“Great. I probably stink, though. Just came from the gym.”
“I don’t smell anything.”
“Maybe I should get a little closer,” he said with a wicked grin.
Cindy laughed and held up a hand. “I’ll take your word for it. If I wanted to go to the gym sometime, would you show me what to do there? I’m terrible at that stuff.”
“I’d be happy to train you. Any time you want.”
“I’m off on Sundays and Mondays.”
“Either of those days work for me. Just let me know.”
“I tend to talk more about the gym than actually go, so we’ll see if it ever happens. You want a sandwich?”
“Sure, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind.”
“I’m just going to grab a quick shower. Be right back.”
“I’ll be here. My next appointment is at one thirty.”
They had an hour to spend together. Jace intended to make the most of that.
The unexpected lunchon the patio with Jace was the highlight of Cindy’s day. He smelled so good after his shower that all she wanted to do was breathe him in.
“How about I trade you a haircut for training at the gym?” he asked.
“Sure, we can do that. When do you want to do it?”
“Whenever you have time.”
“I’m off tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow works. Thank you for the sandwich. Not sure what you did to bread, turkey and cheese, but it was the best turkey sandwich I’ve ever had. If cutting hair doesn’t work out for you, you’ve got a career in the sandwich industry.”
“Whatever you say, charmer.”
“Hey, Cindy?”
“Yes, Jace?”
“I heard what you said last night about your dad and all that, and I want you to know… I’m going to do my absolute damnedest to never hurt you. And if I do? I want you to tell me, okay?”
“I, uh… Yeah, I’ll tell you.”
“I hope it’s okay to put that out there.”
“It’s okay.” And refreshing, she thought, but didn’t say. Over the years, she’d gotten so tired of men and the games they played that she’d begun to avoid dating and everything that went along with it. It’d been years since she’d had anything resembling a boyfriend. The girls in the Dallas shop had always tried to fix her up until she’d said no so many times, they’d finally given up on her. That’d been a relief. “I’d better get back to work.”
“Will you be in to see me later?”
“I’ll see how I feel when I get home.”
“Hope to see you, but only if you feel up to it.”
“Gotta run. I’ve got my favorite client due in—my grandmother.”