Page 28 of The Fixer

Where am I moving, by the way? You live in a studio, and there’s only one bed. I’m delighted to share it, of course, but you’re shy.

Shy???

I snicker at his outrage. I would give anything to see Leo’s face right now.

Terribly shy. So where am I moving?

A place with more than one bed. Fair warning: it’s a bit of a mess, and there’s not much furniture yet.

You’re being cryptic, orsacchiotto mio. Tell me more.

And ruin the surprise? You’ll see for yourself tomorrow evening, principessa. I’ll pick you up after work. What time do you get off?

I have MMA class. I’ll be done at eight.

Ah, yes. So you can kick my ass. I’ll pick you up at eight.

The movers showup exactly on time. There are three of them, all women, who introduce themselves as Marta, Paulina, and Gina. “We’ll take good care of your stuff,” Marta says. She’s a few years older than me and beautiful, with glossy black hair, high cheekbones, and a cupid bow of a mouth. “Leo said you’re a fashion designer, and you have the most beautiful clothes. Don’t worry. We’ll be careful with them.”

Leo thinks I have beautiful clothes? I float through the day in a happy haze. My mother calls me at lunch to tell me they’ll arrive in Venice Friday morning, and even that can’t get me down.

Ali texts me as I’m leaving.

Are you coming to class tonight?

Yes. Why?

One word. Simon.

Simon is the co-owner of the gym I train at. He’s one of those guys who believes he’s God’s gift to women. Comes on too strong, doesn’t know how totake no for an answer, and is mean and condescending to Ali. He keeps asking me out and ignores me when I turn him down. I hate him.

Is he teaching the class? Because if he is, I’m out.

No, I’m teaching it. But he’s teaching the six o’clock class, so he’ll be at the gym.

Ugh. Thanks for the heads-up.

I show up a little later than usual, hoping to avoid him, but unfortunately for me, Simon’s hanging out in the foyer when I arrive. “Rosa,” he leers, his gaze locking on my cleavage. “Long time, no see.”

Yup, that’s deliberate. “Simon, hey.”

“How’ve you been?”

“Good. I need to get changed. I’m late for class.” I start to move past him into the changing rooms, but he plants himself in my way. “What’s your hurry?” His eyes travel my body, and he puts his hands on my shoulders. “You look tense. Your muscles are so tight.” He leers at me suggestively. “I can loosen them for you.”

No, thank you.

My engagement ring is in my purse. I didn’t want Ali to see it before class. If she did, she’d have a thousand questions for me, and I didn’t feel like dealing with it. I really regret that decision now. Then again, Simon only sees and hears what he wants anyway. “I’m good,” I say, pulling away from him. “Let me go.”

He doesn’t want to. His hands tighten instinctively, but then he realizes that the front of the gym is all window, and we’re in full view of the street. He releases me with an ugly smile. “You’re playing hard to get, Rosa, but that’s okay. I like to chase.”

My patience runs out. Simon’s been pulling this bullshit for six months, and I’m done. I prefer to avoid confrontation, but he hasn’t left me a choice. “I’m not playing hard to get,” I say, as clear as I can make it. “I’m not interested in you. There’s somebody else.”

“You’re seeing someone?” He looks skeptical.

I repress my urge to scream. I shouldn’t have to mention a boyfriend for Simon to leave me alone, but here we are. “Yes. Now, please get out of my way so I can get to my class.”

Ali isin the changing room. She takes one look at my face and sighs. “You ran into Simon in the foyer?”

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