“Need a ride back?” Keiran asked after the meeting wrapped up.

“No, thanks, I’m good.” There was no way she’d get into the car with him again today. Her self-control needed adjusting. Hopefully, the gym would help her work off these lustful feelings.

“I’m going to the gym. I’ll grab a ride home with Reba.”

“You’re going where?” Reba sputtered. She pressed the back of her hand against Cherisse’s forehead. “You good? You’re willingly going there?” She narrowed her eyes. “Who are you, and what have you done with Cherisse?”

Cherisse nudged Reba’s hand away. “Yes, yes, the world’s ending, better prep the bunkers with snacks,” she joked. She was pretty vocal of her hatred of the gym. Reba and Remi employed good-natured ribbing at her expense all the time. But it was true. Usually, she’d have to be dragged kicking and screaming. Awkwardly sweating her ass off in front of other people was not her thing. She could get her sweat on at home.

“I’m tagging along. I need photographic evidence of this,” Reba said gleefully.

Cherisse rolled her eyes. “You know damn well you’re only going to gape and take selfies.”

Reba cocked a hip and grinned. “Well, boss lady, cute gymwear isn’t gonna photograph itself.”

Reba was gym-averse as well, preferring her swimming and yoga to anything else. Remi was the gym beast among them. Cherisse got tired just watching Remi’s workout routine.

“What gym you go to?” Keiran asked. He was doing that intense stare thing again, knowing smile plastered on his lips. Act natural, she willed herself, even as she felt heat prickling up her neck.

“Jungle Gym.” She hoped to God he wasn’t about to invite himself because there was no way she’d be up for that. She didn’t need to drop heavy weights on her foot because she was distracted watching Keiran craft those lickable abs. She wasn’t strong enough for that.

His smile grew wider. Oh no. “I go there too, sometimes. But not regularly, and not today. Music never sleeps. I’ll probably get in a quick workout at home or something.”

“Mmmhmm.” Reba eyed him up and down. “Whatever gets this package together, I’m here for it.”

Cherisse linked her arm with Reba’s, not the least bit excited about getting to the gym, but she needed to get out of Keiran’s space. Thinking about the private workout they’d just done was a big no. “Bye, we’ll talk. Text. Whatever. Bye.” She dragged Reba away to her car.

#

HER FRIENDS KNEW SOMETHING was weighing on her. Reba had been giving her sidelong glances since they’d left the country club and swung by Reba’s place for Cherisse to borrow something to wear. Now, she felt both their eyes on her as she and Reba did the aerobics class, and Remi went through her reps with her personal trainer. She sensed a tag team coming. She had no clue what she’d say where Keiran was concerned.