Page 1 of Christmas with my Three Best Friends

1

Shay

"Good morning, Ms. Taylor," Alice, our receptionist, drones from her post behind the massive black desk. Her gaze remains fixed on her screen, her indifference as clear as the morning sun.

Alice's approach to work could best be described as a mix of habitual tardiness and a vibrant 'I'd rather be anywhere but here' vibe. I've often considered letting her go, but there's this stubborn hope in me that she'll ignite some hidden spark of enthusiasm. As a woman in business, I'm committed to uplifting other women, nurturing their potential. Yet, there's a line – a fine one, admittedly – between supporting growth and enabling unprofessionalism. And Alice, bless her, is doing a high-wire act on that very line.

“Good morning, Alice. How’s the day?” I ask, injecting a bit of cheer into my voice.

“Pretty busy,” she replies, monotonously.

As I move past the reception, I glance through the gym. Two years of operation, and each day has been a step in an incredible journey. Competing against the behemoths of Seattle's fitness industry, we've banked on our community-focused ethos to lure clients from the impersonal giants. Richard's investment in top-tier equipment has been a cornerstone of our strategy to provide a holistic fitness experience.

Observing the bustling activity, a sense of pride swells within me. The gym, bustling more than usual, mirrors a broader theme of growth in my life.

Rewind two years, and you'd find a different me - the jovial, 'chubby' girl, smart yet often sidelined, pretty but not quite special. I was grappling with an internal void, filling it with food and frustration over things beyond my grasp. But it's been a journey of intense self-discovery and transformation. Now, every mirror reflects a version of me that's almost unrecognizable – a confident, self-assured woman where a shadow of doubt once stood.

It’s been a while, and it’s only gotten better. The minute I learned to use my time as a single woman in order to love myself the way I wish to be loved everything changed. Everything. My perception of myself. The way in which I presented everything I am to the world.

My confidence exuded, and heads started turning. Doors began to open.

And now, I walk into my own business with a soft smile and a kick in my step, coffee in one hand and purse over my shoulder. Jeans that hug my generous hips and muscular buttocks, a white shirt that’s just enough see-through to give a hint of the white lace bra underneath, and gold bangle bracelets jingling around my wrists while my low heels click across the marble.

“I like the look of this place,” I mutter and turn to see my business partners coming out of Richard’s office. “Hey, guys!” I cheer up, shining inwardly whenever we meet. “What a good day, huh? Plenty of customers, and the holidays are around the corner! What more can a girl ask for?”

There are four of us behind West Key Gym. Richard Adami, my mentor and our chief financial officer, the man with the cash. Jax Tucker, my kickboxing coach and our head martial arts trainer. And Marius Zlatan, my personal trainer and one of the best fitness practitioners I’ve ever had the fortune to work with. I’m the fourth, the ugly duckling turned swan who is now coaching other men and women to follow a journey similar to mine, focusing on smart nutrition and self-love. Frankly, the four of us becoming friends at the previous gym we used to attend was pretty much the perfect storm for a partnership like ours to come to fruition.

We’re best friends and allies, comrades in arms and, downright unbeatable.

We’re not invincible, however, and our gym project is still young, still growing, still in need of improvement here and there. It’s a difficult journey, but I love every second of it. I’m determined to see us get farther ahead, to prove to the world that fitness isn’t just a way of life, it’s a whole bloody ethos that stands at the very core of great health and longevity. Yet something doesn’t sit right with me at this particular moment.

“Guys?” I ask, noticing Marius, Jax, and Richard simply staring at me. Mute. Speechless. Wide eyed. It’s not like them. They’re usually jolly and with an endless supply of quips.

It’s a little weird. Alice isn’t aware of the dynamic, she’s too busy scrolling through her social media. Luckily, a couple of clients come in, prompting her to set the phone aside so she can scan their cards and give them the appropriate locker keys.

Marius’s dark brown eyes are huge, sparkling and smoldering at the same time, and I’m pretty sure he’s blushing. I can’t always tell, given his olive complexion. The black curls hanging over his forehead cast shadows that further confuse me, but I know something happened. Something is different. Jax, too. His blue eyes twinkle, the corner of his mouth twitching, tempted to smile as he runs a hand through his short blonde hair. Richard, on the other hand, my red-haired, green-eyed Viking, is broadly grinning as he takes a first step in my direction.

“Good morning, Shay,” he says. “How’s your weekend looking? We should meet up.”

“You never wanna go out on a weekend,” I mutter. “There is definitely something wrong here. Guys, come on, what is it?”

The silence that settles between us is thick and heavy. It’s making my heart beat faster, and not in a good way. Granted, these gorgeous partners of mine make my heart beat faster on a daily basis, so I should’ve gotten used to it by now. But something is definitely happening, and I cannot for the life of me figure out what it is. The hairs on the back of my neck prick stiffly as I give Jax another look. He’s like a tiger waiting to pounce on me. Marius looks away, but only for a second. His gaze is drawn to me, and it’s making my skin tingle.

I’ve always had a thing for them. A dirty little fantasy in the back of my head involving each and all three of them. What’s not to want, honestly? Built like soldiers, broad-shouldered and muscular, hyper-athletic and with plenty of charm and stamina… I’d be blind and a moron if I didn’t get a little hot under the collar near them. We’ve always kept things strictly business, though. They’ve been by my side for a while, my fiercest supporters and closest friends aside from Cassandra. It’s unlike them to act so… out of character.

“No, but seriously, I’m going to ask again, what’s wrong?” I manage, getting genuinely worried. “Did I say something? Did I do something wrong?”

“I’m not sure if wrong is the right word,” Jax mutters, crossing his arms.

“Okay, now I’m getting pissed,” I shoot back. “What’s up? Spill.”

Richard chuckles softly while Marius lowers his gaze again. “I think you should start today at your own pace, then. Go into your office, enjoy your morning coffee… check your emails,” Richard says, and it draws a dry laugh from Jax.

Crap, even Marius is smiling. They keep exchanging glances and holding back from me. It only amplifies my swelling anxiety—not to mention the hidden layer of arousal that’s permanently bubbling underneath, but I’m clearly not going to get an answer from them.

“Fine,” I sigh and pass the reception desk. “Alice, be a darling and forward any new customer calls to me,” I tell her. “It’s my turn today.”

“Sure thing, Ms. Taylor.”

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