Page 64 of Face Off With Fate

“You were about to.”

“How would you even know?”

“You’re doing the face.” I circled mine with the hand weight, nearly knocking myself out. Itzel made a small sound that wasn’t quite a laugh. “So are you, Itze. So don’t you start either. When I leave, y’all can start up with your chisme, but for now, we are all ignoring the subject.”

Ari stood, shaking her long hair that she wore hanging down her back. How did it not overstimulate her?

“And what subject is that? The way you stopped talking, got a glazed-over look in your eyes, and basically started drooling? And if I were to guess, it was over⁠—”

“What did I say about embracing denial?” I cut her off, setting the weights back down and leaning against the rack, needing the support.

Itzel’s eyes bounced between us, a small smile splayed on her face. This was how it’d always been. Ariella and I sparring like sisters, and Itzel letting us go until she felt the need to step in. Ever the peacekeeper.

“And what are we denying? The way you flirt with Monroe?”

I rounded on my cousin. “How did you know I flirt with him⁠—”

Shit.

A cocky smile graced her lips. “I didn’t until right now. Spill.”

“So what? It’s harmless. I’m good at flirting. It’s like a skill. It puts people at ease. I’ve done it a hundred times.” I crossed my arms, willing myself to believe my own bullshit excuses.

Ari tilted her head. “Ever done it with a client?”

Never.

I shrugged one shoulder. “I know where the line is. Just a little flirting here and there, and then we walk away as if nothing happened.”

The problem was that everyone else had been easy to walk away from. Gave me reasons to let them go.

Monroe kept drawing me in.

Itzel cleared her throat quietly. She’d pulled her knees up to her chest on the mat, chin resting on top of them, watching us. “Don’t worry, Chella, I won’t get any closer to him than I need to for a good photo.”

Some of the worry eased, and I cursed myself that what she said brought me relief.

I shouldn’t care.

“Thanks, Itze. But really, don’t worry about me.” I pushed off the rack. “So we’re agreed. The lunch, the exit, the photos. I’ll send you and Monroe a timeline tonight.”

Ari stood up and clapped once, slipping back into trainer mode. “Okay, since clearly you are going to live in denial-land, break’s over. Back to your spots.”

I dragged myself into position, glaring at the floor.

If this didn’t kill me, figuring out my jumbled feelings for Monroe just might.

TWENTY

MONROE

BROMANCE.

Sweat and rubber permeated the sticky air. Summer training was in full swing, with prospects at the facility all week. Even with the giant fans on full blast, the gym was stifling with so many bodies packed in.

“Let’s go, give me five more.”Ariella’s voice bounced off the metal walls, followed by a chorus of groans that had her smiling from ear to ear.

“She’s so hot when she’s telling people what to do,” Thatcher whispered from beside me, watching her run the fitness assessment portion of our combine.