His brows collapsed over his eyes. “You’re right. That would be very rude and obnoxious of me…if it were true. I, ah, didn’t know you worked here. I just came in to buy my mom a gift for her birthday. When I saw you sitting behind the desk, I thought I’d come over and say hello.” He lifted one wary brow. “But now I’m starting to regret that decision.”

Oh man. Of course he didn’t know where she worked. How would he? She hadn’t mentioned it at all during their conversation the other night. Why didn’t she take that into consideration before she opened her big mouth and jumped all over him, accusing him of something as stupid as stalking her?

Like a guy who looked like him would need to stalk anyone.

Preslee cringed. “I’m sorry. I feel like such a presumptuous idiot right now. I assumed that you…well, you know.”

He shrugged. “It’s okay. I probably would’ve thought the same thing had I been in your shoes. It’s no big deal.”

“Stop that,” she ordered, her eyes narrowing. “Don’t you dare let me off the hook that easy. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions, and I’m trying to offer you a sincere apology.”

“It’s okay. You already did.”

“Yeah, but you negated it when you started making excuses for me. You can’t do that.”

Adam smirked. “Fine. Then I accept your apology.” He cocked his head. “Is that better?”

She blew out a frustrated breath. “Not really. Now I feel like you’re placating me to make me feel better.”

He chuckled. “Okay, let’s make a deal. You tell me why you got so defensive when I asked about why you haven’t been back to the gym, and we’ll call it even.”

She scrunched her nose. “Um, I’d rather just apologize again.”

A slight smile stretched his lips. “Why? What’s the big deal?” When she hesitated, he added, “You can tell me, Preslee. I’m not going to judge you, I promise.” He touched her arm.

The gesture was probably meant to comfort her, but instead it had her heart stuttering inside her chest and words rushing past her lips. “I wasn’t planning on coming back, okay?”

God. Why’d she tell him that? Couldn’t she have made up something lame…like she’d broken her leg or something?

He leaned forward, concern etched in his features. “Why? Did something happen?”

Man, he was the last person she wanted to talk to about this, but he was staring, waiting for an answer. “Something did happen. But it didn’t factor into my decision. I just…ah, don’t think your gym is going to help me any.”

His brow rose again, higher this time. “Really? How come?”