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“Are you sure? You’ve been going to town on that bag.” She gives a small smile, and I accept the hand she holds out to pull myself up.

“Lot going on in here.” I tap the side of my head and cringe at the amount of sweat I feel in my hair. A shower before I go is a must.

“Maybe class will help. We have a new instructor today and he’shot. If you’re not too tired that is.” She claps and flits over to other girls that have started to filter in, not bothering to wait for my response.

There are rotating instructors and classes they teach within the gym. I try to hit them when I can, and today’s is focused on shadow boxing.

Jogging over to the back wall, I grab a quick sip from my water bottle and text Ava back. She’d heard about the break-in this morning and immediately texted to make sure I was okay. After reassuring her she didn’t need to take off work to be with me I said she could come over for a girl’s night in. Zav didn't mind and even encouraged it.

I zip my phone back in my bag and stretch my arms over my head for some relief before class. I hadn’t planned on joining but I still have some frustration I need to vent.

Footsteps echo in the room and girls start to murmur about something that’s gotten their attention.

The steps continue until I hear them stop just behind me. A heady, masculine scent fills my nostrils and now I can’t catch my breath for a different reason.

“Boo.” A familiar tenor sounds next to my ear.

I close my eyes, taking a deep breath.

I should’ve known him letting me leave the apartment alone was too good to be true. He resisted when I first brought it up, wary of the intruder stalking me, but then it was like a light bulb went off in his head and he agreed.

Now I see why.

“Fancy seeing you here.” I face a certain red-headed fiend. The girls are tittering near the classroom door, watching us.

“Did I mention boxing is one of my secret hobbies?” Zavier quirks a brow and I narrow my eyes.

“Everything seems to be a secret hobby with you.”

“What can I say”—Zav nips at my earlobe before I can stop him— “I’m a man of many talents.”

We walk together over to the classroom, and there’s no mistaking the gossip that’s circulating.

“Does she know him?”

“Is he her boyfriend?”

“I didn’t think she dated!”

“Let’s circle up everyone!” Zav claps his hands, and it doesn’t take much for him to become the center of attention. I can’t say I blame him. He is annoyingly gorgeous.

From there we run through various exercises during all of which Zav doesn’t stray far from me. When I hold back during our sparring session, he tells me to let it all out. Poor guy gets hammered by my fists but it’s exactly the cathartic release I need. I suppose I shouldn’t feel too bad since he grins the entire time.

When class is over, Zav refuses to let me walk back to the apartment.

“There’s nothing wrong with my legs,” I protest.

His lips purse. “Get in the car, Celine.”

I don’t know what it is about his tone that has me listening. I slide the seatbelt across my body as he gets in the driver’s side. “Since you’re insisting on driving can I put in an order for Mexican food and pick it up before we go back?”

He hands me his phone and I take it, despite the fact I’m perfectly capable of using mine.

“What’s your passcode?” I ask when the phone prompts me.

“Zero, three, One, Three.”

I put in the numbers and search for the Mexican restaurant’s information. I stop before hitting the call button, my finger hovering above the screen.