Page 11 of Two Weeks in Tahoe

It’s not Liam. A guy around my age with shaggy blonde curls is standing in front of me, a wide grin across his face.

“Can I help you?” I ask, trying to hide my disappointment.

“I was just wondering if you’re done. Mind if I work my way in?

“Oh. Sure. I was just finishing up, actually.”

He stays where he is, practically boxing me in against the mirror. I’d have to weasel my way out to the left in an awkward maneuver to get around him.

“Thanks. Saw you doing some sets. You’re pretty impressive,” he says, looking me up and down, making my skin crawl. He doesn’t even try to hide it.

“Uh … thanks, I guess. Anyway, I should be going.” I say, beginning to move past him.

“Wait,” he says, putting his hand up against the mirror, trying to make himself look bigger than he is.

Now I’m annoyed, and I’m about to go off on this guy. I give him a look that says I’m done with his bullshit and move to push his arm out of the way.

He looks taken aback as my elbow begins to push his arm away, and just as I’m about to be free, I see Liam standing behind him, towering over us. I freeze. I assume Liam saw what went down. The guy turns slightly, realizing someone is behind him.

“All done, sweetheart?” Liam says, flashing me a wide grin.

“Uh…yeah,” I stammer, playing along, completely caught off guard.

Liam holds his hand out to me, leaving my escape path wide open, and without thinking, I take it. I don’t miss the murderous look he throws back at the other guy as he leads me away.

We turn a corner and stop near the front desk. “I had that handled, you know…”

“I know. That’s why I didn’t do anything worse. I saw you handling it all on your own.”

“But you cut in anyway?” I ask, more out of curiosity than anything.

He shrugs, smirking down at me like he’s keeping a secret. “I guess.”

He doesn’t offer any further explanation.

I steal a moment to take him in in all his sweaty glory. My body has a carnal reaction to him as he stands there looking down at me with his veiny forearms crossed, sweat glistening on his temples and neck, and his cap turned backward. He’s close enough that I can smell a hint of his delicious scent. Not too overpowering.

“So, how’s the vacation going so far?” he asks casually.

“It’s good. Really nice not working off a schedule for a little while. Just doing what I want.”

“I get that,” he says, but doesn’t elaborate.

“No sign of the truck yet,” I blurt out.

“It’s okay. We’ve been looking around at a few places. I haven’t lost hope yet.”

“I’m still keeping an eye out for it too. Big J seemed so distraught over it.”

He looks touched. “Thank you.”

I nod. “Well, I should get going. Thanks for almost saving me.” He looks like he wants to say more, but I turn and head for the exit. I sneak one glance back and find him talking to the front desk staff, gesturing toward the weight room we were previously in. He doesn’t look particularly happy.

**

I spend the rest of the afternoon at the cabin reading, drinking espresso shots, and eating a bunch of sweets that basically cancel out my workout, kicking myself for leaving the conversation the way I did. At least his number is saved in my phone, so I can text him if I really want to. I hesitate though, feeling unsure of what I really want. He is hot, sure, but I just fought through what was easily the hardest year of my life, finally coming out of it feeling somewhat okay. But would something casual with him even be possible now? I’m not so sure.

My phone rings, pulling me from my thoughts. It’s Grandma. She almost never calls me, so I take it immediately.

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