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“What? No. Iris moved to the area about two years ago, and she started coming to the gym not long afterward.”
Hart asked, “So, you’ve been admiring her from afar all this time, watching her while she works out?”
“No. I’m not some creep.” I shot him a look of disgust. “Way back, not long after she first came there, she asked me if I’d give her a spot. Obviously, I did. And ever since,we’ve worked out together, offering spots and encouragement.”
My friend nodded slowly. I could see the wheels turning in his head. “So, how is this any different than what I had with Reagan?”
He couldn’t be serious. “Uh, you and Reagan were sleeping together for an entire year.”
“And you and Iris have been working out together.” I snapped my lips together. “Having been there myself, I know what can happen with that kind of time around someone. Feelings get involved.”
They certainly did. “Fair enough.”
“So, what’s her deal?”
“What do you mean?”
Hart leaned forward, his forearms resting on the edge of my desk. “I think we can all handle it. But it’d be nice to know what we’re heading for. What is the deal with Iris? What’s the crisis that’s coming down the pipeline?”
I shook my head. “Nothing.”
His brows shot up. “Nothing? Do you hear yourself?”
My eyes darted back and forth. “I’m not sure what you’re looking for me to say. There’s no crisis on the horizon.”
He studied me for a moment. “Is there a crazy ex-boyfriend?”
“Not that I’m aware of. She hasn’t dated since she moved here.”
“Okay. So, why did she move? Maybe she was moving away from someone.”
Shaking my head again, I explained, “She moved here for work.”
“What does she do for a living?”
Hart was digging, trying to figure out some nonexistent threat. I decided to humor him. “She’s the marketing director at a company called Mono Mark Solutions, but she’s being promoted to Vice President of Marketing at the start of the new year.”
“Ambitious. Nice. Well, there’s got to be something I’m missing, something you’re overlooking. Because not one of us got out of this unscathed. Not that I’d ever wish that kind of heartache on anyone, but it has sort of become a rite of passage around here. You should be prepared.”
I laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“I’m not joking, Landen.” His expression turned serious. “Be diligent with her. Because I didn’t suspect anything with Reagan, and what happened with her turned out to be my worst nightmare. You don’t want to be in that position.”
I didn’t.
God, I didn’t want that.
I’d witnessed first-hand what that did to him. Reagan had been randomly targeted, so Hart had no clue that there was anything to be worried about. I wouldn’t have wished what he went through, what they both went through, on my worst enemy.
“I’ll be cautious.”
He smiled. “Good. And once you two get to a place that you’re ready for it, let’s get the girls together.”
“Reagan and Iris?”
Standing, he shrugged. “You said she just moved here two years ago. Is she looking for friends? Reagan wouldn’t mind another one.”
I grinned. “Iris can make friends with anyone.”
