Troy backed away, holding up his hands. “I’m so sorry. I guess I got mixed signals. Please forgive me,” he turned around and ran out of the changing room.
Composing herself, Heather quickly finished her shower and got dressed. As much as she was attracted to Troy and would have loved to make love to him, she couldn’t do that to Tristan. She and Tristan had been together for too long to let some cheap affair ruin everything. She loved Tristan, wanted him. They had built a beautiful life together − but why wasn’t she happy? Why did the thought of Troy seeing her naked body excite her so much?
Walking out to the reception area, she found Troy sitting at the front desk.
"Troy. I’m sorry. You just caught me by surprise,” Heather said, approaching the counter.
“No, I’m really sorry. I overstepped," Troy said, holding up his hands.
“Well, I’m still hungry,” Heather said, giving him a small smile. “Is lunch still on?”
Chapter 6
“Did you bring something to eat?” Tristan asked Lisa, realizing that it was past noon, and his stomach was rumbling. The morning had been quite hectic, with many people coming by and asking about the real estate company.
“Actually, I didn’t. I was hoping they would have a restaurant or something here so I could buy something,” Lisa said as she replenished the stock on her table.
“Well, they do have a small one, but the food there looks like it's been there for weeks. Why don’t I run out and get us something to eat?” Tristan said, grabbing his phone off the table and putting it in his pocket. “That is, if you don’t mind watching my table, you can just give anyone that comes by a pamphlet.”
Lisa nodded and bent to grab her wallet out of her purse, but when she stood up, Tristan was gone. “I didn’t even tell you what I wanted,” she said quietly to herself. She had certain things she didn’t like to eat and hoped that Tristan wouldn’t come back with any of them.
She wondered about his relationship with Heather. She and Heather were best friends, but lately, Heather rarely talked about Tristan. When they had first started dating in high school, it was all she’d talk about. It had got to the point where Lisa was tired of hearing about Tristan Darlington, but when she met him and got to know him better, she realized her feelings for him were more than just friends. She’d never let Heather know that though. She kept it her little secret, spending many a night lying naked in bed pleasuring herself while visions of Tristan making love to her filled her head.
Twenty minutes later, Tristan came back carrying a bag and two bottles of water.
"That was fast," Lisa said, smiling. “No one came by. The traffic seems to have slowed down. I guess everyone is going for lunch.”
“Great. Okay, I got you a ham and swiss on a whole wheat bun, extra cheese, no tomatoes, no lettuce and just a small dab of mayonnaise,” Tristan said, taking the sandwich out of the bag and handing it to her.
“How in the heck did you know what to get me? I never told you what I liked or didn't like," Lisa said, shaking her head.
“I pay attention. I remember us having a conversation last year about what type of sandwiches we liked,” Tristan said, taking his phone out and frowning.
“Anything wrong?” Lisa asked, biting into her sandwich.
“Not really, but I just can’t get a hold of Heather. I know she said she was going to the gym and then maybe a manicure, but I've left her three messages, and she hasn't answered any of them," Tristan said, putting his phone back in his pocket. “Oh well, she’s probably buying some new clothes or something.”
✽✽✽
In the gym utility room, Heather took the last of the gym towels out of the dryer and started to fold them. Lunch with Troy had been wonderful, and when they returned to the gym, she hadn’t wanted to go home. She wanted to stay and talk to Troy, watch him as he worked out, listen to his voice, laugh with him and just forget that she had another life, that she was someone else’s girlfriend. It didn’t help that she kept thinking about what might have happened in the shower had she let Troy join her.
“Hey, you didn’t have to do that,” Troy said when he walked into the utility room.
“Oh, I know, but I really appreciate the time you spend with me; I want to help in some way," Heather said, smiling.
"Well, you pay me, so it's not like you owe me anything, but I appreciate the help. I’m hoping that soon I’ll be able to hire some more staff,” Troy said, taking a pile of freshly folded towels.
“Is there anything else you want me to do?” Heather asked, looking around.
Troy looked at her and put the towels down. Taking her hand, he smiled softly. “What’s up? I’ve known you for a while, and I know when you have something on your mind. Anything you want to talk about? Is this morning still bothering you? I said I was sorry.”
“No, it’s nothing. I think I’m having an early mid-life crisis," Heather said, laughing. "My job is a dead end. I’ve applied for a promotion, but I don’t think I’m going to get it. I have a wonderful boyfriend who treats me like a queen, but I'm just so damn unhappy lately. I don’t know what to do.”
“You know when I get like that, I work out,” Troy said, realizing he was still holding her hand. “But for now, how about a hug?”
Heather smiled and nodded. Troy wrapped his arms around her. She immediately felt safe and warm and never wanted him to let her go. The smell of his musk filled her nostrils, making her suddenly feel like she wanted more of him.
Looking up at him, she reached up and cupped his face as his lips lowered and met hers. Opening her mouth, she felt her heart beat faster as their tongues met. Her mind was a swirling mix of emotions as she felt her body yield to his kiss.
Suddenly pushing herself away before she did something she would regret, she smiled at him. “You know, I’m sure it’s just a phase I’m going through. I better get home.”
Grabbing her purse, she quickly walked out of the gym, not trusting herself to be around Troy any longer.
✽✽✽
“Well, that was quite a day,” Tristan said as he packed up the last of his pamphlets. “I’m so glad that we were beside each other, Lisa.”
Lisa smiled and nodded, hating that the day was over. “It really was. Thanks for lunch and for making the day fun. I’m glad that you and Heather are my friends.”
Tristan checked his phone again, then turned and looked at Lisa. “Any plans for tonight?”
Lisa shrugged. "Sadly, no. I'll probably just go home and curl up with a good book."
“Why don’t you come back to our place? We were planning to have a BBQ for supper. We can relax with a glass of wine, and I'm sure Heather would love to have you over.”
“Oh, I can’t impose on you guys, Tristan. That's very kind of you, though," she said, closing the box of her remaining candles.
“Oh, come on. We spent the day together, why not the night as well,” Tristan chuckled. “I insist.”
Not really feeling like being alone, Lisa nodded. "Well, okay. If you are sure, Heather won't mind."