Page 38 of Show Me

“You’re a recruiter now?”

“I’m informing you of an opening. There’s a difference.”

A beat passes before she says, “I’m fine where I am.”

“Alright.” It’s not. I straighten, pushing away from the counter. “You should throw those out.”

“They’re flowers.”

“They’re from someone who doesn’t respect boundaries.” My jaw tightens. “And likes hiding in the shadows.”

“Half this town doesn’t respect boundaries.” Her voice is light, as if she’s trying to make a joke out of the situation. It’s not working.

There’s a faint tension at the corners of her mouth as her fingertips tap once against the counter like she’s resisting the urge to fidget. She’s unsettled. And I don’t like it.

Not because someone is pursuing her. Because they’re doing it wrong. Secret admirers might be a good draw for a movie, but docudramas of crazy stalkers are just as popular.

“Text me if he shows up again.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.

She stands as if sitting is more than she can tolerate. “Why would I do that?”

“So I know.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “So you know what?”

Or maybe it’s me that she can’t tolerate. Me being in her business. Telling her what to do.

“That he didn’t take the hint.”

Her gaze holds mine a second longer than usual. Something unreadable flickers there. “I can handle it.”

“I know.” I don’t doubt she can, but I can handle it too.

The bell jingles as someone new walks in. Ruby’s attention shifts, professional smile snapping into place.

“Hi, welcome in,” she says, like nothing is wrong, like the flowers aren’t sitting inches from her elbow. Like the card tucked between the stems doesn’t exist.

I step back. This isn’t my business. She isn’t mine to protect. The flowers are probably from the gym guy. The chocolates were probably from the gym guy. And she’s capable of shutting him down.

I stride for the door—the bell jingles. Outside, the air is colder than it should be.

Shit. I didn’t touch a single weight. I shove my hands into my jacket pockets and stride for the truck.

Payroll isn’t going to finish itself. And thinking about Ruby Bennett is not on today’s schedule.

Chapter Nineteen

Ruby

By the time my shift ends, my shoulders feel like they’ve been holding up the building.

The afternoon rush thins as the steady rhythm of check-ins and towel requests fades into the low hum of treadmills and distant music. I log out of the computer and stack the waivers into neat, pointless piles.

“Heading out?” Greg’s voice comes from behind me.

I turn to find him leaning against the counter, arms crossed, coffee long gone but the cup still in his hand like a prop. “Yeah.” I stand, stretching to ease the tension. “See you tomorrow.”

His gaze lingers, not inappropriate, not exactly. Just more focused than usual.