12 Days of Forever(36)



“She saw you with Cami, said that Cami has been practicing in my spot.”

Oliver laughs, and it chills my bones. “Cami is your understudy. She needs the practice.”

“In more ways than one, I’m sure.”

“Such a flippant attitude you have.”

I roll my eyes and count to ten. “I’m at a party; I need to go. I’ll call you when I get home.”

“Which will be when? I miss you and need to be with you.”

I shake my head and don’t answer, ending the call and turning off my phone. I have to be stronger than the person I am when he’s around. I need to be the confident woman I am when I’m with Xander. That woman wouldn’t take Oliver’s shit.





I look around the gym and count maybe five people in here. A few are the meatheads, the power lifters, hoisting some weights before they go drink themselves into a stupor. Their New Year’s Resolutions will actually start on the second, after they’ve had a day to detox. Tonight, they want the tighter muscles to show through their skintight shirts. It’s a trick all the guys use. Pound out a few reps before you go on a date. When you think you might score, hit the bathroom and get a few push-ups in before you take off your shirt. Girls have been known to do it as well, but with guys it’s obvious.

It’s been snowing on and off today, creating just enough slush outside that boots are required. Growing up in Florida, I didn’t have many opportunities to see snow until I went off to college. I attended the University of Delaware for physical therapy, and the first time it snowed there I didn’t know what to do. My buddies all laughed at me and took me shopping after class. I had to outfit an entire wardrobe just to get through the cold winters. Shorts and flip-flops weren’t going to cut it. The weather can ruin a lot of plans, and I’m wondering how tonight is going to shape up.

I’m taking Yvie out, or better yet, she’s taking me. She asked me to be her date for tonight and I happily accepted. She’s going home tomorrow. She’s assured me that I’ll be rid of her just after the New Year. Thing is, I’m not ready for her to leave. I like having her around, and I especially like that she has come into the gym the past few days. After Liam and Josie’s anniversary party, I took her back to Harrison’s where she still had a car. She wanted to stay there, and I understood. She wants to get to know the twins and this extra time is important to her. Still, I wouldn’t mind waking up next to her, but right now I’ll take whatever I can get.

Yvie left about an hour ago. She walked out of here promising me a night to remember. Little does she know that just being in the same room with her, or holding her hand is all I really need. Being the gym owner has its perks, but not when you’re the only one working. Since the first night here, I’ve had thoughts of taking her on my desk, having my arm sweep everything off as her hands pull at my clothes. She’s adventurous, I’ll give her that. And flexible. I have a whole new appreciation for a ballet barre now that I’ve been able to use it for something fun. I want to make a New Year’s resolution, but having it fail doesn’t appeal. If either of us lived in the same city, it’d be easy to sit down and tell her that I want more. That we owe it to ourselves to give us a chance. Right now, my resolution would be to make sure she’s always smiling and for her to know that I’m a phone call away.

The gym is going to feel empty without her, but I’m trying not to think about it. Having Yvie here and working out brought a spark to me. Other members have noticed it, but I played it off telling them it was because of the holidays; no one needs to know the truth – I’ve fallen for the girl. I’ll make sure everything goes back to normal. She’s not my girlfriend. I have to remind myself of this fact daily, but Yvie makes me smile, and we have an amazing time together. This past week has been refreshing and one of my best weeks ever. I owe that all to her and when she leaves tomorrow, I’ll do the same as I did on Christmas night. I’ll walk into the airport with her and say goodbye.

We’ve made no promises to each other, other than texting and calling occasionally. I don’t know where her head’s at with her ex. It’s not like he’s a normal ex, one that goes away when you break-up; he’s her boss. She’s going to see him and as much as I want to pound his face with my fist and ask her to stay away from him, I’m can’t. Believe me, thoughts of flying to New York to confront the loser have played through my mind many times. I’ve even looked at flights. But Yvie is too important to me to do that. I can’t jeopardize her career because of my overbearing ego and the need to protect what’s mine… or what I want to be mine.

Heidi McLaughlin's Books