Paige

Just as John is thinking to himself, John hears a familiar voice call out, “A penny for your thoughts?”

He looks up to see Paige walking over. Paige is hard to miss—standing at about 5’8” with a muscular build, she has an aura of confidence that commands attention. Her black hair is tied back in a high ponytail, and the tattoos on her arms and shoulders tell stories of strength and resilience. She’s wearing a fitted tank top that shows off her defined biceps and a pair of leggings that accentuate her powerful legs.

“Hey, Paige,” John replies, trying to sound casual. “Just working through some stuff.”

Paige raises an eyebrow and crosses her arms, the corner of her mouth curling into a half-smile. “Mind if I join you for a bit?”

“Not at all,” John says, moving over to the squat rack.

Paige grabs a pair of weights and follows him. “So, what’s got you all distracted?”

John sets up the barbell and begins his squats, feeling the weight press down on his shoulders. He takes a deep breath and starts his set, counting each rep in his head. Paige watches him for a moment before picking up a nearby dumbbell and doing some Bulgarian squats, her movements precise and controlled.

After finishing his set, John racks the barbell and wipes the sweat from his forehead. He hesitates for a moment, then decides to open up. “It’s just... a lot happened today. I had my last day at the summer job, and Camila... she said some things that got me thinking.”

Paige nods, her expression attentive. “Things like what?”

John takes a deep breath. “She told me I was welcome anytime, even after my job ended. It felt... different. Like, more than just being nice.”

Paige’s eyes narrow slightly as she processes this. “Sounds like she’s fond of you, but she is your bosses wife. How do you feel about that?”

John shrugs, moving into his next set of squats. “I don’t know. I never thought about it that way. And then her daughter, Michelle, showed up. It was just... weird.”

Paige chuckles softly. “Sounds like a complicated situation. But, hey, you’re a good guy, John. Just be honest and take things as they come.”

John finishes his set and steps back, feeling a little lighter. Paige’s straightforward advice is exactly what he needed to hear. “Thanks, Paige. I appreciate it.”

Paige gives him a reassuring smile. “Anytime. Now, let’s see if you can keep up with me on the next set.”

John laughs, feeling the tension start to melt away. Together, they push through their sets, the camaraderie and physical exertion helping John find a bit of clarity amidst the confusion.