Page 28 of Show Me

“I enjoy having an escape route.”

Jake raises his bottle in salute. “Smart.”

The conversation moves from work schedules to Dominic’s latest job-site mishap involving a client who wanted a tattoo with a misspelled word and finally lands on Emily’s EMT horror stories. Those are both terrifying and hilarious.

But every time Bella leans against Dominic, or Jake’s hand finds Emily’s under the table, something inside me twists. It’s not jealousy or resentment. Not exactly.

I love my friends, and I couldn’t be happier for them that they’ve found their person, but I can’t ignore the fact that I’m alone. It’s like watching everyone else pair off at the end of a dance while you remain standing against the wall.

Bella nudges my foot. “Okay. What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“Ruby.”

There’s no point pretending with them. “Brent was at the gym again today.” I decide to go with a different topic—a safer topic than one that includes me and… No one.

Emily’s expression hardens. “The sleeveless creep?”

“That’s the one.”

“He bothering you? “Jake’s eyes narrow as he shifts into police mode. I wouldn’t want to be the criminal that tried to get one over on him.

“He follows. I deflect. He shows up again. It’s his cardio.”

Dominic raises his beer to his mouth. “Persistent.”

“Annoying,” Emily corrects.

Bella leans forward. “Did Greg say anything?”

“Yeah.” I trace the condensation on my glass. “He stepped in. After I showed Brent how to use a machine.”

Bella blinks as Dominic drops his beer to the table and lays his arm across her shoulders. “Why were you showing him how to use the machine?”

“Trainers were gone to lunch.” I lift a shoulder. “I tried to get him to wait, but he said he didn’t have time.” My frown deepens as my boss’s scolding flashes through my mind. “Greg has told me before to walk someone through basics if I have to.”

Emily frowns. “So what’s the issue?”

I let out a slow breath. “Greg came out of the office like I’d set the place on fire.”

Jake’s brows pull together. “He was mad at you?”

“Only me.” I take a sip of the now lukewarm water and wish I hadn’t driven.

“What did he say?” Bella leans against Dominic’s side.

“That I’m not a trainer,” I reply. “That I left the desk. That I wasn’t doing my job.”

Emily leans forward. “Was someone waiting?”

“No.” My voice is flat even though my irritation is not aimed at them. “The desk was empty. There was nothing to do.” A beat passes. “And the day before, he handed me a file and told me I did it wrong. I hadn’t.”

Or at least, I don’t think I did. Had he told me to change the file to alphabetical? It’s possible I’d zoned out when he was talking. It’s not like he’s the most interesting guy in the world.

Jake leans back, studying me. “That doesn’t sound like it’s about the file or showing someone how to use the machines.”

“That’s what I thought.” Clearly, my boss isn’t happy with how I’m doing my job.