“Don’t change who you are to be someone you’re not.” I leaned against the door, feeling drained on the topic but wanting to be fair. “Truth is, I’m not looking for anyone right now. As you know, my family has been through a lot the past ten years, and I need to focus on that. I’ll date, but right now that’s as far as I go.”
“All I’m asking for is a date.”
“It’s not a good idea.”
She stepped down a stair. “Well, when you’re ready.”
“I’ll know where to find you.” I nodded, thankful she wasn’t going to push any more. I didn’t want to hurt her and was hopeful she’d find someone else.
Once she left, I skipped my drink and headed back inside, changed into my workout gear, and hit the treadmill for a solid hour.
It was important in the life I led to be fast, fit, and lean, as well as to be able to kill someone with my bare hands.
The bottom part of my house was dedicated to all of that. I had the best of the best equipment and some of the top trainers in Italy.
I grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat from my face and neck as I pushed the button on the wall, knowing I needed a harder workout to be able to turn my head off for the night.
Aldo, the nearly three-hundred-pound trainer who was, despite his size, unbelievably quick, stepped into the room and cracked his thick neck.
“Ready?” he grunted as we both stepped into the ring on the opposite side of the room.
I raised my hands and spent the next two hours fighting to keep my jaw intact.