“I was about to do a workout, but I can’t seem to get your machines to work.”
Caleb steps around me and moves into the gym.
“Do you have your phone?” he asks, turning towards me.
I go over to the weight bench and retrieve it.
Unlocking it, I hand it over as he moves to a panel on the wall.
“What are you doing?”
Caleb looks over his shoulder before returning his attention to the flashing keypad.
“I’m synching your phone up. This is a smart gym.”
“A what?”
“A smart gym. It takes the information you give it and it provides a personalised daily workout, depending on what other exercise you have done that day. I downloaded the app onto your phone, but forgot to go through it with you.”
When his eyes drop to my wrist, I rub it self-consciously.
Caleb returns his attention to the wall, before turning and handing me back my phone.
“All set,” he says. “Everything should work now. When you want to use the equipment, come in and hold yourphone up to the screen. It will then use your vitals to ascertain what you need to do?”
“My vitals?”
“I’ll get you a watch,” he flashes his fitness watch at me. “It records my vitals. It already knows what I want, to keep me at optimal fitness. It then works out a routine for me.”
I stare at him open-mouthed. This is equipment you only see in the most expensive and exclusive gyms, and he has it installed in his home. As if sensing my amazement he smiles.
“Pete,” he says aloud. “April would like a workout routine.”
“Okay, Caleb. Looking at April’s profile.” A voice appears through the speakers. “April as a dancer, I will prepare a routine that includes, cardio, as well as muscle toning and strength development.”
I stare at the speaker as my phone lights up with the exercises it wants me to do.
“Er, who is Pete?”
“He’s what I called the computer-generated voice. It seemed better to name him,” Caleb says looking a little sheepish, making me chuckle. “You can go onto the app and tweak your details. Add in anything you want. If the equipment isn’t in the gym, Pete will order it and have it delivered.”
I stare at Caleb. “That is not necessary. I’m sure I can make do with whatever you have here,” I say.
Caleb shakes his head. “You’re my guest. If you want to get the most out of Pete, then you need to have the right equipment.”
“But. I won’t be here that long,” I tell him.
He looks up sharply, his eyes clashing with mine. “Are you moving out?”
I feel my cheeks warm. “Um, I will be as soon as I can find somewhere I can afford.”
Caleb’s shoulders relax. “No rush. As you can see there is plenty of room here. It will be a while before the dance studio is rebuilt.”
“This is very technically advanced for a home gym,” I say.
Caleb smiles. “Maybe, but then I work long hours. When I’m in the gym, I want that time to be as effective as possible.”
I think back to our night in New York and Caleb’s body. My mouth goes dry.Pete clearly works.