Straining against the weight machine, she could feel the workout burn in her legs. Glad to be back in the gym again, she decided to really give herself a good workout. She had gotten lazy over the holidays and it was showing in the way her clothes fit. No, she hadn't gotten grossly overweight, but knew that if she didn't start now, she would continue to get lazy. This was her resolution for the new year, to get back into the gym and tone up.
Moving to the next machine, she worked on her abs, knowing that was her problem area. She liked coming to the gym, and it was one of her perks at work. She had a key and could come anytime she liked. She especially liked the idea of being alone when she worked out. She knew the custodian stayed late some nights, but this wasn't one of them. She finished the last machine then decided to reward herself with a few minutes in the steam room.
Slipping a towel around her neck, she headed to the sauna. As she moved across the gym floor, she thought she heard a noise. She paused in her stride, but didn't hear anything. "Damn, getting paranoid" she thought to herself. Moving into the sauna, she sat down and relaxed against the wall. Closing her eyes, she forced herself to let her mind stop thinking about her day or the next day, she was just enjoying the moment.
She nodded off for just a moment and was startled to notice someone walking into the sauna. She recognized him as being in upper management and assumed he had no idea who she was. She smiled politely and closed her eyes once again. He cleared his throat and said, "don't I know you?" Opening her eyes, she replied that she was an administrator in payroll on the fourth floor. He nodded and said that's who he thought she was. He introduced himself to her and she shook his hand. His grip was that of a man that was used to shaking hands with all types of people, and she liked the softness yet strength in it.
They began talking, telling one another about themselves, she leaving out the fact that she was single and he not mentioning his status either. Soon they both realized that they had been in the sauna longer than they really should have and he asked if she had any plans for afterwards. Nodding in the negative, he suggested that they have a drink at the local bar and she decided that would be a great idea.
"Let me grab a quick shower and I'll meet you in the lobby when I finish" she said with a quick smile.
He laughed that a shower might be a good idea for him as well. She trotted toward the women's locker room and he headed to the men's. Twenty minutes later she was walking to him in the lobby, her hair in a ponytail, since she decided she should be quick. She watched as his eyes travelled the length of her and he raised his eyes to smile at her.
"Your car or mine?" he asked.
She told him she would just follow him so he wouldn't have to drive her back. He pulled out of the parking lot and headed to the bar, with her right behind. He stepped to her car and opened the door, helping her out. Following her to the bar, they stepped inside and were immediately seated in a corner booth. He asked what she liked to drink and she told him that she'd like a long island iced tea. He called over a barmaid to order her drink, choosing a jack and coke for himself. Once again he began talking about what his interests were and inquired about hers.
Their conversation flowed, just like the drinks, and without really realizing it, they were only one of maybe three couples in the bar at closing time. He motioned for the waitress and she brought the ticket. He picked up the check and left her a nice tip, then offered her his hand to rise from the booth.
