“Oh.” The woman frowned. She hunched her shoulders in an apologetic shrug. “I would be more comfortable working with someone who’s certified. Thanks for the class, though. It was so much more fun than the exercise classes I’ve joined at the gym.”

“Yes, it was.” This from the Glam-Ma. “I travel too much to sign on with a long-term trainer, but I can handle getting sweaty every now and then.” She tossed Mr. Hot and Fit a brazen smile.

Taylor bit down on her lip in an effort to contain her giggle.

“Thanks. I’m happy you all enjoyed the class,” she replied, trying to keep the disappointment from her voice.

You win some. You lose some.

And sometimes you lose a lot. But she wasn’t ready to give up. She never gave up.

She pulled the elastic ponytail holder from her hair and gathered the flyaway strands. She’d sweated it out again, which meant at least an hour of blow-drying and flat-ironing tonight. She needed her hair braided in the worst way, but the thought of spending two hundred dollars at the salon was laughable. Braids were a luxury she couldn’t afford at the moment.

As she watched the class disperse, she noticed Mr. Hot and Fit had finally managed to fend off his new crush. He was now off to the side, performing calf stretches.

Oh, c’mon. Could he be more transparent? He was clearly waiting for the others to leave so he could shoot his shot.

Taylor rolled her eyes and prepared for the inevitable corny pickup line. She only hoped he was smoother than the Craighole who’d joined her Muay Thai class last week. He’d approached after their workout, stretched the hem of his sweaty shirt toward her, and said, “Feel this. I wore it for you. It’s made of boyfriend material.”

Okay, so the old Taylor would have totally fallen for that line. But she’d changed in the last three months. It would take more than a cute, but still corny, pickup line to get her number these days.

Mr. Hot and Fit was about to learn that lesson.

He did a couple of side bends while the last two members of the class gathered their belongings. As soon as the women walked off, he made his way toward her.

“Thanks for coming out today,” Taylor said before he could speak.

“I knew when I signed up that I would get a good workout, but this was incredible. Even better than I anticipated,” he replied.

Oooh, he went with flattery. Nice move. It wouldn’t work, but she appreciated the tactic.

“I’m Jamar, by the way,” he continued.

“I’m happy you enjoyed the class, Jamar. Thanks again for participating.” Taylor slung the strap of her backpack over her shoulder and started for the parking lot where she’d parked Nessie.

He followed.