Chapter Two
“Susan, there’s someone here to see you,” Angela said.
Mrs. Jackson had just finished weighing in at one hundred fifty-five pounds and was sitting down for her consultation with me when Angela, my assistant manager, stuck her head through the doorway with the announcement.
“And that someone is a hot guy,” she said, making fanning motions with her hands as if to cool herself off.
I frowned and shot her a reproving look. I turned to Mrs. Jackson and said, “Excuse me. I’ll only be a moment. It’s probably a salesman. Let me see what he’s selling, and I’ll be right back.”
Slimmers Weight Loss was in a professional building on the east side of Carbide City. The company catered to women only, so it was somewhat unusual for a man to come into the center. It was even more unusual for someone to ask for me by name.
My greeting to him was abrupt as I asked, “What are you doing here?” I grabbed him by the arm and ushered him out of the center and into the hallway. “You can’t be in here, and I’m working. How did you know where I worked? If you wanted to talk to me, why didn’t you come to the club?” I was noticeably agitated.
His smile faded, and I could see he was distressed at causing me discomfort.
“Susan, I’m sorry,” he said apologetically. “I asked Husky where I could find you, and he told me. I haven’t had an evening free to go to the club, and I had to see you again.” He lightly grasped both of my arms, looked into my eyes and said, “I can’t get you out of my mind.” He paused for a moment before saying, “Not that I’m trying.”
My knees went weak. I tried to say something, but no words came out.
“I have tickets to Smokey Joe’s Café at the Carbide Dinner Theater for Saturday night,” he said. “Come with me. I want to see you again.” His smiling eyes were back, and so was my voice.
“Ok?” It came out as more of a question than an answer. I tried again and said, “I’d like that.”
He let out a chuckle. “How about if I pick you up at the club? Say, around six thirty?”
“Perfect,” I squeaked.
He smiled, squeezed my arms lightly before letting them go, and turned to walk down the hallway. I took a few seconds to watch him walk away before gathering my composure and dashing back into the center. I leaned against the wall.
“Who was that?” Angela asked excitedly. “I told you he was hot.”
My knees were still weak, but I was happy he had stopped by to ask me out. I especially appreciated that he hadn’t tried to force his way to my apartment to see where I lived but had chosen a safe, neutral meeting place for our first date by suggesting the club. I made my way back to Mrs. Jackson to finish her consultation.
“Is everything all right?” she asked. “You look a little flushed.”
“Everything is fine, Mrs. Jackson, and you are down another two pounds this week. Let’s take a look at your food journal.”