Page 48 of Charm and Conquer

She starts down the sidewalk in the direction of the diner and I walk along beside her. It's unfortunate that the only place inthe world I want to be right now is next to my enemy, but I can't deny how I feel about this woman any longer.

"Just so we're clear," she says as though she can hear my thoughts. "This is not a date. I do not now, nor will I ever, want a relationship with you, Asher Aldridge. So don't go getting any ridiculous romantic notions."

"Oh, I'm getting notions. I'm getting all the notions."

I almost laugh at her huff of annoyance, but I manage to hold back.

"I'll win you over yet, Clover Weston. I'll sneak into your heart so fast, you won't even realize it's happening until it's done."

We're crossing the parking lot to the diner when she spins to face me. "And if I do fall for you, Asher? How would that end? If you win the gym, I'll probably have to move to a city to get enough clients to support myself. If I get the gym, what will you do? Offer personal training out of your apartment?"

"I haven't really thought that far ahead. I just think when you find someone you like and want to get to know better, you should trust your gut."

She's shaking her head before I've finished talking. "You know what my gut says, Asher? It says I should use your attraction and interest against you. My gut says I should flirt more and tell you what you want to hear, so I can convince you to walk away from the gym." She pokes me in the chest and glares like she wants me to take her seriously. I don't want to, but she's making a decent point. "Not having a plan and forgetting who your enemy really is, that's how good people get scammed."

I realize she's talking about her father and how he scammed so many people. Did he scam her too? Did she trust him with her whole heart, only to realize he'd been using her like she was a tool and not a human being?

Without even really thinking about what I'm doing, I pull her into a hug. She goes stiff against me for several moments, but then she sighs and her body goes limp.

"It's okay," I say. "I'm not trying to play you or take advantage of you or use you. I just want to get to know you."

She shakes her head against my chest and, when she steps out of my arms, her hair is a mess. "I wish I could believe you, but nothing in life is that simple."

***

We aren't two steps inside the diner, Barley on a leash beside us, before someone shouts my name, and Ellery Green walks over to us.

Ellery is wearing a maxi dress in a rainbow of colors, her hair in two buns on the top of her head, her light eyes bright with energy.

Clover's hair is still a mess from our hug and she's looking from Ellery and back to me as I grin and wave at the petite powerhouse coming our way.

I freeze and nearly lose my balance when Clover laces her fingers through mine. Not being a total idiot, I grip her hand hard before she can change her mind and let go.

"Asher, you are just the person I need," Ellery says. "You and your friend have to come join us."

"Ellery Green," I say. "This is Clover Weston."

"His girlfriend," Clover says.

My heart flips like she just told me she wants to go back to my place and get naked right now.

Ellery's smile slips. "Oh, no. Am I interrupting a date? I know how hard it can be to get a quiet moment alone in a town this small." She waves a hand. "Forget I said anything."

"What do you need?" I ask. "Is it something that'll take less than five minutes?"

"No. Don't worry about it. I'm having breakfast with some friends and we're debating work out routines. I thought we could pick your brain, but it's nothing pressing. No worries. You two have fun."

"We can both help," Clover says before Ellery turns away. "I'm a fitness instructor and we'd love to join your party."

She tries to drop my hand, but I hold on tight. She might be ready to forget her jealousy in her quest for new clients, but I'm not about to.

Clover shoots me a glare as we follow Ellery over to a table where two drag queens sit, decked out in gorgeous finery. I recognize them from the drag story hour I've taken Harper to at the library when I've had the day off and Amelia had to work.

"Hey, y'all," Ellery says. "I went in search of more napkins and I found two fitness instructors to help us solve our debate."

I let go of Clover's hand to pull a chair up to the table. Clover slides into the booth next to Ellery. "I'm Clover Weston." Clover offers her hand to the two performers. "I'm a certified fitness instructor and offer all kinds of classes and personal training."

"Laura Leroy," the first performer offers Clover her hand.