Page 43 of M.M. Scrooge
“Hey, Daniel.” I keep my voice friendly. “Great job.”
His eyes light up, his lips forming a little o. It’s adorable. He looks extremely kissable like that. “Erm, hey, Max. Thanks.”
I play it cool. “Andrea, Daisy told me about the shift you need to have covered. I can take it for you.”
She blinks. “That would be great.”
“No problem, I’ll just wipe the request off the whiteboard. Where are you headed?”
“Taking my wife skiing up in Vermont.” Her smile makes me smile. “How about you? Staying home this year?”
I shrug. I guess it’s too late to plan a trip to visit Mom, but maybe I could surprise her for Easter. “Yeah, just me and my roommate’s dog, actually. But that’s okay. Some quiet will do me good.” Isn’t that the truth? I’m practically dying for it after the whirlwind night I’ve had. At least I can’t hurt anyone on Christmas if I’m alone. Except for Timmy. Maybe I’ll pick up some bacon for him on my way home. All dogs love bacon, right?
“Thanks for covering. I owe you one.”
I grin. “This one’s on the house.” My gaze returns to Daniel, who’s observing this exchange with a thoughtful expression. “Have a great workout.”
I force myself to back out of the door rather than watch him exercise, even though the view is spectacular.
My plan, at this point, only extends so far. Am I going to orchestrate another meeting in the bathroom? Absolutely. But after that, I don’t know. My only goal is not to be an asshole, which should be easy, but I’m not exactly confident in my ability. I have a lot of experience at being a jerk and very little at being a nice guy.
Back in the lobby, Daisy is sorting the workout cards we use for our boot camp classes on the weekends. Time to practice putting my lessons to use.
“Want some help with that?” I don’t usually bother with the menial tasks that won’t earn a commission, but new, not-selfish Max wants to pitch in.
“Um, sure?” Her curious stare says a lot. She thinks I’m an ass because I’ve never shown her any differently. Time for that to end.
I grab a stool, slide it next to hers, and take a seat, making sure the door to the men’s locker room stays in my view. Wouldn’t want to miss my rendezvous with Daniel. “I’ll take half.”
She gives me half the stack she’s working on, and I get to sorting. We chat about her plans for Christmas, which include caroling with her high school French teacher, a trip to her grandparents’, and apparently more studying than any sane person should be responsible for.
Daisy’s going to be a great lawyer someday. She’s clever, efficient, and an obvious overachiever. She’d be good at anything she set her mind to. And she’s far more interesting than I ever gave her credit for. I probably should have asked about her life sooner.
Daniel heads for the bathroom before I finish my half, but that’s my cue. “I’ll finish these when I get back. Just gonna—” I gesture toward the locker room.
Daisy winks. “Go get him, tiger.”
My cheeks heat. How does she know? Of course. she was here the night we met, and she knew what we’d gotten up to. Whoops.
“I’m not. We’re not…” What exactly should I say to get Daniel off the hook? I don’t want to lie, but he’d been shy about our first encounter when he thought someone might hear us, and I’d assured him we were alone. At the time, I didn’t care one way or another, but now? Well, I have to respect his boundaries if I want a shot with him.
“Oh, my bad,” she says. “I mean, my lips are sealed, Max. Don’t worry.”
That’s a relief. “Thanks, I appreciate that. I just, well, I really like him. I don’t want to mess this up.”
A grin lights her face. “Just be yourself.”
That’s what I’m afraid of.
I head to the bathroom anyway. Not to get laid but to be nice. Maybe ask him out properly. I can do this.
When I walk in, Daniel is washing his hands, but he turns his head as I close the door behind me. He looks like a guy who just put all his effort into a workout. Face flushed pink, skin glistening with sweat. He takes quick, deep breaths like his heart rate is still elevated. This is how he’d looked after sex too, fucked out and beautiful.
“Hey.” His voice is tentative. He nods my way, keeping things casual, but on the inside, I think he’s as nervous as me.
I smile, though my stomach is fluttering with jitters. Last time this went horribly wrong. I don’t want to offend him again. “Hi, Daniel. Good workout?”
“Yeah, thanks. You?” He blinks. “Oh, I mean, never mind. You didn’t work out. Erm, good shift?”
