More flirting.

“So what would you like to get out of your experience at the gym? What are some of your goals?” Chris asked Bella.

The two had sat down next to each other on one of the leather couches in reception. Chris had a small planning notebook placed over his crossed legs and was beginning to write down a plan for his patron.

“I’m not really sure…” Bella smiled, seeming a little embarrassed that she hadn’t planned ahead.

Chris returned a reassuring smile, “That’s okay. Would you like to get stronger maybe?”

“Um… not really…” She hesitated, “Can I confess something?”

“Sure, go ahead.” Chris was slightly caught off guard.

“The reason I thought I should sign up for the gym is because I turn forty in a couple months and honestly it’s kind of freaking me out.” She laughed uncomfortably, “I thought I should sign up because I want to stay in shape and… I don’t know…”

“You’re thirty-nine?” Chris was genuinely surprised. “Ms Rivera if you don’t mind me saying: you look fantastic. You don’t look a day over twenty-five!”

She looked down embarrassed and smiled widely. “Stop it.” Bella laughed, putting a hand on his arm.

“I’m serious!” Chris laughed along, catching her eye contact. “All right. I think I know a nice program that will suit you perfectly.”

Bella realised when he went to turn a page in his book that her hand was still on his arm. Her heart skipped slightly and she pulled away, returning her hand to her lap.

“It’s mostly a pretty standard gentle program, but it has a few little kicks in it too. It has a little bit of cardio, not too much lifting or anything like that.” Chris explained. Looking up at her he lost his train of thought momentarily. “Uhh... it should help you stay in shape and just feel good in general.”

“Sounds perfect!”

“I thought you said there wasn’t going to be too much lifting?” Bella laughed, wiping a light sweat off her brow.

Chris had run her through a couple of gentle machine lifts and cardio exercises before showing her to the weight section.

“Is it too much?” Chris asked worried. “I can cut some of it out if you like?”

“No, I’m just kidding.” She grinned, “I just haven’t done any of this for a while so I’m feeling it a bit.”

“All right, well this is the last thing I had planned anyway, so after this you can put the feet up.” Chris smiled.

He led her over to the squat rack and demonstrated good form for her before putting on a light weight and letting her use it.

At the top of one her reps Bella asked. “Squats work out your butt, right?”

“Yep this one is great for the Glutes, core… Lots of stuff.”

“Good, my butt needs work.” She said, doing another rep.

“No, it doesn’t.” Chris said instinctively. He had been monitoring her form, which included looking at her butt. But as soon as the words left his mouth he looked up and saw her looking at him in the mirror, smiling. “Sorry… I shouldn’t have said… Not like…Uh…”

“It’s all right.” She grinned, “How many of these am I doing?”

Chris came to his senses, “Oh that was ten. You’re done!”

“All right boys are you done?” Bella asked her sons.

Chris and Bella reentered reception to find the twins sitting down waiting for their mother. They both nodded in reply, both of them staring at their phone screens, not bothering to look up.

“Okay. Bye Chris. Nice to meet you Lisa.” Bella said while leaving.

“I’ll see you next time.” Chris waved and caught her eye one last time.