Chapter 29
CHAPTER 29
APRIL
I t’s been several days since Caleb arranged for the personal shopper and I first cooked dinner for us.
On Friday, I accompany him to the office and meet the team. With the dance studio in ruins, there’s little or nothing I can add. What is more concerning is there’s now nowhere for the kids to go, while they rebuild, but that’s not Frazer Development's problem. I just pray they don’t get caught up in the very things I worked so hard to keep them away from.
By Friday night the tightness in my chest has all but disappeared and I’m finally feeling human again. The need to exercise overwhelming.
I head to Caleb’s private gym, Chloe having delivered all my new clothes and a selection of beautiful sportswear.
I step onto the running machine and hit start, only for nothing to happen. Lights flash on the wall.
I follow the cable. Nope all plugged in. My confusion grows. I step onto the cross-trainer. The same. Nothing. I stand and stare at the equipment, perplexed.
“April?”
I hear Caleb call my name .
“Here,” I say, coming out into the corridor and stepping into view.
His eyes skim my body, taking in my gym clothes, and my nipples harden under his scrutiny. I hate the impact this man’s presence has on my body. Thank goodness for padded bra tops. Thinking I was alone, I’m in a sports bra and leggings.
“There you are.” His voice sounds slightly husky.
Maybe I’m not the only one affected.
Why does that thought set butterflies off in my stomach?
“Here I am,” I say, putting my hands on my hips. As a dancer, I know I look good in leggings.
“What were you doing?” he asks.
“I was about to do a workout, but I can’t seem to get your machines to work.”
Caleb steps around me and moves into the gym.
“Do you have your phone?” he asks, turning towards me.
I go over to the weight bench and retrieve it.
Unlocking it, I hand it over as he moves to a panel on the wall.
“What are you doing?”
Caleb looks over his shoulder before returning his attention to the flashing keypad.
“I’m synching your phone up. This is a smart gym.”
“A what?”
“A smart gym. It takes the information you give it and it provides a personalised daily workout, depending on what other exercise you have done that day. I downloaded the app onto your phone, but forgot to go through it with you.”
When his eyes drop to my wrist, I rub it self-consciously.
Caleb returns his attention to the wall, before turning and handing me back my phone.
“All set,” he says. “Everything should work now. When you want to use the equipment, come in and hold your phone up to the screen. It will then use your vitals to ascertain what you need to do?”
“My vitals?”
“I’ll get you a watch,” he flashes his fitness watch at me. “It records my vitals. It already knows what I want, to keep me at optimal fitness. It then works out a routine for me.”
I stare at him open-mouthed. This is equipment you only see in the most expensive and exclusive gyms, and he has it installed in his home. As if sensing my amazement he smiles.
“Pete,” he says aloud. “April would like a workout routine.”
“Okay, Caleb. Looking at April’s profile.” A voice appears through the speakers. “April as a dancer, I will prepare a routine that includes, cardio, as well as muscle toning and strength development.”
I stare at the speaker as my phone lights up with the exercises it wants me to do.
“Er, who is Pete?”
“He’s what I called the computer-generated voice. It seemed better to name him,” Caleb says looking a little sheepish, making me chuckle. “You can go onto the app and tweak your details. Add in anything you want. If the equipment isn’t in the gym, Pete will order it and have it delivered.”
I stare at Caleb. “That is not necessary. I’m sure I can make do with whatever you have here,” I say.
Caleb shakes his head. “You’re my guest. If you want to get the most out of Pete, then you need to have the right equipment.”
“But. I won’t be here that long,” I tell him.
He looks up sharply, his eyes clashing with mine. “Are you moving out?”
I feel my cheeks warm. “Um, I will be as soon as I can find somewhere I can afford. ”
Caleb’s shoulders relax. “No rush. As you can see there is plenty of room here. It will be a while before the dance studio is rebuilt.”
“This is very technically advanced for a home gym,” I say.
Caleb smiles. “Maybe, but then I work long hours. When I’m in the gym, I want that time to be as effective as possible.”
I think back to our night in New York and Caleb’s body. My mouth goes dry. Pete clearly works.
“Okay, thank you,” I say awkwardly, still unsure why Caleb is being so generous. The only thing I know is I can’t stay here until the dance studio is rebuilt. That part of my life is over. I can’t afford to refurbish and reopen it. That ship has sailed. But while I am here, I might as well make the most of what Caleb is willing to share. In the meantime, I will need to look for an alternative job and other accommodation.
The next day, Caleb presents me with my own Penelope Dawson fitness watch.
As a dancer, this has been a pipe dream of mine. An intelligent watch that monitors its wearer and ensures they stay at peak fitness. I thought I recognised Pete’s app, but I’ve only ever seen it in adverts for posh gyms.
“I can’t accept this,” I tell Cal when he hands me the watch.
He looks at me a furrow forming between his eyes.
“Why not?”
“Because… this watch is worth about two and a half thousand pounds!” I squeak.
Caleb lets out a deep sigh. “Please just take it,” he says.
My stomach clenches as if I’m being completely ungrateful .
When I look up, Cal is pinching the bridge of his nose as if trying to ward off a headache.
I clench my hand to stop myself reaching out to him, unsure why he is so bothered. Instead, I watch as he shakes his head. When he catches me looking at him, he smiles.
“What?” I ask, suddenly feeling defensive.
“It’s you,” he says, his grin widening. “You’re refreshing.”
When I shoot him a questioning look, he laughs.
My hands go to my hips, and I raise an eyebrow. “I don’t understand.”
“No, I don’t suppose you do. You’re different.”
He makes it sound like a compliment, but I’m not sure. I can understand him buying a gift like this for a girlfriend, but I’m a nobody. Someone who has ended up down on her luck, living in his spare room.
Caleb runs his hand through his hair before adding, “I have bought the watch. Please, will you accept it as a gift?”
We stand and stare at one another, neither sure what to do.
My throat constricts, and I step forward, holding out my hand, suddenly feeling ungrateful.
Caleb smiles, our fingers brush as I take the box.
“Thank you. I will treasure it,” I say quietly.
“You’re welcome,” he says before adding quickly, “It not only works in the gym but also works on a number of the appliances in the house. It controls the temperature, can set the coffee machine going?—”
I spin to fully face him. “It what? Did I just hear correctly?” I say slowly, my mouth slack. “This watch can make me coffee?”
Caleb looks at me, his high cheekbones darkening. “Er yes,” he says awkwardly.
“So, I can order a salted caramel latte?” I ask, trying not to laugh at his expression .
“Not right now, but if that is what you drink. I’ll ask Paula to get some salted caramel syrup for you.”
I stare at him, my mouth open. “Normal latte is fine,” I tell him, shaking my head. “Tell me, what else can my magic watch do?”
Caleb grins and tells me all the appliances and integrated devices that are linked to Pete, his smart tech system. By the time he’s finished my brain is in a spin. What happened to just pressing a button?
“Boys and their toys,” I mutter, which Caleb seems to find incredibly funny.