Heartbeats and Handholds

Chapter 24

Ryan Pov:

My shift was almost over. I'd even texted Mia to swing by later, so we could grab food after.

Keyword: later.
Which, apparently, Mia Taylor Dictionary translates into early.

Because there she was.
Sitting on one of the benches near the front desk, scrolling her phone. Oversized hoodie, sneakers, hair falling in her face and completely oblivious to the way every other guy in this place was staring like she was a new protein flavor.

And of course, because the universe hates me, Derek—the other trainer—decided that was his cue.

"Hey," I heard him say, leaning casually against the counter. "You new here? Haven't seen you around."

I paused mid-demonstration with my client, jaw tightening. Oh, hell no.

Mia looked up, startled. "Oh—I'm not a member. Just waiting for someone."

"Lucky guy." Derek grinned. "I could, uh, give you a free trial. Show you around. We've got great classes—yoga, spin. Or, if you want something more personal, I do one-on-one training." He flexed his arm like the world's biggest tool.

I nearly dropped the dumbbell I was holding.

Mine. Mine. Mine.
My brain was basically a caveman chant at this point.

Mia blinked, polite as ever. "That's nice of you, but I don't really—"

"Come on," Derek pushed. "One session. No charge. You'd kill it in the gym. You've got the look."

The look?
Jesus Christ.

I dismissed my client with a quick, "That's good for today—stretch it out, keep your water up." Then I strolled over, towel slung around my neck, trying not to look like I was seconds away from tackling Derek through the smoothie bar.

"Everything good here?" I asked, voice smooth but edged.

Mia's face lit up instantly. "Ryan!"

Derek's smirk faltered just a little. "Oh—you two know each other?"

I leaned down, brushed a kiss against Mia's temple—slow, deliberate. "You could say that."

Mia turned red, but smiled. Meanwhile, I looked Derek dead in the eye with my best fuck around and find out expression.

He raised his hands in mock defense. "Alright, alright. Didn't know she was... yours."

"Yeah," I said easily, wrapping an arm around Mia's shoulders. "Now you do."

Mia blinked up at me, completely missing the entire testosterone-fueled exchange. "Did you finish early? I thought I was supposed to wait—"

"Baby," I said, just loud enough for Derek to hear, "you showing up early is the best part of my shift."

Derek gagged. Literally gagged. "I'm out of here."

I smirked, watching him slink away. Then looked down at Mia, who was staring at me, confused.

"What?" she asked.

I grinned, squeezing her closer. "Nothing. Just claiming what's mine."

Her eyes widened. "Ryan—"

"Relax, Little Sheep. I'm not about to put collar on you that says 'Ryan Girlfriend'." I winked. "But don't tempt me."

She groaned and shoved at my chest. I laughed, but inside?
Yeah. The caveman chant was still going.

Mine.

.................................................

We grabbed food in near fast food café and we talked, teased and I irritated her bit. Hehe