Page 23 of Pelvic Flaws

“I’m great thanks,” I said, a little excitedly. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I only joined last week. My usual gym started to get a little too fancy for my likin’. You know the thing – lattes and kale cake served in the chill out room.”

I looked around at the working but worn equipment and the weight lifters mixing with the cardio bunnies and nodded my agreement.

“No, it wouldn’t be my thing either.”

“You just been to a class?” he asked. “Or you been working out?”

“A class,” I said, trying to ignore my friend coughing at my side. “Clubbercise.”

Dex’s eyes twinkled. “Sounds fun.”

Mandy coughed again, but a little more violently this time.

“This is Mandy,” I said a little agitated as I glared at her. “My friend. She does the class with me.”

“Hey, Mandy, nice to meet you.”

Dex flashed Mandy a smile and I was pretty sure I heard a whimper.

“Hi,” she replied, a little too breathily.

“Well, I’d best go,” Dex said, turning back to me. “I gotta get back to the studio in a couple of hours. I don’t really do much ink myself these days, but I’ve got someone who specifically requested me.”

“I bet they did,” Mandy whispered, but when Dex smirked, I knew that he’d heard her.

“Yeah,” I said. “I have stuff to do too. Great seeing you again. Oh, and I know I said it on the phone, but thanks again for getting my car fixed.”

“God, he could sort my engine out anytime.”

I slapped my friend hard this time, satisfied when I heard a little yelp from her.

“No problem, darlin’. Barry owed me a favour, so he was glad to do it. Just hope it ain’t gonna cost you too much.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. Carl’s paying.”

Dex’s smile dropped momentarily, but then his gleaming white teeth reappeared. “Well good to know it’s fixed,” he said, giving me a nod. “And tell Isaac we already got someone who wants one of his designs.”

“Already?”

“Yep. A guy came in yesterday and as soon as he saw them, changed his mind from his original idea. He’s getting it done next week, a full back, so I’ll take some pictures and text them to you.”

“That would be great,” I replied, excited for not only Isaac, but myself too.

“Well great.” Dex took a step forward and then stopped, looking as though he was going to say something. “Nice to see you again, Katie.”

“Yeah, you too.”

“Have a great afternoon, both of you.” He smiled at both Mandy and I and moved past us into the gym.

Once we were in the car park, Mandy squealed. “Oh my effing God, he is so gorgeous and he so wants you.”

“No he doesn’t,” I said dismissing her. “He’s just a gentleman. He’s like that with everyone.”

“Well he was looking at your boobs. I bet he doesn’t do that to everyone.”

“He was not looking at my boobs,” I protested, secretly hoping he was.

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