5. Not My Kind of Cardio #3
“Oh, yes, sorry, this is my best friend Emma. Emma, this is Spencer and his friend.”
Carson kept his eyes locked on Emma and slowly moved over to her and shook her hand as well, making it last slightly longer than what would normally be appropriate. There was a slight furrow to both his and her brows that I couldn’t decipher. He looked over at me, nodding toward the treadmills.
“Gonna hop on and get started, man.”
“Yeah, no problem, I’ll be just a second.” I turned back and looked at Allie, thinking of how I could prolong this conversation to get more time with her.
Allie smiled again, hiking her thumb over her shoulder before continuing, “I should probably let you get to your workout. Sorry to keep you, I’ll see you around.” She started to walk around me and leave, but I couldn’t let her go yet.
Shit. Well, it’s now or never.
“Wait, Allie, look, I’m sorry to be that guy at the gym who does this, but would you maybe wanna get dinner sometime?
” I must have overstepped because she stared at me for a solid thirty seconds…
forty seconds.. “I’m sorry that crossed a line I shouldn’t—” Her friend coughed and pushed her toward me before turning to leave us.
“Yes, no, I’m sorry. My brain was freezing up like an old ’94 computer.
I’d love to go to dinner with you, I think.
I mean, I—yes, I know I would. I don’t know if we should.
Fuck, I am struggling right now.” Her hazel eyes were wide, and the words ran together in a giant run-on sentence.
And there went that damn blush again. She took a deep breath before continuing.
“I’d like that a lot, but I’m not sure since we do work at the same place and whatnot.
My job is very important to me, and I can’t jeopardize that.
” Shrugging her shoulders and twisting her fingers together, she met my eyes, and I could see the indecision in them.
Fuck. I didn’t want to not see her again, but I can’t let her feel like she’s putting her career on the line either. I’d take any time together she’d allow.
“What if we were two friends going on a simple dinner date to enjoy the evening together? It can stay between us, and then we can look over the rules later. Whatever you want.” I held my breath as I waited for her to think it over.
“Okay, okay, yeah, I think that would be nice. I’d love to get dinner.” She looked up at me from under her lashes and smiled. I think I’d do anything to see her smile all the time at me or to make her blush.
“Okay, it’s a date. How about tonight at seven? Unless that’s too soon?” I didn’t think I could wait another day to see her again if I was being honest with myself. I was hoping she felt the same.
“That sounds really nice. I don’t have anything going on tonight, so it’s perfect.
Here, let me see your phone, and I’ll put my number in for you.
” I fished my phone out of my gym shorts and handed it to her.
She put her number in and sent a text to herself.
“Here ya go. And it’s not a date, remember? ”
“Awesome, would you like me to pick you up, or would you be more comfortable meeting me? And right, right, just friends, not a date.” I didn’t want her to feel forced into anything and wanted her to be comfortable. She chewed on her bottom lip, contemplating what to do.
“You can pick me up. I’ll text you my address later.” She popped her bottom lip and then smiled at me.
“Sounds good. I’ll see you tonight, beautiful.
” I winked at her, causing her to turn a bright shade of pink, and she turned and went to catch up to her friend.
I may or may not have also watched her walk away, because damn those spandex shorts.
I turned and headed over to Carson, feeling like I was on top of the world.
“Guess who has a date tonight?” I said as I hopped on the treadmill to start my walk.
“Hell yeah, dude, that’s awesome. Where you gonna take her?”
“Well, technically, it isn’t a real date.
We’re just two friends who are going to get dinner.
She was worried about work and breaking rules, and I didn’t want her to feel pressured.
As far as the where, I’m not sure. What do you think?
Maybe I should text her and ask if she has any preferences or anything? ”
“That would probably be a good idea. Wouldn’t wanna take her to a steak house if she’s vegetarian or anything. You still wanna do some cardio?”
“You’re right, I’ll text her after I leave her. And yes, I do. I have so much extra energy right now, I need to burn.”
We did some short sprints of running and walking, and once we were done, we grabbed our stuff from the locker room and headed out. I told Carson I’d text him once I got home and then hopped in the car. I plugged my phone in and pulled up my text message thread to text Allie.
Spencer: I hate to text like a needy person already but I had a question.
Spencer: Any preferences for dinner tonight? Allergies or anything?
Allie: Nope! You’re all good to pick wherever :)
Me: Sounds good I’ll see you tonight then gorgeous