003

MIA

The private room felt smaller once the door closed behind us. Soft light came from the ceiling panels, and the mirrors on the far wall reflected every movement. I stood near the mat with my arms crossed, trying not to look at myself.

Jake walked over to the first machine and rested one hand on the padded seat.

“We’ll start simple today,” he said. “Nothing heavy. I just want you to learn the equipment so you feel comfortable next time.”

I nodded. My voice still felt stuck somewhere in my throat.

He gestured for me to sit. I lowered myself onto the seat, careful not to meet his eyes for too long. Jake crouched beside me and adjusted the pin on the weight stack.

“Hands here,” he said, guiding my fingers to the handles. His palms were warm and steady against the back of my hands. “Keep your back straight. Pull the bar toward your chest, then let it go slow. Don’t rush.”

I did as he said. The movement felt awkward at first. My arms shook a little even though the weight was light.

“Good,” he murmured. “Again. Breathe out when you pull.”

I focused on the rhythm. Pull. Release. Pull. Release. Jake stayed close, watching my form. Every time my shoulders rounded, he reached over and gently pressed them back into place. His touch never lingered longer than it needed to, but each time his fingers brushed my skin I felt a small jolt under my ribs.

We moved to the next machine. Leg press. I sat down and placed my feet on the platform the way he showed me. Jake stood at my side and checked the angle of my knees.

“Push through your heels,” he said. “Not your toes. Slow and controlled.”

I pushed. The platform moved. My thighs burned almost immediately.

“That’s enough for now,” he said after a few reps. “We’ll build up.”

I was still catching my breath when the door opened without a knock.

A woman stepped in. Tall, slim, wearing a matching black workout set that hugged every line of her body. Her hair was pulled into a perfect high ponytail. She looked like she belonged on a magazine cover.

“Jake!” she said, smiling wide.

Before he could answer, she walked straight up to him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed his cheek. The kiss landed soft and familiar, right near the corner of his mouth. Her body pressed against his for a second longer than a normal thank-you hug.

“I just wanted to say thanks again for last week,” she said, still close. “My form feels so much better.”

Jake gave a small nod. “Glad it helped, Sophie.”

I sat frozen on the leg press, hands still on my thighs. The whole thing lasted maybe ten seconds, but it felt longer. Sophie glanced at me once, gave a polite little smile, then looked back at Jake.

“I’ll see you Thursday?” she asked.

“Yeah. Same time.”

She left, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

Silence filled the room again.

Jake turned back to me like nothing had happened. “Ready for the next one?”

I stood up slowly. My face felt hot. I wiped my palms on my leggings even though they weren’t really sweaty.

“Yeah,” I said. “Sure.”

We moved to the cable machine. Jake demonstrated the movement first, then stepped aside so I could try. His hands came up to correct my elbows, steady and professional. I kept my eyes on the mirror in front of me, but all I could see was the way Sophie had kissed him. So easy. So natural.

The rest of the session passed in a quiet blur. Jake explained each exercise in the same calm voice. I followed every instruction. My body worked, but my mind stayed stuck on that short moment by the door.

When we finished, I sat on the edge of the bench and drank from my water bottle. Jake wiped down the machines we had used. The room felt too quiet.

I spoke before I could stop myself.

“You never bring anyone like her to the house.”

Jake paused with the towel in his hand. He looked at me, eyebrows slightly drawn together.

“What?”

I kept my gaze on the floor. “Sophie. You never bring anyone like her to family dinners. Or… anywhere.”

He was quiet for a second. Then he set the towel down and leaned against the wall, arms loosely crossed.

“She’s just a member,” he said. “Same as you.”

The words were simple. Casual. Like the answer should have been obvious.

I looked up at him. He didn’t seem defensive or amused. Just matter-of-fact.

“Same as me,” I repeated, almost under my breath.

Jake nodded once. “Yeah. She trains here. That’s it.”

I didn’t know why the answer unsettled me more than the kiss itself. Maybe because he said it so easily. Maybe because he put me in the same category without hesitation. Member. Client. Nothing more.

I stood up and reached for my bag. “I should go. Ryan will be waiting.”

Jake pushed off the wall. “You did good today, Mia. Better than you think.”

I forced a small smile. “Thanks.”

He walked me to the door and opened it. The main gym noise drifted in—music, weights clanking, distant voices. I stepped out into the brighter light and kept my eyes down so I wouldn’t have to look at anyone.

Behind me, Jake’s voice followed, quiet but clear.

“Same time Thursday?”

I nodded without turning around. “Okay.”

I walked through the gym and out into the parking lot. Ryan’s car was already there, engine running. I opened the passenger door and slid in.

He didn’t ask anything. He just pulled out of the lot and headed home.

I stared out the window the whole way, replaying Jake’s voice in my head.

She’s just a member. Same as you.

The words sat heavier than they should have.