35. Zoe
THIRTY-FIVE
zoe
“Alright, what are you planning to do here?”
Natalie looked around the gym. “I have no idea to be honest. Never thought I’d join a gym.”
Natalie was more the outdoorsy type. Runner. Hiker. I was actually surprised she wanted to meet me here.
“Why are you joining anyway?”
“Cooper thought it would be a good idea, since the rowing program is shut down for the season.”
Natalie, a college rower, had started a community rowing program a few years ago. But I had no idea what that had to do with the gym.
“Is he a member?”
“No, mostly just runs with me. But with his new clients taking so much of his time, he’s had less and less of a chance to get out there. I was complaining about not having a running partner, and he suggested the gym, knowing you’re here. And I think Mazzie was going to join too.”
I kept the bit about Cooper being controlling to myself. I was in no position to give advice on men. Yesterday, even though Nate and I had texted back and forth, there was nothing particularly insightful or spicy about his messages. Mostly they were about our day, him hiking with his sister, no specifics on coming home.
For my part? I was being like water. Going with the flow. Even if I felt more like a raging river inside than a calm, steady stream.
“Either way, I’m glad you’re here. As you can see, all of the weights are down here, the machines on that side, and the cardio up there on the loft. There are classes, too, over there, but I don’t take them so can’t offer much there.”
“I’d love to do some weights, maybe balance out the arms a bit.”
Natalie had a slamming back and arms courtesy of years of rowing.
“Okay, so maybe we can try to coordinate leg days. I usually do that twice a week, typically around this time.”
“I can do that.”
“Perfect. So, let’s start upstairs for a quick warm-up.”
I showed Natalie the locker room where we put our things and then hit the elliptical for a ten-minute warm-up.
“I haven’t had a workout buddy since Erik,” I said. “At the beginning, anyway. Which only lasted, like, for a month.”
“Speak of the devil. Isn’t that him?”
Sure enough, the loft gave a clear view of most of the gym downstairs. Erik had just come in and was swiping his card as we spoke.
“Fantastic,” I muttered.
“You know you’re going to run into him. Kitchi Falls isn’t much of a metropolis.”
“True,” I agreed. “But it seems like he’s everywhere lately. I think I’ve seen him more in the last few weeks than in those last two months of dating.”
“Lucky you.” Natalie bumped up the speed on her machine. “Speaking of dating, what’s the scoop with Nate?”
“Good question. He’s still home figuring things out. No word on when he’s coming back since he canceled that bank appointment.”
“That’s tough. I can’t imagine being in his position. It’s gotta be one hell of an adjustment.”
“I’m sure. It’s just so hard knowing he’s just a few hours from here when we would have died to be together at one point but couldn’t because he was half a world away.”
“I’ll give it to you. I’m not sure I’d have the patience. You’re handling it really well.”
I nearly laughed myself off the elliptical. “If you could see my stomach in knots, you’d see how well I’m really dealing with it. But you’re right. It’s a huge adjustment for him, so I’ve just chosen to trust it will all work out.”
Natalie side-eyed me. “I have to admit, that sounds more like me than you.”
“Maybe you and Charlee are rubbing off on me. She talked me off the ledge on Wednesday. We missed you at trivia night.”
“Cooper and I were going to go out, but he was tired, so we actually just stayed in and got Chinese food. How’d you do?”
“What do you think?”
She laughed just as the one person I did not want to see jumped on the elliptical next to her. Thank goodness the one by me was taken.
“Hi, Natalie. Zoe.”
“Hi, Erik,” she said, more polite than me.
“Didn’t know you were a member here?” he asked her.
“Just joined.”
As the two of them made small talk, I was happy to pretend Erik didn’t exist. And sure as the devil, my phone lit up on the dashboard of the elliptical. I grabbed it.
What’s shakin’ in Kitchi Falls this afternoon?
That sounded very much like the old Nate.
At the gym with Natalie.
I didn’t mention my stupid ex. No reason to do that.
Oh yeah?
Yeah. How about you?
As a matter of fact. . .
“Let me guess. Nate?” Natalie asked next to me.
Erik was totally listening.
“Yep. Just give me a sec, and we’ll head down to hit some legs.”
“Works for me.”
I waited. And waited. Even looked downstairs to see if Nate was here or something. Which was silly, of course. But no sign of him.
I’m heading back to town tomorrow.
This town?
LOL. Yes, Kitchi Falls.
My heart raced.
You are?
I am.
For good? Or was it a temporary thing? Where was he staying? So many questions.
Don’t force it. Go with the flow.
That’s great news!
I was hoping you’d think so.
I was about to text him back when another one came through.
And I have a surprise for you.
A surprise? That was interesting.
I love surprises.
I know. Have a lot to do today, but will catch up before bed.”
He was coming back. And had a surprise. My chest felt as if it would explode with happiness. Maybe Charlee was right after all. Trust. Such a small little word, but not always the easiest thing in the world to do.
Sounds good. Later, gator.
Later, Zoe girl.
A kiss emoji followed. That was new. Didn’t want to read into it any more than I should, but it was hard not to let my mind wander.
When I looked up, both Natalie and Erik were watching me.
For his part, Erik didn’t look thrilled. Maybe because I was on cloud nine, and he didn’t put me there? Didn’t matter.
He was my past. Nate, was my future. He was coming back tomorrow. I usually wasn’t one of those people who looked forward to Friday. I liked my job. And never wanted to live for the weekends. But this particular Friday? I was looking forward to very, very much.