“Well, I hope Josh makes you happy. That’s all I ever wanted for you. To be happy. And if Josh is the one who does that for you, then—”

“Goodness no,” she said, shaking her head and giggling. “Josh and I are just friends. Well, that and technically I’m also his new boss. We’ve been traveling together around the local area, visiting different estate sales and auction sites, looking for antiques. Josh has a vast knowledge that comes in handy, and I’ve been learning a lot from him. But there’s absolutely nothing going on between us.”

The sound of relief was evident in his sigh, but he didn’t care. Hope had filled him once more. No wonder he hadn’t seen Josh in the gym lately. “Sorry. I just assumed that there was something more between the two of you. I’m glad there’s not.” Then he paused, realizing what she’d actually said. “Wait a minute. Isn’t traveling to the auction sites your dad’s job?”

“It used to be. Now it’s mine. When my dad finally came back to work, he said he was impressed with the way I’d handled the business while he was away and decided he liked having all the extra free time on his hands. So now he’s planning to retire within the year and is allowing me to take over the business.”

Adam beamed a proud smile at her. “That’s great, Preslee. Congratulations. I know you wanted that, and you deserve it.”

“Thanks,” she said, returning his smile.

“So why are you here?” God, that sounded rude. Maybe he should’ve softened it a little. “I mean, I haven’t seen you in four weeks, and then you suddenly pop up. I guess I’m just wondering why.” Yeah, not better.

She nodded toward the large metal scale that Adam kept in the bathroom hallway for his clients and gym members to use. “It’s weigh-in day.”

He shook his head. “Preslee, you don’t have to weigh in anymore. I forfeited the bet to Kurt, remember? I can tell you’ve lost more weight since I’ve last seen you, but you didn’t have to hit the goal to prove anything to me.”

“I didn’t. I hit it for me.”

*  *  *

Preslee smiled wide at the confused expression on Adam’s face. God, she missed him. But those sentiments would have to wait. Right now, she needed to finish what she started. “Sorry, Adam. But it was my goal. Not yours.”

He nodded. “You’re right. It was yours, and you deserve to wear that badge of honor. How much weight have you lost?”

She shrugged. “I don’t really know. I haven’t weighed myself at all in the past month. I could just tell I was losing weight from the fit of my clothes.”