Page 87 of Shamed
“I don’t.”
“Is she one of your other clients, then?” Zach asks, shamelessly checking her out. “I haven’t seen her before.”
Annoyed, I step in front of him to block his view. “No. She’s just . . .”A woman from my past who was assaulted by my friend, who now works as an exotic dancer, even though I can tell she doesn’t like it, and what started as me helping her has now grown into having complicated feelings for her.“I was helping her with her form. And she’s too old for you, so stop looking.”
“You never stand that close to me when I’m working out.” His eyes sparkle with humor.
“I doubt your mom would appreciate it if I did.”
Jayne finishes her phone call and walks over to us before Zach can say anything else. Her forehead is bunched, frustration pressing her lips together.
“What’s wrong?”
“It was my landlord.” I knew that much, so I nod, waiting for more. “He said his guys found a few issues when they opened the ceiling and checked the roof.”
“Okay.” He better not try to make her pay for any of it. I widen my stance and fold my arms at the thought. “So, what’s the problem?”
Jayne huffs, looking almost panicky. “The problem is that it’s going to take longer than he thought, and I can’t go home while they’re doing the work.”
My muscles tense imperceptibly, and my brain sends out a warning, which I promptly ignore. A few extra days won’t kill me; I’ll just work out a little more. “I don’t see why that’s a problem.”
Her face turns incredulous. “I was only supposed to stay at your place for a few days, Mase. I need to figure out where to go tomorrow.”
I clear my throat, trying to hide my discomfort. Not because I don’t want her to stay, but because I do. “Why do you need to go anywhere?”
“Because” —she tugs at her sleeves— “it could be a few weeks. I can’t impose for that long.”
A few weeks. The sounds of the gym fade into the background as my pulse picks up. I was already struggling after just a couple of days. I assumed it would be just a couple more.
Even so, I know I’d never make her leave and figure it out on her own, even if she needed to stay for two months. Regardless of my personal struggles, I owe it to her to help.
“It’s not imposing.” I grab a wipe and start wiping the machine Jayne was just using to give my hands something to do. “I offered you a place to stay, and the offer stands. It’s no problem. We can stop by your place this week and pick up some more things if you need to.”
Cheeks still flushed from her mini workout, Jayne places her hands on her hips, contemplating, wanting to say no. I can see it in her eyes. “I’ll pay you some rent,” she finally says. When I ignore her, she keeps going. “And I’ll buy groceries this week.”
Tossing the wipe into the garbage, I stand to my full height in front of her. I have at least half a foot on her. “If it makes you feel better.”
Jayne blinks up at me with her stormy eyes, no fear there, just that same apprehension about accepting help. “Okay,” she finally concedes. “Thank you.”
My tone is soft when I answer. “You’re welcome.”
This is about helping her, I remind myself.
“I should let you get back to work now.” She takes a step back, lips curving ever so slightly. “Oh.” She pauses before turning around. “I also made you dinner, so you don’t have to cook when you get home. I left it in the microwave for you.”
“You did?”
She dips her chin. “I’ll see you later?”
“I’ll be waiting.” I watch her drift away toward the next machine I suggested, freeing her hair and refastening it as she goes.
“So, you were just helping her with her form, huh?” Zach pipes up from behind me.
Eyes fluttering closed, I sigh. I forgot the smart-ass was still here. Turning around, I face Zach’s shit-eating grin.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Mase
