Page 85 of Sleigh Bells and Snowstorms
“Why would you go through all that nonsense?”
“To get in.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Okay, but how am I getting in the gym when I don’t have a membership or a guest pass?”
“You just walk in.”
She looked at me like she had no idea what I was talking about. “You can’t just walk in.”
“Sure you can.”
“Someone at the front desk would stop me.”
“That depends on how you handle yourself. If you walk in as if you belong there, and no one could possibly question you, they won’t.”
“You want me to just walk in like I own the place?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know if I can pull that off.”
“Why not? You’ve done it already.” My mouth turned up in a smile. “Did you think I had tickets to the Snowflake Ball?”
Her lips parted. “I was wondering about that. I didn’t think about it until later, but we didn’t check in when we arrived.”
“Of course not. People see what they expect to see. If your body language tells them you belong there, they’ll believe you. And if not, just pretend you can’t hear them and keep walking.”
She took a deep breath. “I guess the worst thing they could do is ask me to leave.”
“Exactly. And I don’t think they will.”
“I should probably get dressed. If he goes today, we should be ready.”
“You getting dressed is the worst news.” I leaned over and kissed her.
“What time does he usually go?”
“Typically around ten.”
Biting her bottom lip, she climbed on, her legs straddling me. “Then we have some time.”
I groaned. “You dirty girl, you’re insatiable.”
“Maybe.”
“Good. So am I.”
True to his routine, Julian left for the gym shortly before ten. Natalie was ready, dressed in a cropped tank top and leggings. Instead of bundling up in her winter coat, she’d put on a hooded sweatshirt. I was concerned she’d be too cold, but she reassured me she was acclimated to the mountain winters and she’d only be going from the car to the building.
A buzz of anticipation pulsed through me as we drove across town. She tracked Julian’s route, noting when he arrived at the gym a few minutes ahead of us. By the time we arrived, he was already inside.
I parked on the side of the lot, away from his Range Rover, where I had a clear view through the large windows. I got out the earpieces and handed one to Natalie.
“Take a few deep breaths,” I said. “Walk in like a model on a runway. Back straight, chin lifted. It’s your gym. It belongs to you, and no one needs to raise a bloody eyebrow about it.”
She nodded and inserted her earpiece. “Can you hear me?”
