Chapter 7
Audrey
Tyler, dressed in regular clothes, is a sight to be seen, but Tyler in workout clothes is what feral dreams are made of.
He was wearing loose gym shorts with a T-shirt that had the sleeves cut off, leaving the sides gaping open and revealing his muscular chest. At one point, while he was working out and I was creeping, he lifted the bottom of his shirt to dab some sweat from his forehead.
I almost fell off the stair-stepping machine when I saw how low-slung his shorts were, exposing the band of what looked like dark boxer briefs; his back muscles tensed with each movement.
Then he turned around.
His abs were chiseled, and the V that disappeared into his shorts perfectly accentuated the definition. I didn’t even realize I’d stopped my upward motion until I felt myself slipping off the back of the machine. I scrambled back up before drawing too much attention to myself.
When I saw that perfection of a male specimen, I glanced down at myself.
A little curvier than socially acceptable, with a tummy that sticks out more than I’d like, and thighs that touch a little too much.
I always told myself I should lose weight, but med school took more of my focus than accomplishing that particular goal.
I was surprised at the sadness that passed through me when I thought about whether Tyler would prefer someone skinnier or prettier.
Or younger, because I’m convinced that I’m quite a few years older than he is.
I had to remind myself it didn’t matter. He’s merely a means to an end.
I fight a smile.
But he doesn’t seem to care about my weight, because he approached me. And he asked for my number.
I squeeze my eyes shut against the jolt of elation at that thought.
I can’t let myself forget what I’m doing here.
I look around the gym. There’s no point in staying here now.
Tyler left, and he was the only reason I was working out.
This was the first time I’d been able to follow him for the past few days because things at the hospital have been so crazy.
As I hurry to the locker room to gather my belongings, my phone vibrates. I unlock my screen to see a text from a number not saved in my phone.
Unknown: I feel we shouldn’t snub the universe’s efforts by taking too long to go out…
My stomach gives an annoying flutter. I don’t text him back until I’m in my car. Starting the engine, I stare at my phone, saving his number in my contacts and checking my work schedule for the rest of the week. I type out and delete multiple messages before finally sending one.
Me: I agree. I’m free tomorrow night and Thursday. I’m also free this weekend.
I’m barely out of my parking spot when my phone vibrates again. I can’t resist reading the message when I stop before turning out of the lot.
Tyler: Tomorrow it is. I’ll text you the details by tomorrow morning. Lunch at the latest.
I drop my phone in the cup holder and bite my lip as I turn onto the street.
My plan may be tenuous at best, but I can’t help but enjoy this unforeseen perk.
“I can’t go to dinner tonight,” I tell Jennifer as she checks out my new books.
She glares at me. “Why the heck not? You don’t have to be at the hospital tonight, do you?”
“No, I don’t.” I don’t expand. I know I won’t get away without more information, but I’m trying to delay it as long as I can to avoid the inevitable third-degree interrogation I’m about to receive from my best friend.
Jennifer throws her hands up and, in a hushed but exasperated voice, she asks, “Then what the hell is the issue?”
I avert my eyes and straighten the stack of books in front of me. “Um, well, I kind of have a date.” After a few moments of silence, I cut my eyes up to find her staring at me, mouth agape. “Stop staring at me like that.”
She shakes her head and snaps her mouth shut. “Wait, what? Did you just say you have a date, or do I need to get my hearing checked?”
I roll my eyes. “I did say I have a date.”
“Wow,” she whispers. “This is huge, Audrey. Who is this man?”
She isn’t wrong. This is huge. I haven’t dated in a very long time. Much longer than I like to acknowledge, even to myself. Dejection has my heart in a tightened vise because this isn’t real. Tyler will want nothing to do with me when he finds out I’m using him to commit a crime.
As if this conversation and my thoughts summon him, my phone vibrates where it’s sitting on the counter. Both of our gazes zero in on my screen.
“Tyler…interesting,” she mumbles.
I unlock my screen and open the texts.
Tyler: Would you prefer me to pick you up, or would you feel safer meeting me there?
My heart skips a beat at his thoughtfulness. Not all men would recognize that a woman wouldn’t always feel comfortable being picked up by someone they don’t know. I already knew Tyler’s someone I can trust, but this solidifies it. I try not to question why I text him back what I do.
Me: You can pick me up.
I quickly type out my address before I can change my mind.
Tyler: I’ll pick you up at six, if that works for you. Really looking forward to tonight, Audrey.
I blow out a breath through pursed lips before answering honestly.
Me: I am, too. See you tonight.
Dropping my phone into my purse, I look up at Jennifer. She’s eyeing me, inquisition heavy in her expressive features.
She crosses her arms and narrows her eyes. “Where did you meet him? What’s his sign?”
Jennifer’s obsessed with astrology, and while I believe in it, I don’t let it drive every decision like she does. I roll my eyes again. “I don’t know his sign. And I met him at the gym. Well, first the coffee shop.” I don’t admit that I may have orchestrated these meetings.
She scrunches her nose. “The gym? Since when do you go to the gym?”
I scoff. “Um, rude. I’m thirty-six. I’m not getting any younger. Time I start taking a little better care of myself.”
She shrugs. “I’m all for you taking care of yourself. I’ve just never heard you say anything about going to the gym. You hate sweating unless you’re in a hot yoga class.”
“I just thought I would mix it up. And good thing I did, because I met someone there.”
“But also at the coffee shop?”
I nod. “Yep, he recognized me at the gym from the coffee shop and asked for my number.” I’m grateful I can at least be honest with my best friend about that, since that’s what happened, more or less.
“Well, I can’t wait to hear all about this date. I hope he’s a good guy,” she says skeptically before giving me a sympathetic smile, and I know what she’s going to bring up next. “Is your mom’s appointment today?”
Emotion tingles my face, and I give a quick nod. “Yeah, they’re talking about starting an alternative treatment plan soon. It’ll buy some time while we figure out if we can get her the other one.”
Jennifer reaches over and grips my forearm before her eyes shift over my shoulder, acknowledging the person who walked up behind me. “Be right with you.” She looks back at me. “She’ll be okay, Audrey. I just know it.”
I force a smile. It feels as stiff and brittle as I’m sure it looks.
“Thanks, Jennifer. I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.”
She gives my arm one last squeeze. “You better call me tomorrow with all the details, or so help me god, I’ll hunt you down.”
I chuckle as I pick up the books I checked out. “I promise. I’ll tell you everything.”
With a satisfied smirk from Jennifer, I walk out of the library, my mind running through what I need to get done before my date tonight.
I got this. It’s just a date.
And a mission.