The smile that broke out on his face was real and devastatingly gorgeous. I couldn't help but return his with one of my own. I really didn't want to encourage him, but his smile was contagious.

"Great, if you hold on just a second I'll go grab my wallet."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak actual words. He disappeared through the door behind the desk. A few minutes later he reappeared making his way toward me. He used his hand to guide me to the door. When we reached it he stepped in front of me and held it open.

"There's a coffee shop about two blocks from here. We could walk over if that's ok."

"That would be fine.'

We walked the short distance to the coffee shop in silence. It was a beautiful day for a walk. The sun was rising high in the sky. The leaves on the trees were starting to bloom after several months of the cold winter. The streets were still pretty quiet. Most people were likely still lazing around before they started their weekend.

Inside the shop I was hit with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods. Since I just had a personal training session I felt like it would be best to try something that wasn't full of sugar. I usually went for the good stuff with mocha and caramel.

By the time we got to the front of the line I had decided on some skinny something or other. Reed ordered a flat white. When the barista gave our total, I tried to swipe my card, but before I could Reed gently grabbed my hand and moved it away. With his other hand, he slid his card.

"I could have paid for my own," I grumbled.

"I don't doubt that, but I don't invite beautiful women to coffee and expect them to pay."

His green eyes stared straight into mine. I've never been good at taking compliments, and I squirmed under his intense gaze. I decided the best thing would be a subject change.

"So, where do you want to sit?"

His eyes never left mine.

"How about outside on their patio? It's gorgeous outside. Let's enjoy it."

"Okay," was all I could manage.

My mind was having trouble forming thoughts.

"How about you go find us a table and I'll bring out our drinks when they're ready?"

"Okay."

My extensive vocabulary strikes again.

I found a table that was a bit further away from any other customers and settled into a chair. The beat of my heart was erratic. Thoughts were racing through my mind. How should I act? What would we talk about? What were we even doing here?

It had been a long time since I’d done anything alone with a man. I wouldn't refer to this as a date. I was his client, sort of. Either way, this was the closest thing I’d had to a date in a long time.

A chair scraping against concrete shook me from my thoughts. Reed sat my drink down in front of me before settling into his chair.

"Thank you for joining me today."

His whole body looked relaxed. I, on the other hand, felt anything but relaxed.

"Oh, thank you for asking me."

"What did you think about the session today?"

"I thought it was challenging, but not quite as dreadful as some other things I've tried."

"Good, the thing about fitness is that you have to find your thing. Once you do, it doesn't even seem like something you have to do anymore. It becomes something you enjoy and want to do."

I let out a long breath. "I don't know if I'll ever get there, but I'm trying."

"I hope you will consider my offer. I would love to be your trainer."

"No promises, but I'll think about it."

"Enough about that, I want to know about you. Tell me about yourself, Penelope."

My name coming from his lips was possibly the sexiest thing I had ever heard.

"There isn't much to tell. What do you want to know?"

"Anything. Everything, but I guess start with the basics. What do you do for a living, favorite movies, types of music?"

"Well, I'm a web developer. The movie question is hard. I like all kinds of stuff. I love romance, 80's classics, and comedies. I love pretty much anything with Adam Sandler. Music I'm pretty open as well. The playlists on my phone have anything from rap, R&B, country, to boy bands."

Reed took a sip of his coffee while he mulled over what I said.

"Seems like you are a well-rounded lady. I have one very important question."

What the heck could he need to ask of importance after that? I nodded my head urging him to go on.

"What is your favorite Adam Sandler movie?"

I let out the breath I was holding and laughed.

"The Wedding Singer, no question about it!"

"Yes, I knew I liked you, Penelope! You have great taste."

"I take it you are a fan as well?"

"You better believe it."

"What about you? I know what you do for a living, but what about music and other movies?"

"Music I'm kind of like you. I like rap & R&B, mostly. I like comedies and action movies. I like a little scary every once in a while."

I stuck my tongue out at the mention of scary movies.

"What? You don't like scary movies?"

"Nope, I'm not a fan of being scared."

"I could hold you and keep you safe."

I almost spit the sip of coffee I’d just taken across the table. By luck or divine intervention I was able to choke it down, but not without a coughing fit.

"You okay?"

Reed's face was full of concern. If I wasn't mistaken, there was a shadow of a smirk. The big stinker knew what he was doing. Goodness knows I wouldn't have been opposed to having his strong arms wrapped around me. No woman in her right mind would turn that down.

"I'm fine," I replied after I was able to collect myself.

We continued talking about anything and everything. We had more in common than I would have expected. He was easy to talk to. I thought I would feel awkward with him being so good looking, but he was surprisingly easy going and down to earth. I was happy I changed my mind and decided to join him.

I looked at my phone to check the time. An hour had passed.

"Oh hey, it's been an hour. What time did you need to be back?

"I still have a half an hour until my next client, but guess I should head back and help out."

"Yeah, I should probably go home and shower."

And call Noel to tell her about herself. I didn't say that part out loud.

Back at the gym Reed walked me to my car.

"I enjoyed getting to know you better, Penelope."

He was standing mere inches from me and I tipped my head back to smile up at him.

"I had a nice time too."

He grabbed my hand.

"Penelope, I was hoping that I could have your phone number."

I was not expecting that. I knew he was a bit of a flirt, but I figured that that was just how he was.

"Sure, I guess so."

He let go of my hand and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. I rattled off the numbers.

"Awesome, thank you. I hope to see you again soon."

"You're welcome. I'm sure you’ll see me at the gym. There’s no way Noel is going to let me give it up."

I climbed into my car and with one last wave, I was off. When I got home, I pulled out my phone to call Noel. There was an unopened text. I slid my finger over the screen to open it.

Reed: Thank you for having coffee with me. I couldn't think of a better way to start my weekend.