Home > When You're Mine (The Gallaghers)(2)

When You're Mine (The Gallaghers)(2)
Author: Layla Hagen

"Mel is my personal trainer," Isabelle said to me. "She's helping me get in shape for the wedding. What are you guys doing in here?"

Mel gave me a warning look. The corners of her mouth tilted up in a smile. I knew what she was thinking. I shouldn't spill her secret, even if the client was my sister.

"Mel was giving me some information about the gym."

My sister narrowed her eyes. Mel didn't catch it because she’d bent to throw away the protein bar wrapper in the trash can, but I didn’t miss it. I could practically read the warning in my sister's eyes: don’t you dare flirt with her.

Wordless communication was standard in our family. Growing up with two sisters and one brother had made that an essential skill. It made everything easier and faster.

I wiggled my eyebrows at my sister because I liked riling her up. Was I that obvious? I guess I was. I’d like to say I was only keeping an eye on Melanie because of her fainting spell, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The woman was smoking hot. However, my sister’s reaction was surprising.

Until recently, she kept bugging me to date seriously again, and now she was warning me off? That was an interesting change, and I was going to question her about it later. If I was honest, I preferred it this way. Ever since my breakup with Lina, my sister had been on a mission to convince me that I didn’t have to give up on relationships. Getting burned once was enough for me. I wasn’t walking down that path again.

Straightening up, Mel focused on Isabelle. “Okay, ready to go?”

“Sure.”

Mel nodded, glancing at me. “Dylan, if you need anything, just ask at reception.”

“I will. See you around. Take care.” I emphasized the last two words.

Her eyes widened, and she nodded almost imperceptibly before leaving with my sister.

I looked after her until they left the room. Her ass looked delicious in those tight pants. The curve of her neck was beckoning me. Damn. I was determined to push today’s incident to the back of my mind, no matter how hot Mel looked in her workout outfit and how much my protective instincts were demanding I check on her later.

 

 

Chapter Two

 


Mel

Isabelle's program consisted of a Pilates routine that started with quick exercises designed to replace a cardio workout before moving on to standard floor-mat exercises. I led her from the reception and break area down a narrow corridor to a small studio where we held private sessions.

It was a small room with mirrors on three sides and a hardwood floor. The fourth wall was a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the Hudson River. Genesis was hands down the fanciest gym I’d ever worked at. It was all hardwood floors and elegant spotlights. The entrance area and the break room had leather seats, and there was a generous employee-only spa area in the locker room. I loved it. It was very spacious, so even though we had a record number of new sign-ups in June, it never felt crowded. The season of the bikini body had officially started, and everyone wanted to get in shape.

"Should you be working so soon after the car accident?" Isabelle asked as we placed two mats on the floor.

Three weeks ago, I had the scare of my life. I took a cab because I was late to work, and we were hit sideways by a driver who went through a red light. Thankfully I wasn’t gravely injured, but the cabbie did spend a week in the hospital.

"Yes, I'm excellent. Don't worry. My doctor said I could go back to work and do my usual schedule."

"I was worried about you," she said, making my heart happy. In the two months since I'd begun training with Isabelle, she had become more like a friend.

"Sometimes I still wake up at night reliving those two seconds before the impact." I shuddered at the memory. I’d been in shock for the first two days, and after that, I was grateful I hadn’t been hurt. If I was honest, the accident helped me see certain things differently and perhaps not take anything for granted, like the fact that I was alive and healthy. That I was living in a beautiful city. And that I had my dad close, and his condition was stable. For these things and many others, I was thankful. I did wish a day would come when I wouldn’t worry about his health all the time, but we were blessed as it was.

I was determined to enjoy life more and also not to repeat some of my past mistakes. At twenty-seven, I’d made quite a few, especially in the dating department. My ex, Elliot, turned out to be nothing like he seemed. We were together for three years, and during that time, I helped him with his business. But when I ran out of money and needed his support, he showed his true colors. I broke up with him more than a year ago, and since then I’ve dated casually. But none of the guys I’d gone out with wanted anything resembling a relationship. So I was done dating any guy who was just looking for sexy fun and no strings.

After the warmup, I said, “Okay, we’re starting with core now—abs and back muscles too, as they all support one another. As usual, I’ll guide you through the movements, even though you know them, so you don't accidentally forget to tuck in your tummy or not curve your back and you hurt yourself. Okay?"

"Sure. You know, I always appreciate it that you also do the exercises with me and don’t just give me instructions."

"Yeah. That's the only way I can work, because if I'm doing the exercises, I know what the intensity level is, and I can adjust that. But don't worry, I'll keep an eye on you, and I'll make sure you do everything correctly." I only did mat exercises, though. When I was with clients who only did weight training, I only watched and corrected their posture.

"You've been my trainer for two months, and I've never left here injured. I trust you."

"Oh, that's good to know. Does that mean you won’t give me a hard time when I make you do some extra exercises?" I said with a grin.

“You’re mean,” Isabelle said, grinning right back.

I took great pride in my job. I loved being a fitness trainer, and I considered myself lucky to be working at Genesis. It was one of the most sought-after gyms to work at in New York because it offered complete privacy, attracting high-paying prestigious clients—and the salary was excellent. I was very fortunate when they hired me two years ago. I recruited a full client list, and all were happy with me and their results, so management was delighted. They also were very thoughtful after my accident, giving me two weeks off with full pay! It was a family-run business with two locations in the city and took really good care of their employees and customers.

Many of my clients recommended me to their friends and family, so I’d brought in lots of new customers. After training with me for a while, Brayden brought Isabelle too, who in turn brought her friend Tess Winchester, and her brother as well.

"So, what did you and Dylan talk about?" she asked while we did a third set of crunches.

I stopped my exercises and pointed at her.

"I know what you're doing. You're trying to distract me."

"No I'm not," she said. When I laughed, she added, "Yes I am. I always do that during my third rep set, don't I?"

"Yes you do. Like clockwork."

"So maybe we should cut the crunches to two rep sets."

I laughed. It was always such a blast to work with Isabelle. She was like all of us, though, wanting to look good but not wanting to suffer for it.

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