"Like what you see?"
At first I don't even realize he's addressing me. I hadn't realized that I was staring, really--hadn't even considered the idea. Perhaps I was never exactly Monogamist of the Year, but harmless one-time hookups on business trips every few years doesn't put me in the Mae West category either. Up until he introduced himself I was living in denial: of my total lack of interest in my husband, of his disinterest in me, and of the disappearance of our sex life. I wouldn't have admitted that each skirt I bought had a higher hemline, or that the stares the scandalous outfits got were the most rewarding sexual interaction I would have for weeks at a time.
More relevant to his question--I wouldn't have confessed that my religious gym attendance was partly to keep my butt toned for young men's roving eyes and partly to enjoy a vista populated by sweaty, muscled, half-naked 25 year old men.
I came to terms with all of this rather abruptly in trying to reply. Had I been watching him? Probably. Obviously? He seems to think so. Maybe he's just outgoing, maybe it's entirely innocent and I'd missed what he's referring to.
He smiles at me from behind a drop of sweat about to fall from the tip of his nose. I waste more time thinking that he has cute sweat, and then a few more seconds questioning whether it's possible for sweat to fall in a sexually appealing manner. All sweat falls at the same speed, why am I fascinated by his?
I get back on track for a second:
"I'm Gina." Doesn't exactly answer the question but he got the idea.
I can flirt, I swear, but for now I just say my name and promptly drop the towel I'm holding. I duck and blush, swatting post-treadmill stray hairs back into line. As I stand again, his fingertips find my forearm as he laughs.
"I'm Alan." Assorted witty banter on his part follows. Every ten seconds I repeat:
"I'm sorry, but I'm married and I should really go now, nice to meet you."
Actually that only happens inside my head. I'm not sure what I'm actually saying but the room gets a bit hazy, possibly twirling a bit, accompanied by my slight dizziness and weakness in the knees. His smile is the only stationary thing so I stare at it, only to keep my balance, not because I'm falling totally in lust with him or anything.