12 Days of Forever(13)

“So you and Yvie, huh?” he asks as he sets the dumbbell on the bar catchers. He sits up and loosens his arms while I add more weight.

“I just met her yesterday,” I tell him, as he lies back down for his next set.

“She has a douche for a boyfriend,” Liam adds, throwing me back a little. She never mentioned a boyfriend and had plenty of time to say something. That is just another reason for her and me to steer clear of each other.

“She broke up with him,” Harrison says, shooting down my most recent reason to stay away. “She’s never been serious about him anyway.”

“You should hit that,” JD says, appearing out of nowhere.

I step back and put my hands up. “Hold on here, guys. First off, she’s your sister.” I point at Harrison who shrugs. “Secondly, I’m not hitting anything.” JD grins. “And third, shouldn’t Harrison be the one giving me the third degree?” Liam doesn’t say anything because he’s too busy pushing the dumbbell back into place. “I just met her. She’s pretty, but give me a break, guys. I’m trying to be respectful here.”

“So you admit that you think Yvie is hot?” JD says, raising his eyebrows.

I throw my hands up and walk away, letting them finish their workout.

“At least we know he can count to three,” Liam says, causing the other two to start laughing. I give them the bird as I disappear into my office.

I’m not in my office thirty seconds when Harrison pokes his head in. “You had to know it was coming.”

“Nothing happened, I swear.”

“It can. I mean, if you wanted it to and she was game. I’m not that big brother, in case you’re wondering. I mean, I’d kill you if you hurt her, but she’s an adult and can make her own choices. Just be sure to wrap your dick.” He shuts the door before I can even respond.

I bang my head on my desk in quick succession. I feel like I’m back in high school stuck in the locker room after watching the cheerleaders practice. Every guy got a stiffy for them, especially our freshman year, except she’s not a cheerleader. She’s a ballerina with a smoking hot body, killer eyes and thinking about her makes me hard. I can’t even consider the fact that she’s one of my best friends’ sister. The only thing that matters is that she’s leaving, and I’m not into long distance romances, Skyping and waiting in overcrowded airports. I want the real thing, in living color.

After the last gym member leaves, I shut off the lights. All this week I’ve let my staff leave early so they can finish their Christmas shopping or prepare their holiday meals. My mom used to start baking the week before Christmas so I know what it’s like. I didn’t cut any hours; everyone has been working during the day, which has proved beneficial since the gym is spotless, all the equipment is cleaned and we’re fully stocked for the New Year.

The chime on the door signals, telling me that someone has just walked in. It would’ve made sense that I locked the door when I turned off the lights, but any sense I had today has been living in my nether region.

“We’re closed,” I yell out as I walk around the corner. I stop dead in my tracks when I see Yvie standing in the middle of the gym glowing like an angel thanks to the street lights shining in from outside. She’s carrying a plate in her hands and is looking everywhere but at me.

“I didn’t realize you closed so early.”

I shrug and take a few steps toward her. The smell of brownies, cookies and all-round goodness meets my senses, reminding me that it’s been years since I’ve had someone bake for me.

“I thought people needed time to shop and didn’t want them to feel guilty that they hadn’t worked out so I’m closing early this week.”

Yvie nods and continues to look past me. “These are for you. The kids and I were baking and I thought… I don’t know, it’s probably stupid. I don’t really eat sweet things because I’m always watching my weight –”

“You don’t need to.” That statement gets her attention, and her eyes meet mine. There’s a small hint of a smile, but it quickly fades. This woman has been damaged, and it makes me see red. No man, regardless of his position, should ever tell a woman she’s fat. Curves or no curves, women are beautiful.

Yvie walks to the counter and sets down the plate. I’m tempted to rush over, snatch it from her hands and rip it off the cover. I have a feeling she’s a damn good cook in the kitchen, which is one reason she worries so much about keeping her weight down.