Love Left Behind Read Online Free PDF Page A

laughing.
"You really are a good actor. I'm not sure whether to be flattered or
suspicious. If this is your tactic for getting new clients, you must be an
awfully popular trainer."
    "Come see for
yourself. Peak Fitness is just over on 2nd Avenue between 12th and 13th Street.
I work most weekday evenings except Friday, and some Saturday and Sunday
afternoons."
    Jackson pulled his cell
phone from his pocket. "Give me your number. I can text you my
schedule."
    "Um, okay," I
said, unsure whether Jackson was being friendly or if he was interested in me.
Although I had told myself that I wasn't looking for a relationship right now,
I wasn't dumb enough to pass on someone like Jackson. He was funny and
gorgeous. You didn't meet funny and gorgeous guys who took an interest in you
every day. Besides, who said it had to be something serious? I had just come
out of a ten-year relationship. This could just be something fun.
    Besides, maybe he was just being friendly. I didn't want
to embarrass myself by protesting when all he wanted to be was my friend. Or my
new trainer.
    After Jackson
programmed my number into his phone, he started reciting his. I quickly fumbled
for my phone in my purse to enter his number.
    "R-e-y-n-a-r-d."
    "What?" I had
no idea why Jackson was spelling.
    "My last name. To
put in your phone."
    I laughed. "Are
you always this forward with giving out your phone number?"
    Jackson grinned.
"I'm always available for my clients. That's how dedicated I am to my
job."
    Before I could answer,
Claire, Nathan and Mia filed back in. I saw Claire give Jackson and I an
assessing look, and I had to squelch the compulsion to quickly stuff my cell
phone back into my purse. It hadn't seemed as though there was anything going
on between Claire and Jackson, but I made a mental note to ask her about it later.
The last thing I wanted to do was tread on her territory.
    Nathan took a long swig
of the fresh beer Maggie had set down on the table while they were gone.
    "So what have you
two been talking about?" Claire asked as she took a more delicate sip of
her own beer.
    "Jackson was
telling me about being a trainer," I replied. "Actually, he was
trying to convince me to become one of his clients. He doesn't realize that my
definition of working out is pressing the buttons on a TV remote."
    Mia laughed.
"Jackson is in high demand as a trainer. You should see the gaggle of
women that gawk at him while he's working out."
    "Now, Mia,"
Jackson lectured playfully. "You're going to give Emma the wrong idea. I'm
a dedicated trainer that would never take advantage of potential clients."
    "Riiight,"
Mia said sarcastically. "And I actually think that fuchsia is a color that
works on everyone. That's at least what I tell everyone when they come to my
make-up counter."
    "Jackson is a really good trainer," Claire
said. "If you're going to hire a trainer, he's a good choice. He's helped
me a lot with strengthening and elongating my muscles."
    Maybe I had just
imagined Claire's earlier look. She didn't seem perturbed at all by the thought
of Jackson being my trainer.
    "Hold on," I
said. "I'm not planning on getting a trainer. I'm not even planning on
joining a gym. Not anytime soon, at least. I have to work on getting a paycheck
before I start spending it, even if it's for an amazing trainer with clients
chasing after him."
    Jackson gave me a
dazzling smile. I started to question whether the second beer was a good idea.
I felt a little woozy looking at Jackson's smile and I was sure the alcohol had
something to do with it.
    "Remember, the
first few sessions are free, and I can get you a free trial membership at the
gym for a couple of weeks."
    "We'll see,"
I replied with a noncommittal smile. I checked my watch and frowned at the
time. As much as I had enjoyed meeting Claire's friends, my first day of work
was looming over me and I hadn't unpacked. The last thing I wanted was to be
unprepared for tomorrow.
    "I should get
going. I haven't unpacked and I