Page 10 of Seizing Mack
Chapter Five
~ Nick ~
“So, what are your fitnessgoals?” Carl asked as they pushed through a set of double insulated glass doors. “Strength? Endurance? MMA?”
Carl’s question brought Nick’s mind back to the present. The blonde’s bold actions had dredged up some unpleasant memories of another woman, one he didn’t care to remember. He shook them off, reminding himself that not all beautiful, bold women were crazies like Eve Sanderson. Regardless, he still held a strong personal dislike for the type and made a mental note to keep his distance.
“Strength and cardio, mostly, but MMA sounds interesting.”
“It’s not for everyone.” Carl gave Nick an assessing once-over as they moved. “Ever try it?”
“I know some basics, mostly self-defense and disarming techniques.”
“That’s a good start. We can build on that. I teach a couple of classes. When we’re done with the tour, I’ll grab a schedule for you. We encourage people to try new things, step outside their comfort zone. Membership gives you a free pass to everythingSeizehas to offer, no added fees, no hidden agenda. That includes use of all facilities, equipment, and classes, as well as one-on-one coaching.”
“Sounds great.”
“We believe that keeping things fresh and fun is the key to long lasting fitness.”
Carl took him through the facility, which looked new and well-maintained. The workout areas were clean and spacious with a staggering assortment of state-of-the-art equipment to choose from.
“You sure have a lot of options,” Nick commented as they moved from the group training rooms to the pool, where an aquatic spinning class was in the shallow end. On the far side, several lanes had been roped off for lap swimming.
“Fitness is a very personal thing, Detective. We’ve got something for everyone, from hardcore professionals to senior citizen groups. There is no one-size-fits-all option. Our goal is to promote health and wellbeing at any level.”
They ended the tour back where they’d started, near the main entrance. Mack wasn’t there, which Nick found disappointing. “So, what do you think?”
“I think it’s great,” Nick answered honestly.
Carl nodded, as if that was the reaction he’d expected. “We’ve got a lot of cops here. Firefighters, too. Did Mack tell you about the service discount?”
“No, we hadn’t gotten that far.”
“Ah, well, Mack’s real big on giving back to the community. Public servants get a twenty-five percent discount.”
“How does the owner feel about that?”
Carl laughed. “Mackisthe owner.”
Nick’s surprise must have shown, because Carl added, “Don’t worry, you’re not the first to make the wrong assumption.” Carl gave him a schedule and wrote his name and number across the top. “If you have any questions, give me a call.”
“I will, thanks.” Nick agreed to the two-week trial, but he’d already made up his mind.Seizewas definitely the place for him.
~ * ~
DRIVING TO THE CHIEF’Shouse on Saturday afternoon, Nick’s thoughts roamed back to the intriguing owner ofSeize. It wasn’t the first time. Images of those flashing eyes and smirking lips — the ones that suggested she knew something he didn’t — had been popping into his mind repeatedly.
What was her story, he wondered? She had an interesting one, of that he was certain. Where had she come from and what made her decide to set up shop in Covendale? Did she have family in the area? Was she involved with anyone?
More importantly, why couldn’t he stop thinking about her?
Only one other woman had managed to hijack his thoughts so quick and thoroughly. Freshman year of high school. Second period. Mr. Kartofski’s earth science lab. He remembered it as if it was yesterday. Annie Sullivan had smiled at him from across the room and he’d been lost.
He sighed. He was getting ahead of himself. He wasn’t that same awkward, hormone-riddled adolescent he’d been then; he was a fully-grown man with too much life experience under his belt to go jumping to conclusions. That flash in her eyes might have been nothing more than a trick of the light and perhaps some subconscious, wishful thinking on his part. Maybe she wasn’t even interested.
But what if she was? Now that he was moving forward again, wasn’t the possibility worth investigating?
‘Maybe’ was the best answer he could come up with. Instant chemistry or not, he’d been out of the game for a long time and it was quite possible he was totally misreading the situation. Bottom line: he needed to proceed with caution.
