Page 38 of Mochas and Minotaurs

I watched as she made her way out of my gym, my eyes on her swaying hips and wishing the logo would paint itself. I’d much rather be spending time with her.

“Aww,” Declan said when we were alone again. “Look at you, all moon-eyed for the little witch! You’re smitten!”

“I am not.” I picked up the bucket of paint and shook it vigorously.

“Oh, come on, look at her! Of course you are. You’d be crazy not to want a piece of that.”

I growled at the thought of my friend thinking of Griselda like that.

“Ha! See! I’m not even allowed to compliment her without you growling at me.”

I sighed and pried open the bucket of red paint. “Alright, so maybe I am. But you and I both know nothing good can come of this. Not with my problem.”

“Okay. So the future isn’t certain, but when is it ever?” Declan picked up a brush and dipped it into the paint, brushing the extra off on the edge of the paint bucket before starting on the left side of the bullseye. “That doesn’t mean you don’t deserve happiness. Hell! If we all waited until our future was set in stone before doing things we love, life would suck all around. And trust me, of all the people I know, you deserve happiness the most. Look at this place. Bullseye Fitness is a community. You saw how many guys showed up the other day for the photo shoot.”

“Yeah, because you promised the winner a free membership.” I joined him, starting on the right side.

“Pshh. You fucking kidding me? Half those guys are loaded. They don’t need a free membership. They did it for Bullseye Fitness. They did it foryou.Remember back at the old place right before the move when we were talking in the office about what we were going to do about Arcane Developments if they came knocking? Some of the guys overheard us. They know what you’re dealing with; I didn’t have to spell it out.”

“I didn’t know about that.”

“Because you were busy getting all the legal shit together and signing all the important paperwork. You were stressed, and they didn’t want to bother you, so they came to me. You know the guys are proud of you, right? They look up to you. Bullseye Fitness is their home away from home. It’s their gym. And you made it happen. They’re willing to stick their necks out for you.”

“But the big question is, who’s willing to fling a wasp nest through a windshield? ”

Declan chuckled. “Anything for my brother from another mo—”

He must’ve seen my reaction to the mention of my mother and changed course. “My point being, you’re not alone. You’ve got friends. And not just me. I know you can’t tell anyone else about the dragon, but Gigi knows now, and it looks like she’s willing to help. Don’t fuck it up. Don’t throw it away because you’re scared.”

“I ain’t scared.”

But Declan’s words had me thinking. Maybe it was time to open up and let someone in. Hell, I didn’t think I could stop it even if I tried.

Chapter 19

Griselda

I was staring atmy phone, trying to decide if I should call Marcus or not when it rang. His number showed up on the screen. I counted to ten so it didn’t seem like I was literally by my phone waiting for him to call.

This teenager-with-a-major-crush feeling wasn’t going away even now that I’d spent several days stuck by his side.

“Hello?” I whispered to avoid triggering Triscuit. I didn’t need him to be saying hello on repeat for the next fifteen minutes.

“Hey.”

Just that one word in Marcus’s low rumbly voice was enough to do funny things to my insides.

“I was just meal prepping for the next week,” he said, “and I’m making some extra for you.”

He was cooking? For me? Meal prepping. That was totally a gym-bro thing, wasn’t it?

I was too shocked to respond, so he continued. “I know it’s supposed to be all about the macros. But I don’t make my food super healthy and bland. I tried, but I can’t eat it. My version of meal prepping is palatable, I promise.”

I finally found my voice. “I’m sure it will be great. I haven’t had time to get groceries, so thank you.”

That was a lie. I had time. Like right now, I could be at the supermarket this very moment doing my weekly shopping, but I was so tired. I decided I’d rather vegetate on my couch instead. It wasn’t the time, it was the energy I was lacking. Especially after the last few days.

“Let me be completely honest with you. I was resigned to being happy with peanut butter and crackers again tonight. I’m not exactly a domestic diva.”

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