The Price of Inertia (The Seven Sins #4) - Lily Zante Page 0,26
than her fitness levels. I can’t even lie and say I’ve been here longer than I have because she was here before me.
“I’ve figured something out,” I tell her, “For my story. I need to write it down before I forget.”
I rush out of the gym. It’s the fastest I’ve moved all morning.
Chapter 10
MARI
That was a shock to my system, finding Ward in the gym. Even last night he startled me in the kitchen. That’s twice he’s popped up when I’ve least expected to see him. Either I’m lonely and reading the signs wrong, or he’s changed.
A little softer.
A little different.
Maybe he feels bad that he fired Trevor.
Maybe he’s making an effort to be nicer.
He seemed embarrassed to find me in the gym, he also seemed uneasy. At first I was startled when he showed up. This man is a stranger to me, and he could be a psycho for all I know, even if he’s a multi-millionaire best-selling author.
I should be afraid, based on his behavior so far, and yet I’m not. In the gym it was a sense of power I felt, not fear.
He might be the master of my destiny in that he’s my boss but in its barest, raw terms, in the gym, Ward Maddox isn’t as brutal or as terrifying as he likes to think. I’m not sure if it’s because he’s unfit, or slightly paunchy. Me showing off and doing those push ups probably didn’t help. Staring into Ward’s eyes, I felt jubilant, but when he left, as suddenly as he had arrived, a part of me felt I’d gone too far.
I’m about to head into the shower when my phone rings.
It’s Rob.
Good, because I have a million questions I still need to ask him.
“What happened with Trevor?” he asks, before I get a chance to say anything. I was wondering when he would find out. I was wondering if I should be the one to tell him.
I tell him what happened. “Thank goodness you’re still there. For a moment I was worried that he might have fired you.”
I laugh uneasily. “I need this job. I can’t afford to lose it.” I figure that being downright honest, even if I sound desperate, is the right thing to do.
“Ward can shoot off with his mouth sometimes,” Rob says. “I knew he wouldn’t find it easy having two new people upset his routine.”
I hold my breath, suddenly afraid Rob’s going to tell me that it’s best if I also leave. “Trevor shouldn’t have said those things,” I reply, somehow justifying Ward’s stance. “He wasn’t being complimentary.”
“He’s never been in such bad shape before.”
“You’ll be surprised to hear that he was in the gym just now.”
“What?”
I tell him about the gym session just now, but omit the fact that Ward didn’t do much and didn’t stay for long.
“I’ll be damned,” says Rob. “At least something’s working.”
“He seems to be heeding your advice,” I add.
“It’s a shame it’s not translating over to his written work.”
“You’d be surprised. He said he needed to write today. He said he’d figured out a few issues with the story.” I’ve suddenly become Ward Maddox’s biggest fan.
“Are you serious?” Rob asks.
“That’s what he told me.”
“He’s talking to you?” That Rob has asked this, is telling.
“We were in the gym together.”
“Together?” The guy sounds positively shocked.
“I was using the gym, I hope that’s okay?”
“Perfectly okay.”
“I need to do something. I’m feeling cooped up and there’s a lot to get used to.” Taking Jamie’s advice to hit the gym was good. My yoga session and workout has improved my mood somewhat, but I’m not sure how much of my elation is to do with feeling I’ve got some sort of power over Ward.
“Of course,” says Rob. “You go ahead and don’t feel shy.”
“Oh, I’m anything but shy,” I assure him.
Rob chuckles. “At least it worked. Getting Ward out of New Orleans and somewhere new, worked.”
“I’d say he’s doing fine.”
“How is he with you?” Rob asks, and I wonder if I’m being tested.
“He’s … ok—aaaay,” I say slowly.
“Good. That’s what I want to hear. I can’t afford for him to fire you too.”
“Me neither.”
“I wish he hadn’t fired Trevor. He needs a personal trainer. I know Ward. He has highs and lows. I’d feel better if he had someone to come and push him more.”
A silence falls because I have no idea what to say.
“I don’t have time to look for a replacement personal trainer. Do you know anyone?”