Page 55 of Too Much In Common
“That reminds me. Abbie Harmon left me a message. She said she couldn’t reach you. She and her mom have decided to teach you a personal advanced class. They just need to know when to schedule.”
“How did I rate a personal class with them?”
“Once Melanie realized you were a pilot, she thought that learning some moves for cramped quarters might be helpful. She has taken a particular interest in you.”
“Is that weird?”
“From what ZoElle says, no. Melanie excels in planning and loves a challenge.”
“I’ve had a couple of blocked numbers calls. And some Chicago area numbers I didn’t recognize. Could one of those be hers?”
Chris took the exit for Two Garden Tower. “I’ll text you Melanie’s number.”
“What else do you have planned for today?”
“Laundry and a workout. Every single piece of equipment at last night’s hotel was damaged.”
“I was planning a swim this afternoon. Do you want to join me?”
“Mmm. If I join you, I can’t watch you from the treadmill.”
Did you like what you saw?Instead of asking the first question that popped into his mind, Chris searched for something else to say. “You could always water walk.”
Like the notes of a music box, Tian’s laughter filled the car. “Then you’ll know I’m watching you.”
“I’d know, anyway.” He waited for the gate to rise for the underground garage.
“Fine. I’ll meet you in the pool in one hour.”
16
She must be crazy.After her night in Denver and the conversation with Marta and Megan, Tian had intended to end their relationship with Chris before they grew closer. No sense causing them both more pain. Instead, she was counting laps in the pool in the lane next to Chris. He kept with her slow pace as well as a synchronized swimmer.
At the end of the lap, Tian held on to the edge of the pool, unable to touch in the six-foot end. “Go at your own pace. It isn’t like we can talk or anything.”
Chris dove under the divider. He came up mere inches from her and shook his head like a dog, spritzing her with water. Tian used her arm to splash him back. He dove again, lifting her by the waist and tossing her down the lane. Fight or flight? Tian chose flight and took off. Chris caught up with her a few strokes later, grabbing her ankle and pulling her back. Tian made the mistake of opening her mouth and instead of saying his name, she sucked in water.
“Aggg.” She twisted around to splash him. He grasped her wrist and pulled her to him.
They’d moved enough towards the middle of the pool that he was standing. Tian strained her toes to touch. She steadied herself with a hand on his shoulder.
“It seems to me there is quite a bit we can do if I keep pace with you.”
“Like what? Splash me?”
He wrapped an arm around her waist, fitting her against him, and lunged back, bringing them further into the pool.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m catching a mermaid.”
“You’re the better swimmer in this scenario. Are you sure you aren’t a merman?”
“Hmm, I’ll drag you down to my lair and keep you as my queen.”
She brought her other hand to his shoulder, aware of every place they touched. He was all muscle and warmth. With his wet hair slicked back, he looked like a model for any number of fantasy paintings of a merman. “And what would you do then?”
His face moved closer to hers. “Forget about all the craziness of the land lovers and live happily under the sea.”
