“What are your intentions with my granddaughter? And what exactly are you doing here so early?” she asks, narrowing her gaze and raising her chin.
“I, uh—” I hedge. I don’t mind telling her any of it—it’s just I want Carlie to find out from me what my idea is.
Truthfully, it’s kinda sweet she cares so much.
“‘Uh’ is not an explanations, Adam. Cat got your tongue?” she fires back, her focus never straying from my face.
Just as I’m about to explain the idea of offering personal training to Carlie at my place—because let’s face it, that look on her grandma’s face means business—I hear footsteps descending the stairs.
Carlie appears in her doorway, looking relaxed and comfortable in a rumpled t-shirt and sweatpants. It’s a stark contrast to some of the other outfits I’ve seen, and it adds a new level of interest to her.
I read her shirt, which says, “Piss me off and I’ll kill you …in my books.”
Despite myself, I have to chuckle.
“Adam, what are you doing here?” Carlie asks, her eyes lighting up with surprise.
I turn to her, feeling her grandmother’s scrutinizing gaze on me. “I wanted to check in on you and see how you’re doing. And I have something to propose to you.”
“Grandma, you can go,” Carlie says, looking past me with a pointed look.
Carlie’s grandmother narrows her gaze on me, then raise two fingers to her eyes and flicks them my direct.
Carlie lets out an exasperated sigh.
Her grandma grins broadly at Carlie, then excuses herself, leaving us to talk.
Carlie rolls her eyes, then steps closer, a curious expression now on her face. “What’s this about a proposal?”
Taking a deep breath, I begin, “I was thinking …”
Her green eyes lock with mine and for a brief moment, I almost get lost in them. She raises her eyebrows expectantly.
“Sorry,” I say, shaking my head to clear it. “I was thinking about the conversation we had last week about you being my first client if I opened a gym. Now, hear me out?—”
Her eyes widen. “You’re doing it? You’re opening your own gym?”
“Yes, I mean—sorta. Right now, I’d have to train you at my place. But it’s a start. Dylan told me you might have quit your sessions and I thought—” I exhale another breath. “I thought maybe Jillian pushed you over the edge. She can be a great trainer, but sometimes, she can also be brutal. You deserve better.”
Carlie watches me intently and after a moment, she smiles, a look of relief and excitement crossing her features. “I think this is a fantastic idea, Adam. You’re right, I couldn’t stomach any more sessions with Jillian. Not after—” She pauses, her eyes finding mine. “I’d love to be your first client.”
The tension I hadn’t realized I was holding onto melts away. “Great! We’ll start fresh next Monday. How does that sound? It’ll give you some time to rest up and I’ll get everything organized on my end.”
Her smile widens, and she nods in agreement. “Sounds like a plan. A fresh start.”
“A fresh start,” I agree with a nod.
As we finalize the details and I head out, I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment and anticipation.
Monday won’t just be a new beginning for my career—it’s a new beginning for my life. And Carlie seems to be an integral part of it.
But first … I have a date to plan.
CHAPTER20
Carlie
Four days have slipped by since the night at New Scenic Café.