Page 31 of Reckless Desire

I stare at her. “You never told me that.”

“I was just glad you were out of that post-Jeremy funk, but I hope you didn’t break up with him because seeing Hunter today made you a bit irrational.” Lo pulls the menu from the holder at the edge of the table. She’s so casual, as if we’re discussing new shoes. Unconcerned.

I technically broke up with Dan after seeing Hunter, but I know I would have done it regardless after he blind-sided me twice with major news. “I may admit to being irrational, but all the shit with Dan happened before Hunter waltzed back into my life.”

The moment I say the words, as though to accentuate what a surreal day I’ve been having, the man himself waltzes in again.

ChapterEleven

Hunter

“No way. That’s just your luck.” Ash puts his feet up on the desk. “You find your girl a fancy school after those little fuckers did a number on her, and now you’ll face the woman who broke your heart every day.”

“She didn’t break my heart.” The memory of her and our night messed with me for a moment—or a few months—but that was it.

“You were insufferable for a year, dude.” Ash clicks the pen he is holding.

Hammering and drilling echoes in the large room behind us. We’re in a half-furnished office of our new location. I’m leaning against the wall because we only have one chair here so far.

This Tribeca gym is our second location within a year. I spend most of my time in our primary space on the Upper East Side. Since I was forced to accept the generous inheritance, our former lives have been a distant memory in the rearview mirror.

Ash is now my employee, but he’s been more of a partner and soon he’ll be managing this location. Between full-time parenting and building our empire, I haven’t had the chance for much else.

But I did occasionally wonder what would have happened if Sydney called. But she didn’t, so there wasn’t much to ponder.

“It wasn’t a year, and besides, she made it quite clear she wasn’t interested and that’s good. I don’t have time for women, anyway.”

“That’s something we should correct because you’ll turn into a brooding bachelor. Also, with you officially off the market, I would enjoy all the attention of our clients.”

“Stop it right now. We agreed you’ll keep your hands off the clients. We can’t afford a lawsuit. Things are going too well. AndI amoff the market. I’m happily committed to Caroline and my work.”

“Talking about work—”

I push off the wall and move to the window. I’ve been full of restless energy since the school drop-off. “Why do I feel you’re about to head in a direction I won’t like?”

“Delaney talked to me.” Ash swivels in the chair. “Again.”

“She won’t give up, will she?”

Delaney Rielski, a producer, has been on my case to get me work with celebrity clients in a new reality show.

“Would you at least meet with her? That kind of publicity might help us expand further. Move to LA, San Fran, Chicago, Florida.”

“We’ll expand there without a reality show.”

Watching the commotion on the street from this place is therapeutic. The two-story space—a construction site for now—already has positive vibes. It took me some time to come to terms with the inheritance, but it makes me happy to offer these sanctuaries to our clients.

“Could you at least talk to her and hear her proposal?”

I put my forehead on the glass. “Okay, but next month. With the construction and Caro in a new school, I don’t have the mental capacity for much more.”

He jumps up and pumps a fist in the air, as if I agreed to do the show, but I guess I’ve been dodging Delaney for long enough that even vague commitment sparks his enthusiasm.

“Let’s go for drinks.” He grabs his keys and phone.

“I’m not staying long. We overslept today. I can’t risk that again tomorrow.”

“Isn’t your mom staying over? She’ll drag you out of bed, hopefully mortified by the sight of your companion.” Ash winks.

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