Jessica had her pink gym bag slung over her shoulder, and her long hair pulled up into a ponytail. She wore leggings and a sports bra; her face bare of any makeup. It was easy to forget how many freckles she had when they were usually covered. No mascara, no false lashes, nothing on her lips…

God, she was beautiful.

“I go here,” I said, holding up the card.

She stared at it in confusion, as if she suspected some kind of trick. “Uh…since when?”

“Since now.” I picked up my bag from beside the sign-up desk, heading back so I could find a spot to start stretching. Jess followed right on my heels.

“I thought you went to the gym closer to the house,” she said.

I grinned, although she couldn’t see it from behind me. “I needed a change of environment. This place is nice. Pool, sauna, a yoga room — I should have upgraded a while ago.”

There was a smile in her words as she said, “Vincent put you up to this, didn’t he?”

I turned to face her. “Vincent? Nah, he could care less about the gym.”

Her hip cocked as she folded her arms. “So it’s a coincidence that you’re here to watch me the day after I run into Manson’s creepy dad?”

Shrugging, I said, “Can’t hurt to have someone to keep an eye on you. Don’t worry, I won’t interrupt your flow. I’ve got my own routine. I’m not going to be following you around.”

Her face fell so drastically I thought I’d offended her. But she wasn’t looking at me — she was looking over my shoulder.

“Morning, Jess. Need someone to spot you today?

Oh fucking hell.

Alex’s face stiffened when I turned around. I was pretty sure I was the only guy with blue hair in this goddamn town, but he still looked at me as if he was stunned to see me.

I waved a quick peace sign at him. “Mornin’, buddy. She’s good. I’ll spot her today.”

For a second, I thought he was going to punch me in the face. His hands clenched into fists, his lip curling in disgust as he looked me up and down. He had several inches of height on me, but height wasn’t everything. I had no doubt I could kick this guy’s ass if it came down to it.

But I wasn’t trying to get kicked out of my fancy new gym on the first day.

“Later.” I gave him a dismissive nod and walked away, leaving him there to stew. Jess followed right behind me, but a prickling feeling of irritation was bubbling up in me. I’d had no clue Alex went here too. Did he work out with her? Jess didn’t even like the guy!