Tight Buns - Kate Hunt Page 0,3

guy be your first impression of my gym.”

“Your gym?” the other girl asks. “The way that guy was talking to us, it seemed like he was the owner.”

I laugh. “He wishes. But no. Steve is just a regular with more muscles than brains. I’m Gavin.”

“Nice to meet you, Gavin,” my girl says, a smile softening her expression. “I’m Emily. This is Jessa. And sure, we’ll take you up on that smoothie offer—as long as you don’t get too offended that we aren’t coming back after this week.”

Emily.

Pretty name. It fits her perfectly.

But I don’t like the sound of her only being here for a week.

“Not too easy to offend me,” I say. “But I’m certainly open to suggestions if there’s something I can do to make the gym more appealing to you.”

Emily smiles and shakes her head. “It’s nothing against your gym. We’re just here for some extra workouts before our ballet season starts back up. We’re dancers.”

“Ah.” I smile again, trying to cover up the pang of disappointment I feel over finding out their time here is limited. “Well, I’m going to go get those smoothies for you two. Any flavor preferences?”

“Anything’s fine,” says Emily.

“Yeah, surprise us,” says Jessa.

I wouldn’t have guessed either of them to be ballet dancers, but then again…what the hell do I know about ballet? It’s not like I’ve ever been to a performance.

But just like Emily’s name, dancing somehow suits her. She moves like a dancer—graceful and deliberate.

And if she really can’t come back to the gym after this week is over?

Well, damn.

Guess that means I need to check out the ballet.

Chapter Three

Emily

One Week Later

The last few weeks before a new ballet season always seem to fly by, but this time the days really feel like they’re playing in fast forward.

I wish time would slow down.

Especially because I like getting to see Gavin every day at the gym.

I know, I know. It’s not like I can let anything happen. Still. I like the short, friendly exchanges we’ve gotten into the habit of. It’s all smalltalk, sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s not nice. He’s become part of my new—albeit temporary—routine, and honestly, he’s kind of the best part of it.

“You’re doing it again,” Jessa says, practically singing the words as we walk into the gym. It’s our last day coming in, and I’ve been feeling secretly down about it since I woke up.

“Doing what?” I say, pretending like I wasn’t just looking around for Gavin.

“You’re smiling.” She grins and nudges me.

“I’m not allowed to smile?”

“I know that smile, Em. You have such a crush on him.”

“What?” I scoff. “I don’t have a crush on anyone. I’m just excited for a good workout.”

She snorts. “Okay, now I know you’re lying. It’s okay to admit that you like him, you know. Besides, it’s obvious he’s into you. You should just go for it. I mean, come on. He’s gorgeous.”

I know her heart is in the right place—and she’s absolutely right that Gavin is gorgeous—but I’m not so sure that he’s into me like that. Sure, he’s sweet and funny and always makes a point to stop and talk to us while we’re here, but…isn’t that sort of his job? Of course he wants us to come back as much as possible, right? He’s the owner. He’s probably sweet and funny and charming with everybody who walks through the door.

On the other hand, I guess I haven’t seen him flirt with any other women. Not even Jessa, who usually has to fend off guys left and right whenever we’re out together.

“Let’s just focus on our workout and not worry so much about my love life, huh?” I say as we head into the locker room.

“Okay, okay.” Jessa holds her hands up in a mock surrender, though she’s still giving me that same knowing smile. “I’m just saying, if the opportunity presents itself…” She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively. “You have to go for it.”

Thankfully, she drops the subject as we change into our workout clothes and put our gym bags away. I’m hopeful that we can spend the rest of our time today talking about how great this upcoming ballet season is going to be and how nice it will be to see the other members of our dance company when rehearsals officially start again.

I’m so busy thinking about those things as we walk back out of the locker room that I don’t even notice Gavin until Jessa nudges me. I look up and spot him across the