Eve followed her client. What choice did she have? There were two cable machines placed side by side. One was empty. The other was occupied by Beckett.
Trudy reached the machine and moved the pin to ninety pounds. Eve lowered the handle and traded out the bar for the rope, hyperaware that Beckett was close by. Was he staring at her? Was he thinking it was her idea to race over here? Not that had she minded, but she didn’t want to look like she was chasing him.
She straightened and Trudy grasped the rope just as Beckett finished his own set of rows, released the rope, and glanced over at them. When he caught Eve’s eye, his polite smile turned into a full grin. “Hey,” he said in a deep, throaty voice that made her warm all over.
“Hey,” she managed, lifting a hand.
Trudy released the cables and put one hand on her slim hip. “Beckett Turner, as I live and breathe. Hello.” She stuck out her hand.
Beckett extended his hand and shook hers. “Nice to meet you, Ms. …”
“Trudy Gunnell.” Trudy grinned and licked her lips. “Very nice to meet you. What brings you to Golden?”
“I have a home here,” he said evasively. He glanced past her to Eve and also extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Ms.…”
Eve figured she couldn’t be rude to a client of her own gym. She put her hand in his and felt a strength and peace radiate through her. This was a man who would be there for her. This man would never ditch her when he found out she hadn’t received an inheritance from her father. She startled and would’ve pulled her hand back to stop her crazy thoughts but he held on to her hand and stared at her, waiting, waiting for what?
“Your name,” Trudy hissed, making her feel like a complete idiot.
“Oh …” Eve blushed furiously. “Eve Jewel. Nice to meet you.”
Beckett held onto her hand. “Beckett Turner, but you can call me Beck.”
Trudy sighed beside her.
Eve pulled her hand back and focused on Trudy. “Rows,” she said.
Her client rolled her eyes but grabbed the rope.
Beck smiled and nodded to them both. “Bye, Trudy,” he said.
“Bye,” Trudy said breathlessly.
“See you at eleven,” he said to Eve, focusing his blue gaze on her and making her knees feel wobbly.
“See you,” she said just as breathlessly as Trudy.
He strode away to the free weights area and neither woman moved as they stared after him.
“That is a perfect specimen,” Trudy murmured.
Eve shook herself from the Beck-staring trance and adjusted the weight on the cable machine. “I think you can take a little more weight on the row but take it nice and slow.”
“You don’t agree that he’s a stud?” Trudy asked, turning back and taking the rope from Eve to start executing the row.
Eve shrugged. “I’d prefer not to objectify him.”
Trudy chuckled. “Stay on your high horse and I’ll drool and objectify.” Her mouth twisted in a frown. “If only he’d look at me like he does at you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Please tell me you’re not that closed off to the male species. I’ve heard how men ask you out and you claim you can’t date clients. But come on … Beckett Tanner was checking you out hardcore. Oh, wait … he askedyouto call him Beck.” She winked. “Give that handsome man a chance, for me if not for yourself.”
Eve couldn’t resist darting a glance at Beck. He looked in the mirror and caught her gaze, giving her a grin that she felt was meant only for her.
She bit at her lip and turned away as Trudy muttered, “Point proven.”