Chapter Fourteen
Marcus
I walk into the gym, and as I scan my fingerprint, the receptionist tells me good morning. I work out four days a week, so the employees all know me and always greet me by name. The gym lets me get stress out, clears my head and helps me keep up with the guys at work.
I stuff my backpack in a locker, grab my water bottle and a towel, and head to the weights. I start setting up my first set when a woman approaches me.
“How long until you’re done?”
I feel my brows pinch together. She had to have seen me setting my weight, just getting started. “About seven minutes.”
She checks her watch. “Okay, I call dibs when you’re finished.”
“If anyone comes over, I’ll let them know you’re next.”
She gives me a smile. “I wasn’t talking about the machine.”
“I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
Her blonde hair is up in a high ponytail, big brown eyes find mine, and she looks a little nervous. “I’m really bad at this.”
“I can spot you if you need it after I get through my reps.”
“Oh god, you don’t even know I was hitting on you. I’m so embarrassed.” Her cheeks turn pink, but she continues. “My therapist said to get off the apps and try to approach people in the wild, but I have the worst pickup lines.”
“You were using a pickup line?”
She runs her towel down her face. “I’ll just let you work out. Sorry for bothering you.”
A woman is approaching me. This is what I need, right? This could be the answer to my problem; it just isn’t like me to entertain someone random. Last time I did was in Jamaica and that was only because I was like a third wheel on that trip and got a little too drunk. I take her in as she stands in front of me, clearly embarrassed. She seems nice enough, and she looks like a blonde version of Lauren. Same body shape, maybe a little taller. I have to get out of my comfort zone. I’ll never know if she could be the one if I don’t make a move. Or be receptive to hers.
She turns to walk away. “Wait. How long have you been a member here? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”
Her face relaxes as she turns back around to face me. “I just moved to Boston a few weeks ago. I’m usually here after work, but this place is filled with gym bros at that time. So, this is the first morning workout I’ve done.”
I reach my hand out. “I’m Marcus.”
She places her hand in mine and shakes it. “Jill.”
I rub the back of my neck. I’m just going to get this over with. “Uh, Jill, would you maybe want to go grab dinner sometime?”
A smile forms on her lips. “Yeah, I would like that.”
I pick up my phone, open a new contact, and hand it to her. “Put your number in?”
She takes the phone and types in her information. “I’m free Thursday or Saturday.”
I nod. “Okay, I’ll see if I have anything going on and text you.”
“Sounds good.”
I smile at her, trying to appear comfortable with this entire interaction. “I guess your pickup line worked.”
She lets out a small laugh. “I guess so. I’ll let you get to it. I’ll talk to you soon, Marcus.”
“You will. Have a good day, Jill.”
“You, too.”
With that, she walks to the women’s locker room.
I did it. I have a date, sort of. I thought I would feel relieved, maybe a little proud of myself for breaking out of my bubble. But I don’t feel that at all. It just feels like work.