’t bite your lip, mija.” Paige smiled. “A sore, mushy lip won’t do at all.”
