Page 66 of Doctor I Do

I doubt it.

“I think I’m not his type, because he likes casual hook-ups.”

“I think you need to talk to him.”

“Maybe…” I ponder as I watch Alex lay a soft kiss on Ethan’s head.

I worry the crack in my chest knows the real answer. Will I be able to do casual?

Chapter 23

Tahlia

Mike and Alice have gone home, leaving us alone again. When I decided to work out, it didn’t occur to me that he would join.

Now I’m in my room, overthinking about what outfit I’m going to wear. Down to the color and fabric of my panties. I must be going insane to be caught up on which active crop top will show off my curves the best. Blowing out a breath, I sift through the items one by one. Making a pros and cons list.

I’ve officially lost it.

I try to tell myself to not think about the panties, because he won’t see them anyway. Therefore, I choose my favorite baby blue activewear set and basic cotton panties.

Dressing for me, not for Alex.

That’s what I tell myself anyway.

I can’t help the way my heart thumps at how nervous I am. I’m not great at exercising to begin with, so this session will be interesting.

Entering the home gym, I look around. My shoulders drop with relief, as I’ve beaten him here. Intimidated by all the unfamiliar equipment, I move to the treadmill. I warm up and peer around at his equipment, wondering what exercises I can do.

When I catch his bright eyes in the mirror, my breath hitches, and I stumble on the treadmill. I wince. How do I stumble walking?

Why is this happening to me?

His mouth twists into a smug grin.

“Are you laughing at me?”

“No, honey, I’d never.”

The endearment washes over me like a cozy blanket. Makes me feel warm and fuzzy. I hold on to the sides of the treadmill and watch as he steps forward in his gray Nike outfit. The shirt he wears shows off his toned arms and broad shoulders, while his shorts give me a glimpse of his muscled legs. He heads straight over to the weights and curiosity gets the better of me.

“Why don’t you warm up?” I call out.

He shrugs as he picks up weights. “I don’t like cardio.”

I frown. “But why do you have all the cardio pieces here?”

“For guests.”

Like me.

I swallow the lump sitting in my throat, not understanding my body’s reaction to his statement. It’s not like I didn’t know what this was. So why does the thought unease me?

I guess when it’s said out loud, it hits me harder. I need to sweat out some of my sexual frustration.

I continue to walk slowly on the treadmill and openly watch him. He begins grunting, and I catch my shoe on the walking pad again, luckily saving myself this time. I’m curiously following his movements as he picks up a heavier pair of dumbbells and sits on a bench. Sitting up, he pushes the weights above his shoulders. With every flex of his muscles, my heart hammers inside my chest.

Looking at myself in the mirror, my cheeks are flushed, and I think it has more to do with him than from me working out, but I don’t want to faint right now, so I stop the walk. Getting off, I move to stand in front of the weight rack. Feeling like I’m being watched, I look up to find his eyes on me. He’s raising the weights to the sides of his body.

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