Chapter 7

Mark

Mark inclines the treadmill one more level. His leg muscles and lungs scream, but he has a lot of energy to work off this morning.

Last night had felt like a dream. She's the first girl he's dated in a long, long time, and he likes her. A lot. He has every intention of repeating last night, of seeing her again, but he could tell that she was a little nervous about where they were headed when she climbed out of the car.

He wanted to text her last night but refrained from doing so. He doesn't want to seem like the pushy type, and he wants to give her some time to process dating and their kiss before he has another conversation with her.

On the other treadmill beside him, Sean runs at a slower pace. He keeps sneaking glances Mark's way, and Mark hasn't failed to notice. Mark expected the questions to happen, but he thought they'd happen when they were done with their run and had moved on to lifting. So when Sean asks, "Okay, what is it?" Mark nearly trips on the belt.

"What do you mean?"

"You're in your own head today. You've barely said three words, and one of them was hello."

With the towel draped over his shoulder, Mark wipes the sweat from his brow. How much does he tell Sean? The guy who has been pushing him to have a girl on his arm for months now? "I met someone."

Sean whips his head to the side and stares at Mark's profile. "What's that supposed to mean? Like, you fucked someone, or you met someone."

Mark rolls his eyes. "Why does everything have to do with sex?"

"So the second option then," Sean murmurs. "Is she hot?"

"Yes. And before you start, back off. She's not your type."

Holding up his hands, Sean asks, "What's my type then, Romeo?"

"Big tits, fake personality, and daddy issues."

An undignified snort comes from Sean's nose. "I resent that. But you're probably not wrong."

"I'm not."

"So, what's she look like?"

"None of your business," he snaps.

"So testy." Sean tsks. "She must be one hell of a girl."

Mark lowers the incline and slows his pace so that he's not huffing and puffing so hard that he can barely speak. "She is."

"Does she work in the office?"

"No, thank god."

"How'd you meet?"

Mark grins and tells him the social media story. By the end of it, he's chuckling.

Sean whistles low and stops his treadmill. "That takes some serious balls."

"Exactly my thoughts," Mark admits as he stops his treadmill too. He hops off and wipes his face again.

As they head over to the lifting machines, Sean says, "So, you arrived at her place of work and asked her out and she just agreed?"

"Yeah, basically."

Sean whistles again. "Some serious balls. Are you going to take her out again?"

Stretching out his muscles, Mark admits, "Yes, if she's willing. I haven't heard from her since last night, but she doesn't have my number."

"So text her."

"So soon?"

Sean rolls his eyes and begins stretching with him. "If you don't text her, she'll think you're no longer interested."

Pulling his phone out of his back pocket, Mark stares at the screen. "Like, right now?"

"Yeah, dude. Why are you so nervous? It's just a chick."

"She's not just any girl," he says under his breath. To Sean, every girl seems like a piece of meat. He doesn't want to view Maria that way. She deserves better.

"Text her, man."

Mark twitches his nose, but types in his password. He pulls up his contacts and finds her name. Before he knows it, he's typing and pressing send.

Mark: Thought about you last night.

He starts to pocket his phone, but it immediately chirps. He frowns and looks at his watch. The sun isn't even up yet.

Maria: Oh yeah?

Mark: Did you think about me?

The reply is a little longer and he stares at the screen until the little three-dot bubble pops up.

Maria: I did, but don't go getting full of yourself.

He smiles and types his response.

Mark: You were thinking about the kiss, weren't you?

Maria: Maybe.

He chuckles under his breath as Sean begins to work out on the leg machine, watching him the entire time.

Mark: Do you want me to do it again?

Maria: Maybe.

"That stupid grin on your face is making me sick to my stomach," Sean grumbles.

"Shut up."

Mark: I think you want to. I think it blew your mind as much as it did mine.

Maria: Maybe

.

Mark laughs. It would seem that's all she's going to say.

Mark: You're blushing right now, aren't you?

Maria: Are you outside my window watching me get ready for work?

Mark: I wish I was.

Maria: Creepy.

Mark: But you like it.

Maria: I'm beginning to think you know me too well.

Mark: Is that such a bad thing?

The text comes a little slower this time.

Maria: No. I like it.

Mark: Good. Go out with me tonight.

Maria: Two nights in a row? I'm beginning to think you like me or something.

Mark: And what would you say if I agreed with you?

Maria: My cheeks can't possibly get any redder.

Sean hops off of the leg machine and heads to Mark. He peeks over his shoulder. "What are you two love birds saying to each other?"

Pressing the phone to his chest, he glares at his friend. "None of your business."

Sean shakes his head and heads to the next machine. "I have a feeling I'll be working out by myself today."

Mark: I think it's sexy when you blush.

Maria: I just think you're sexy in general.

Mark grins wide. He has a feeling that she would have never told him that in person. As brave as she is, she's shy when it comes to him. He likes that she's teasing him now, even though there's a screen between them and they're miles apart.

Mark: Go out with me tonight, Maria.

Maria: Okay. What time?

Mark: I'll pick you up when the sun goes down. Be ready.

Maria: Okay. Where are you taking me?

Mark: That's a secret.

Maria: You're not some serial killer are you?

Laughing out loud, Mark draws the eyes of everyone in the gym, but he pays no attention to them.

Mark: You know I'm not.

Maria: Stranger things have happened. What should I wear tonight?

Mark: Nothing fancy with a side of lace underwear.

He added that last bit on a whim. He's never been so brash with a girl before, but with Maria, all bets are off. His cock hardens just thinking about her wrapped up in lace, but does he expect her to wear it? No. He doesn't even expect to get laid, but he knows by saying those things to her, that she's blushing. He lives to make her blush. It's the most beautiful sight in the world to him.

Maria: I think you're trying to make my heart explode.

Mark: Wear whatever you want, beautiful girl. I'll see you when the sun goes down.

She doesn't respond, so he pockets his phone with a grin plastered on his face and heads to the weight-lifting machine next to Sean.

"And?" Sean asks with a grunt as he pulls the weights to his chest.

"Tonight."

"Good. Now wipe that stupid smile off your face and do something manly."