Page 7 of Mr. Red

“I have a hot date. At least I hope he’s hot. Someone from a new app,Let’s Play. I’m trying to play tonight!” He wiggles his eyebrows, oblivious to my hard gaze on Matthew Reding departing...finally.

“Lucky him. The girls and I are going to our favorite spot; if it doesn’t work out, meet up with us!”

“Girl, don’t jinx me! Hopefully I won’t be seeing your hot asses tonight!” He gives me a playful slap on the behind.

“Okay, okay. Have fun. Be safe!” I tell him and start walking to the door.

“Wait, Scarlett!” he yells, making me turn back around. “Guess what?” he asks in an excited tone.

“What?”

“I just booked you with a new client!”

I freeze. My shoulders stiffen. My heart beats in my ears. “Don’t tell me it was a man named Matthew Reding.”

“He requested you specifically.” Jason taps his pen on the desk with a grin the devil would love.

I have no grounds to say I don’t want to work with him.I can refuse after we’ve worked together twice, or he says something so inappropriate it would end his contract. Somehow, I think he’s smarter than that.

Fuck me.

“When is his first appointment?” I rasp, my throat is so dry you’d think I just went hiking in the desert.

“Tomorrow at ten-thirty in the morning. It’s a little bit earlier than normal because of the extra time for the intake forms and measurements. He agreed to book with you every day you’re here for a month! It’s been a while since you had a new client. Plus, it’s a new client who looks like a perfect, chiseled statue.”

Jason does a little bit of everything at the gym: front desk, scheduling, and sometimes he stands in for a trainer. Other days he helps in sales. He’s amazing. Right now he’stooamazing. I’m fighting the urge to be mad at him for doing his job.

“Did you tell him my name?”

“Of course.”

My stomach drops.

“Thought it was funny he requested you, but didn’t know who you were. Besides, I need to tell the client who they’re going to be working with.” He gives me a side hug. “This is good news. It’s the part where you say, ‘Jason, you’re the best!’”

“Right.” I fake a laugh. Not quite sure why I didn’t want Mr. Red to know my name, but it felt like I had some leverage. “Thanks for getting me booked. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Yes, see you tomorrow! I’m hoping we’ll both havea lotof fun tonight!” His eyebrows dance as he waves goodnight.

My shoulders deflate as I walk out to my car. I’ll have todissect this new information with the girls tonight. We’ll have to try to figure out a way to get me out of this over drinks. Lots of drinks.

Chapter 6

Scarlett

We’re at our favorite club close to Seattle. The three of us are drinking margaritas on the rocks at a table by the bar. Exposed brick surrounds us while metal lighting and steel beams loom over our heads. We’re here early, so it’s empty, but soon the vibe will be replaced with a packed dance floor and loud music with a pulsing beat.

“Wait,herequested to train with you?” Paige asks. I’m filling in the girls on the day’s events in detail, seeking hope for the weeks ahead with Mr. Red.

“Yeah. What kind of person would do that? I didn’t even shake his hand,” I explain as I adjust my backless halter. “Isn’t it weird how many times we ran into each other today? Do you think he knew about the yoga class? I didn’t tell him my name or anything. That’s crazy, right?”

“Just attraction,” Lana states in a flat tone. “And the possibility of you running into him again was bound to happen. It’s a small town.” She stares down at her drink and takes a sip.

I continue complaining. “You guys, how am I going to get out of this? I don’t want to work with him for a month.”

“He said what happened was out of character, right? Maybe he’s not always such a douchebag.” Paige shrugs with an optimistic smile.

“Yeah, you probably just caught him on a bad day,”Lana pipes in.