Vivian bites her lip, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Does this ‘good way’ involve appreciating his sexy form while he demonstrates those squats?”
I feel my cheeks heating up. “I’m trying to focus on the exercises, not ... that.”
“But you’re not denying it,” Vivian interjects, her tone teasing. “Come on, Carlie, we’re all friends here. You can admit if he’s hot.”
I take a deep breath, the wine emboldening me. “Okay, fine. He’s definitely attractive. There, I said it. Happy?”
The group bursts into laughter and teasing remarks, but Anna remains quietly focused on her phone, her fingers moving with a purpose. After a moment, she looks up, her deadpan expression hiding a glint of something I can only assume is amusement. It’s hard to tell with her.
“So, this Adam ... is he Adam Foxx by any chance?” Anna asks looking like a cat who caught a canary.
I pause, blinking in surprise. “How did you know his last name?”
Anna holds up her phone, displaying an Instagram profile. “Because Adam Foxx, your mystery trainer from St. Mary’s, happens to be somewhat of an Instagram celebrity.”
The group leans in, peering at Anna’s phone.
There he is—Adam—in various shots showing off his perfectly toned physique, engaging in workouts, and even some behind-the-scenes glimpses of his personal life.
I practically fall out of my chair.
His follower count reads inthe millions.
Vivian whistles, her eyes wide. “Holy ... Carlie, you’ve been training with an Instagram sensation?”
My mouth feels like I’ve been sucking on a desert dune. “I ... I had no idea. He never mentioned anything about this.”
Anna’s smirk widens. “Seems like you’ve got more than just a trainer. He’s a whole brand.”
Lily’s voice drops low as she says, “And here we were, thinking you were just gettingregulargym sessions.”
“Bet that makes those squats and lunges a bit more interesting now, doesn’t it?” Vivian chimes in, nodding in my direction.
My cheeks feel like they’ve burst into flames as I pat them down.
The Adam in these photos seems worlds apart from the Adam who teases me about forgotten water bottles and pushes me to my limits at the gym. It’s like seeing a completely different side of him, one that’s polished, public, and ... intimidating.
Oh, god … What he must think of me.
“Wow, Carlie. Training with a celebrity and you didn’t even brag about it,” Tasia jokes, reaching across her chair to nudge my shoulder gently.
I manage a weak smile in her direction but my mind is racing. This new revelation about Adam adds a whole layer of complexity to my already confusing feelings.
“Yeah, I guess I’m just humble like that.” I force a laugh. “Or clueless.Probablyclueless.”
Anna, still scrolling through Adam’s Instagram, says, “Look at this one. He’s doing yoga in front of the Lift Bridge at sunset.”
Vivian snatches the phone, her eyes widening as she takes it in. “Dang, he looks bendy.”
I lean over to look and can’t help but quip, “Oh, I can personally attest to the bendiness. We did partner yoga on Tuesday night.”
The room falls silent, every pair of eyes suddenly fixed on me again. Why can’t I just keep my mouth shut?
“I mean, it was unexpected, but …” I backpedal.
“Partner yoga?” Anna’s eyes nearly bulge out of their sockets. “As in,‘let’s balance our bodies in an intimately close proximity way’yoga?”
Tasia sets her glass down with a clink. “Well, that certainly adds a new layer to‘personal training’.”