Page 37 of A Christmas Mystery

“Yeah. Greg usually finishes up around seven, so we don’t want to miss him.”

I split a treat between Claude and Ed to make up for our abrupt departure, and then we head for Theo’s car.

He takes my arm to help me down the steps, and the small gesture makes me shiver.

It’s silly. I’m perfectly capable of walking down these steps. I do it several times a day. But Theo’s unconsciously considerate gesture—like it’s second nature for him to go out of his way to help and protect me—really gets to me.

I’m still trying to shake it off on the drive to the gym.

“You okay?” he asks as he pulls into the health club parking lot.

“Of course. Why?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. If you’re uncomfortable about anything, you can tell me.”

His words are vague enough to not corner me, but I know what he’s saying. Iknowit.

I want to respond to what he’s really asking me without baring myself completely, so I take a minute to think first. “I’m...” I lick my lips. “I’m all right. Really. It’s hard. Sometimes. Getting back into... into life. After Chris.”

I stare down at my hands in my lap, wondering if I said too much after all.

“I know it is,” Theo says, a thick texture in his voice that’s not normally there. “I know.”

He’s parked the car now. We sit for a minute in silence.

I can hear him breathe. I can hear my own slightly ragged breaths.

“I’m not expect—” Theo cuts himself off like he’s rethinking his words. “There’s no rush. For anything.”

I swallow hard and smile up at him, understanding what he’s saying and why he’s saying it and appreciating it more than I can currently express. Instead, I say in a different tone, “There’s no rush for anything except getting into the gym before Greg decides to head home.”

Theo gives a huff of amusement and appears to shake himself up. “Exactly right. We should get moving.”

***

THEO IS A MEMBER OFthe country club and thus this health club, so he signs me in as a guest. From the way the staff greets him, he must come to work out here somewhat regularly.

I don’t know why that surprises me. He’s not some sort of bodybuilder or underwear model, but he’s in good shape. His frame is large, and his body is fit and efficient.

I like it. I like how he looks and how he feels when I touch him. I like that he’s strong but not flawlessly molded. I like everything about him, and I’m not sure how I went so many years without noticing how attracted I am to him.

My attraction gets more obvious when he comes out wearing gym shorts and a T-shirt. It’s obvious this man will look good to me with or without clothes.

I’ve changed into workout clothes too—not nearly as formfitting as a lot of the women here. Not because I’m particularly modest but because it’s simply not my style.

Theo is eyeing me the way I’ve been eyeing him. Covertly. Not gawking or leering.

And I’m hit with a surreal awareness. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Feeling this way. Going through this little dance.

With Theo Humphrey.

Daniela’s voice in my head, telling me not to overreact, is the only thing that keeps me from running. I’m nervous as we walk into the large room filled with workout equipment.

There are a lot of people here. It takes a while for me to sort through faces.

“There’s Greg. Running on a treadmill. He always does that at the end of his workout.”

I glance over in the direction Theo indicated. “Okay. Well, we should go try to catch him now before he finishes up.”

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