Page 36 of Filthy Rich Brother's Best Friends

I hear someone snort when he says, “You call that a plank, Jenny? I’ve seen toddlers with better form.”

Jenny laughs. “Don’t test me, Morgan. I’ll challenge you to a tuck hold.”

They’re all eating it up. I want to throw him out and lock the door and scream until my throat goes raw.

But I can’t.

Because he’s making them laugh. And if I’m going to try and salvage this business, I need good reviews and repeat customers.

After class, I wipe down the reformers as quickly as possible. My shoulders ache, my tank is soaked, and my patience is hanging on by a single thread. Clients file out in a good mood—which is the only win I have.

One of them thankshimon the way out.Him.Like he works here now.

Reid strolls over with that smug little smile on his stupid hot face.

“You’re welcome, by the way.”

I don’t even look at him. “For what?”

He grins, leaning against the wall beside me. “Uptick in morale. Pretty sure I just saved your Yelp score.”

I stop scrubbing and turn to face him. “You don’t work here.”

“Not yet.”

My jaw tightens. “Reid.”

“What?” He spreads his arms, completely unbothered. “They loved it. And you could use the help.”

I hate that he’s probably right. I really hate that part of my mind is already doing the math, considering the bump in attendance he’d bring if he posted a single Story in this room. But I’m not in the mood to let him win today.

“Don’t act like you did this out of the kindness of your heart,” I snap. “You were bored. You wanted attention. Mission accomplished.”

His expression changes, just a little. “And if I wanted to help?”

I scoff. “You don’t help, Reid. You interfere. There’s a difference.”

The space between us shrinks. He doesn’t move much, just a single step forward, but I feel it everywhere. He’s not touching me, but he’s close enough that I can see the little scar above his eyebrow and the flecks of green in his eyes. His gaze drops to my mouth.

Then my eyes drop to his lips and that arrogant little smirk of his deepens, and I know he knows where I’m looking.

He presses just a little closer. Am I breathing? I don’t think so.

Then my phone rings.

I jump. My feet actually leave the floor, and my heart is pounding like I just ran a marathon.

He steps back. I turn away. The moment slips through the cracks and disappears before either of us can think about what we were about to do.

I thank all the heavens when he decides to leave a few minutes later. I don’t have time to deal with whatever this is.

By the time I’m finally done for the afternoon, my body feels twenty pounds heavier than it did this morning. I’ve wiped down every surface, refilled the towel bins, and organized the front desk—anything to keep busy and my thoughts quiet.

I sit down at the end of the day to check my last few messages and my stomach twists. There’s an email from my landlord.

Updated Lease Terms – Effective July 1st.

I click it.