5. Savannah

FIVE

SAVANNAH

The library was quiet, the kind of hushed stillness that comes just before closing time. I was making my way around, reshelving some returned books, when Adara found me.

"Okay, spill it," she demanded in a hushed tone, glancing around to ensure we were alone. "I need to know all the details on this Daxton guy. You've been all dreamy-eyed since you mentioned him the other day."

I smiled at her. Even though we'd only met when I started working here a little over a month ago, she'd become a good friend.

"Have I been?" I asked, reshelving another book.

While it was true that Daxton had been on my mind a lot, I hadn't thought anyone else could tell.

"Sure have. Come on, give me details!" Adara insisted.

My smile widened as I leaned against the bookcase behind me. "There's not much to say. He's different from any man I've ever met. I can't explain it, but there's something majestic about him."

"Majestic?" Adara arched a brow. "That's not a term most would use to describe a man, but okay."

My cheeks heated. "I don't know how else to describe him. He's a good trainer, and he really listens to you when you talk."

"He's also hot, I'm guessing," Adara continued, a smirk twisting her lips.

"Definitely," I gushed as an image of him surfaced in my mind. "He's also kind and understanding. There's a connection between us. It's hard to explain, but I feel like I've known him forever. He has this familiarity about him I can't shake."

"Sounds like you're really into him. That's how I felt with Dusty, like I'd known him forever. I couldn't quite explain it then, but no one had ever made me feel as safe as he did." A soft smile spread across her face.

Considering Dusty was a firefighter at the local station, it was a given that he made her feel safe. However, I still understood what she was saying. Dusty and Adara were the cutest. He came by nearly every day to take her to lunch, and she never failed to have a smile on her face when she returned.

"I'm into him," I confessed. "But I'm not sure I should be."

"Why not? He's single, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I think so. It's just that things with Alex are complicated right now."

A knot formed in my stomach at the thought of him.

Adara rolled her eyes. "Alex is just complicated. Period. What's he saying about the rental now? I saw you texting like a madwoman all day. It was him, wasn't it?"

I pursed my lips. "Yep. He's still demanding I pay the full rental price."

"What are you going to do?"

I shrugged, feeling defeated. "I'm not sure. He's been texting me all day, asking me to reconsider, but I don't think I should. It's not fair of him to ask me to pay full price when I'm already doing everything to maintain the place. He's off the hook for all of it."

"I couldn't agree with you more, but I am sorry you're having to deal with this. Have you thought about selling the place to cut ties with him altogether and then renting something for yourself?" she asked.

"I've thought about it, but I can't afford it right now."

Everyone would want first, last, and a security deposit. I didn't have that kind of money sitting around. Staying at our rental for now was my only option.

"You'll figure something out. I have faith. Now, back to Daxton," Adara said, changing the subject. "Do you think there's a future there?"

"I hope so," I admitted softly. He was so different from Alex, and I liked that. "He feels right. It's like I'm drawn to him."

Something flitted through Adara's eyes. For a moment, I almost thought she looked shocked by what I'd said, until she pulled me in for a hug.

"I hope everything works out in the best way possible for you two," she gushed. "Just be careful, okay? Alex seems like a ticking time bomb, and you don't know much about Daxton."

"Thanks, I will."

As we wrapped up our closing duties, my thoughts flip-flopped between Daxton and Alex. The prospect of seeing Daxton again had butterflies flapping through my stomach, but every new message from Alex had dread dragging down their wings. I felt as if I were at a crossroads, with excitement drawing me one way and unease pulling me another.

Before we locked up, I slipped into my gym clothes and then headed to my car. My last workout session with Daxton, I'd been in a crappy mood because of everything going on with Alex, and I hadn't gotten as much out of it because of it. At least not until I'd opened up to him and he'd given me some great advice.

Pulling into the parking lot of the fitness center, I spotted an empty spot close to the door. I took it as a good omen as I parked. This session would be better than the last, and I'd clear my head of all the stress and confusion that had been swirling around all day.

As I gathered my bag, my phone buzzed with another message from Alex. I skimmed it, feeling a twinge of annoyance ricochet through me. It was more of the same—him trying to persuade me to reconsider the rent situation. Feeling over it, I typed a response.

I'm done talking about this today. I'm about to start a workout session at the gym. We'll discuss this another time.

I hit send and then shoved my phone into my gym bag with more force than necessary.

As I stepped inside, the familiar sounds of the place filled my ears while I swiped my keycard.

I scanned the room, searching for Daxton. When I spotted him across the gym, talking to another trainer, a fresh rush of butterflies filled me. He looked up and caught my eye, giving me a smile that sent them flapping wildly through the pit of my stomach. I returned his smile as I made my way over to him.

"Hey," I said, trying to keep my tone light. My cell vibrated in my bag, but I refused to check to see who it was, knowing it was most likely Alex again.

"Hey. Ready for today's session?" Daxton asked, his eyes searching mine, probably sensing that something was slightly off with me again.

"Definitely," I replied, mustering up some enthusiasm.

"Great. Let's get started then. How about we begin with a warm-up to get your mind off things," he suggested, as though he could read my mind, while leading the way to an open area of the gym.

"Sounds good."

As we began our warm-up routine, I felt the day's tension ease away. This place was becoming my sanctuary. The place where I could leave my worries at the door and focus on the here and now.

I had Daxton to thank for that.

When our eyes locked, I tried not to smile like an idiot at him. He didn't seem to notice, though. Instead, his gaze dipped to my bag. Was Alex messaging me again? I couldn't hear it.

"Do you need to answer that?" he asked. "I keep hearing your phone buzz."

He had incredible hearing, because I hadn't heard it since we started warming up.

I shook my head. "It's fine."

A slight smirk twisted his lips. "All right, let's crank this session up, then."

Before he could say anything more, someone called his name. They needed help resetting a machine.

"Change of plans," he said, guiding me over to a treadmill. "How about you enjoy a jog while I help them with that finicky machine? I'll be right back," he said, leaving me to start my jog on my own.

As I adjusted the settings and began a slow jog, I felt my body relax into the motion. I focused on my breathing, the steady beat of my feet on the treadmill, and the music playing over the gym's speakers.

Until someone called my name.

I glanced toward the front of the gym and spotted Alex storming toward me. He was dressed in his regular clothes, which made him look out of place, but he didn't seem to care. Anger contorted his face, and his eyes were dark. My heart dropped to my toes as I slowed the treadmill to a stop, all too aware of the attention we were drawing.

"This isn't the place, Alex," I insisted, trying to keep my voice calm when he reached me. "I said I'd talk to you another time."

"I don't give a shit! You think you can just decide to pay a fraction of what I'm asking for? You know how much I need that money. I've already told you about my business deal falling through," he seethed. "You're being ridiculous."

I felt the eyes of everyone in the gym on us now.

"Alex, please, this is not the time or place for this," I hissed, stepping off the treadmill.

"Then when is? You're either shutting me down or ignoring my calls and messages all together," he continued, his voice rising with each word.

"She's already told you—this isn't the place for this kind of discussion," Daxton said to Alex, suddenly standing directly beside me.

There was a momentary standstill between the two men, and I saw Alex's shoulders tense as if he wanted to argue further, but something in Daxton's stance and expression made him think again. However, the tension was palpable, and for a moment, I worried the situation might escalate. Alex had never been one to fight someone, but then again, I'd never seen him go into a blind rage in public and yell at me either.

"You need to leave. Now. This is not the way to handle whatever issue you have," Daxton said, his voice low but clear.

With a final glare in my direction, Alex turned and stormed out of the gym, muttering under his breath. The tension in the air dissipated after he left, and I let out a slow breath.

I turned to Daxton, my heart still racing from the confrontation. "I'm so sorry about that," I said. "Thanks for stepping in."

"Always," he said, and I got the impression from the way he looked at me that there was a deeper meaning behind his reply. "You don't have anything to apologize for. That wasn't your fault," he reassured me, his hands briefly touching my shoulders.

An electric current sparked to life beneath my skin, and I swore he felt it too.

"Are you okay?" he asked, dropping his hands to his sides.

I nodded, even though I still felt shaken. "Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks."

"Ready to continue our session?" he asked, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

I nodded, realizing the other gym-goers had returned to their routines. Gratitude for Daxton's intervention filled me. He'd not only diffused the situation, but he'd also offered me a sense of safety and support that I hadn't realized I'd needed.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked again, his voice laced with concern.

"I'm fine," I replied, trying to muster a reassuring smile. I hesitated for a moment before getting back on the treadmill. "Let's get back to it."

"All right," he said. "Just a few minutes here to get you limbered up again, then we'll move on."

It wasn't long before the rhythm of my sneakers hitting against the treadmill had me calm again. Once I was warmed up, Daxton guided me through a series of exercises. We did a few sets of lunges, which I was getting better at, followed by some free weights for arm strength, and finally a few core exercises on the mat. I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting back to Alex's angry face and his harsh words.

I'd never seen him so mad.

"Focus on your breathing. You've got this," Daxton said, pulling me back to the present again. "Keep your eyes on me; that's it."

I did two more and then collapsed on the mat, not caring that I looked like a drowned rat. Sweat dripped from me as I struggled to catch my breath.

"And we're done," he said. "How do you feel?"

"Like I won't be able to move tomorrow," I said.

He chuckled. "Good. That's what we're going for. Ever heard the saying, no pain, no gain?"

"Yup, and I'm definitely feeling the pain part."

"The gain will come," he said. "Grab some water."

I rolled over to my side and attempted to shove myself into a sitting position without using my abs, because they felt as though they were on fire. Grabbing my water bottle, I downed a few gulps, knowing I didn't look the least bit attractive while doing so.

"Can I walk you to your car?" Daxton asked, surprising me.

It was a sweet gesture, but also a welcome one. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been worried Alex might be waiting for me in the parking lot.

"Sure, thanks," I said, holding his stare.

I got to my feet and reached for my bag, but Daxton beat me to it. He hoisted it over his shoulder and motioned for me to lead the way.

"Thanks for offering to walk me out," I said, as we made our way through the double doors. "I'm right there." I pointed to my car in one of the first few parking spots.

"No problem. After the scene your ex caused, I wouldn't be able to think straight if I hadn't."

I glanced around at the mention of Alex. "Thankfully, I don't see him anywhere."

"Good," Daxton muttered.

I climbed into my car, offering him a small, tired smile. "I'll see you at our next session tomorrow night. Same time?"

In all the hoopla, I hadn't thought about booking tomorrow night's session with him.

"Looking forward to it," he said with a wink, before opening my back door and setting my bag inside. "Already got you down."

"Thanks." I cranked my car to life as he stepped back and gave him a little wave before pulling out.

On the drive home, my mind replayed everything that happened at the gym—the confrontation with Alex, Daxton's intervention and his calming presence, our workout, and the way he'd sweetly asked if he could walk me to my car. There was a mix of emotions flitting through me, but as I pulled up to my place, I easily settled on one—worry.

What if Alex was waiting for me here?

While I didn't see his vehicle anywhere, that didn't mean he wasn't lurking somewhere. I cut the engine on my car and stared into the front windows of my place. It didn't look like Alex was peeking out at me from any of the rooms.

Why was I so scared of him, anyway?

It wasn't like he'd ever been violent with me. We'd argued many times before, but he'd never physically hurt me. Alex wasn't that guy, and I wasn't sure why I'd suddenly made him out to be in my head. He was stressed about the sudden failure of one of his business endeavors.

Alex always grew irritable when he was stressed about work, which was often. However, that wasn't the reason I'd ended things with him; it was because he couldn't envision himself marrying me. I'd spent years with someone who never wanted to make me his wife.

The realization had been a sucker punch to the gut, and I'd ended things shortly after.

Releasing a breath, I climbed out of my car and headed inside. Then, I called Adara to tell her about my crazy night.