Actually, probably too easy. Because it didn’t take long for the routine stepping to become boring. She walked faster than this through the grocery store, for goodness’ sake. Shouldn’t it be more of a challenge?

As she continued to idly climb the stairs, she let her mind wander, going over her long day at work. She recalled how busy she’d been taking inventory, how many orders she’d received, and how the phone hadn’t stopped ringing. Then she remembered something else that had her groaning. She had promised to do an update for her followers on her antiquing vlog before leaving work—something she’d failed to do. Crap.

Preslee wasn’t all that great at social media. Sadly, the antique shop’s online presence consisted only of a fairly basic website and an Instagram account with a small number of followers. Still, Preslee hated disappointing anyone, especially when it came to the loyal customers who were supporting her father’s store. When she made them a promise, she always did her best to keep it. But with the upsetting phone call from the doctor this morning, the rush to find workout clothes at lunchtime, and the angst that came along with joining the gym, she’d forgotten all about it.

Maybe she could do a short video update from here. After all, it was just some information she was sharing about some new antique pieces that would be arriving next week. And lots of other vloggers made videos while doing mundane things, such as driving, shopping, or cooking. Why couldn’t she? It would be…very twenty-first century of her.

So Preslee propped her phone on the stair-climber’s dashboard to stabilize it and began making a short video via a live feed, keeping her voice low so as to not disturb the other patrons. Within minutes, she’d finished her quick update. But as she reached to end the livestream, her hand accidentally brushed across a random button on the stair-climber…and the machine instantly sped up.

Oh crap.

*  *  *

Adam Caldwell rounded the counter at the check-in desk and clapped Kurt on the back. “Hey, buddy. How are things today?”

Kurt shrugged. “Same as always. Where have you been? You were supposed to be here an hour ago.”

“Sorry. Got tied up. My dad called…again.”

Kurt’s brow rose slightly. “Are they still lecturing you about quitting medical school? Man. That was forever ago. Get over it.”

Adam ran a frustrated hand through his unruly hair. “Tell me about it. But I guess me quitting school to open a gym is apparently always going to be a sore spot between us. I can thank Michael for that.”

“Your older brother? Why?”