Page 50 of No One Else

I nod, knowing she’s right. But a part of me still worries. I’d gotten things so wrong with Carter. I don’t want to mess this up too.

No, I remind myself. What happened with Carter wasn’t my fault. That was on him. And Evan is a genuine person. I know that. I can’t let myself doom any other relationship I have just because my first one didn’t work out.

Besides, I like Evan.Reallylike him. But making the transition from friends to something more still leaves me with some anxiety. What will everyone think? Obviously, Samantha is on board, but what about all the people we work with?

We part ways at the door to the studio because she has to get to her next class, and I automatically seek out Evan, scanning the floor of the gym. There, over by the weight benches. By some magnetic force, his eyes find mine, a grin spreading across his face.

He walks over to me, greeting me with a light kiss. “You looked good in Darlene’s class.” He brushes my ponytail off my shoulder, running his hand down my arm, leaving tingles in his wake. I bite my lip to contain a shiver.

“I’m a sweaty mess,” I tell him, knowing my cheeks are still flushed, the baby hairs along my hairline sticking to my scalp.

“You look beautiful.” The way he looks at me, so earnestly, honestly, I can’t help but believe him.

He kisses me again, his lips tender and sweet, filled with reverence. The backs of his fingers caress my jaw, causing a flurry of butterflies to erupt in my stomach.

A second later, applause ensues around us. I pull away to find several of our coworkers clapping, grins from ear to ear as they watch the two of us.

Alex shouts, “It’s about time,” creating a ripple of laughter among the gym goers.

If my cheeks weren’t still red from Zumba, they would be now.

“How about we give them what they want?” Evan whispers.

I nod breathlessly, too entranced by the wicked smile on his lips to fully comprehend what he’s saying. He wraps his arms around me, dipping me down low in an Old Hollywood style kiss, much to the delight of everyone, hooting and hollering their approval.

My hands frantically clutch at his shoulders, afraid of being dropped for a split second before I remember how strong he is, how securely he has me. His lips move over mine masterfully, making me tune everything else out, only focused on him and the way he turns my whole body alive with just a kiss.

He brings me up again, his eyes heavy-lidded and sensual as he gently sets me away. I’m panting, wanting to continue, but quickly put that thought aside as people come up to congratulate us.

“Are you dating?” Gina excitedly asks, abandoning the front desk to come over. She’s the biggest gossip here, of course she needs to be in the center of things.

I glance at Evan, unsure how to respond. We’ve been on one date, but does that qualify as dating? If I was introducing him to someone new, would I still call him my friend? My boyfriend? The guy I really want to grab right now and kiss again?

“All right, all right,” calls an authoritative voice, breaking up the crowd of people that’s formed around us. It’s Trisha, her expression caught between a smile and a frown. “You two are off the clock, right?”

We nod in unison. Oh God, I didn’t even think about that.

“As your manager, I have to say you can’t be pulling stunts like that here, especially if you’re working. Keep it professional. But as your friend...” She pulls us both into a hug, catching me off guard. “I hoped you would find your way to each other.” Wow, I had no idea she was such a softie.

“Okay, back to work, everyone,” she calls out. “And Gina, there’s someone waiting at the desk.”

Gina waits till Trisha’s back is turned to scowl at her and then returns to her station.

Evan runs his fingers through my ponytail in an absent-minded gesture, smiling down at me. “Is it too soon to see you again tonight?”

What’s that rule about waiting three days after a date to call someone? I’m so glad he doesn’t subscribe to that either. “I’d say that sounds just soon enough.”

“How about I pick you up later and make you dinner at my place? We can work on our project afterward too.”

“But we’re pretty much done with that.”

He steps in closer, an impish smile on his face. “I’m sure we can find some other use for the time then,” he murmurs.

A rush of longing goes through me at his insinuation, so strong I physically sway toward him before catching myself.

We make plans for him to come by my dorm at six tonight, and I head over to the women’s showers in the employee locker room, ready to finally get this sweat off me.

Two of the group fitness instructors that teach yoga and pilates are talking on one of the benches but stop as soon as they see me. They’re both in their mid-twenties and part of the full-time staff here, so we’re not close, but I’m friendly enough with both of them.

---