Jee- Louise, my heart could not deal. Guys like Reed did not take girls like me to coffee and send sweet text messages two seconds after. I sat in my car rereading the message over and over again.

Should I text back? My experience with flirting was minimal. Should I try for something witty or just keep it simple? Where was Noel when I needed her? Scratch that, she'd have me sending cleavage shots.

Me: Thank you for inviting me. I had a nice time.

When I hit send, I felt like a total loser. I wished I’d paid more attention to Noel when she flirted with guys. I shoved my phone in my purse and made my way up to my apartment. I dropped my purse on the couch and headed straight to my on suite bathroom. I needed a shower STAT.

I lathered up with my favorite body wash. My mind drifted to Reed. He’d been so sweet all day holding doors open and buying my coffee. His parting text message was the icing on the cake. My thoughts drifted to his body and handsome face. My hands wandered my body seeking a much-needed release.

***

Wrapped in my hot pink bathrobe I made my way to the couch. I had settled on an old episode of Jersey Shore, don't judge me, it's a guilty pleasure, when my phone started buzzing in my purse. I fished it out and when I saw the name on the caller ID, I almost sent it to voicemail.

"Who is this?" I answered knowing full well who it was.

“I'm sorry Penn.”

"Don't Penn me. This could not be my best friend. No, my best friend was supposed to meet me today at nine am for a torture session."

"Penn, I'm sorry. I went home with James last night. We had a long night... and morning."

"Good grief Noel, you don't even know the guy."

"I know that he knows how to please a woman. That's all I need to know."

My eyes rolled.

"So did you go through with the session? If not maybe we can reschedule."

"Yes, I went through with the stupid session. I didn't want to be rude and waste his time."

"How'd it go?"

"It went ok. We did some weights and then the elliptical."

I debated telling her about the coffee after the stunt she pulled, but I needed someone to talk to about everything.

"He asked me to coffee after we were done."

“He what?”

"Eardrums, loud mouth."

"Sorry, but this is exciting. Are you going to go? You have to. He is super sexy."

"I did go."

"Eeeek! You went on a date with him? Tell me everything."

"There isn't much to tell. We had coffee then he asked for my number."

"Oh my gosh, he totally has a thing for you! Girl, you better get it!"

Noel’s voice was hitting high notes I didn’t know she was capable of.

"He is not into me. He just wants to get me to sign on as a client."

"Nope, men don't ask you to coffee or for your number if they aren't interested."

"Whatever, I have to go."

"Fine, but this conversation is far from over. I checked and there is Zumba class Monday night at seven. Be there. Love you."

"Love you too even if you stood me up."

I slept in on Sunday morning. Sundays were bittersweet. Not because it was the beginning of the end of the weekend, but because it was Sunday dinner at my parent's house. I tried my best to get out of it as often as possible, but this week I hadn't managed my escape.

At two-thirty I dragged myself out the front door and to my car. I knew if I wasn't there at three p.m. sharp that I would never hear the end of it. My mom liked to have an early dinner on Sunday and she didn't tolerate anyone being late.

I arrived at my parent's house at two-fifty-five. Just in the nick of time although I knew my mom would still be mad I cut it so close. I didn't bother knocking. My brother Cameron was sitting in the living room with my dad watching something on ESPN.

"Hey dad."

I leaned over the back of my dad's favorite recliner to hug him and place a kiss on his cheek.

"Hey, Henny Penny. How's my girl doing?"

"I'm doing good. Busy with work as usual."

"What's up, Cam?"

"Nothing much, here for a free home cooked meal."

No surprise there. My brother was a self-proclaimed lifetime bachelor. I would never tell him, but I knew he would fall one day. When he did, it would be hard and fast.

"Dinner's ready!" My mom called from the kitchen.

I braced myself for the upcoming hour or so. My mom was a great cook, but no food was worth the headache I left with every time I went.

The dinner started out fine. My brother talked about work and an upcoming trip he was taking with his friends. My dad talked about a car he was fixing up. Then the conversation spun to me.

"Penelope, have you talked to Alec?"

"Why would I have talked to him?"

"You two dated for a long time. I thought maybe at least you still kept in touch on Facebook or something."

"No mother, I haven't talked to Alec since we split. I have nothing to say to him."

"That's such a shame. I think you two could work it out if you gave it a chance."

I had a death grip on the fork in my hand. My appetite vanished.

"There’s nothing to work out mother. I don't love him, and he clearly didn't love me."

"Love can grow dear."

"Not with his kind of love."

I made quotation marks with my fingers around love. Loving every woman he laid eyes on.

"He was young. Young men have big sexual appetites. He would settle down eventually."

Dear Lord, did my mother just say sexual appetite?

I had to get the hell out of there and fast.

"Okay, well it’s been fun, but I have to go. I have a lot of meetings tomorrow and I want to go over my presentations."

That was only partially a lie.

"Penelope, sit down and finish your dinner."

"Oh, I'm finished. Thank you for having me."

I shot my brother a look of good luck and booked it to the front door. I could only take my mother in small doses and I had hit my limit for the week.

***

I was laying on my couch with one of my latest book boyfriends when my phone vibrated.

Reed: Hey, hope you're having a great Sunday.

I was not expecting to hear from him, especially not so soon. I couldn't help the fluttering feeling in my stomach.

Me: Hey, It had a rocky start, but it got better. How about yours?

Reed: It's been nice. Just been relaxing and recharging.  

Before I had a change to reply another message popped up.

Reed: I couldn't get you off my mind.

I squealed like a schoolgirl. Not my proudest moment but, hey.

Me: Really?

Good one Penelope, so smooth.

Reed: Yep, I had a great time with you both training and having coffee.

Me: I had a nice time too.

Reed: Will I be seeing you at the gym again soon?

Me: Noel and I are supposed to do Zumba tomorrow. That’s if she doesn't flake on me again.

Reed: Great, I'll be sure to be there.

I didn't know what else to say to that so I decided not to text back. I put my kindle down. There was no way any book could compare to Reed.

Monday came, and I had non-stop meetings. By the time I left work the last thing I wanted to do was go to Zumba. I knew I needed to though. I had also given some thought to personal training and decided I would give it a try. I planned on talking to Reed about it after class.

When I got to the gym Noel, and I went straight to the room where Zumba was held. We stood in the middle of the room. Close enough to see the instructor, but not in the very front. Music began to beat through the speakers. The instructor was yelling out counts and moves as we attempted to follow along. The songs ranged from upbeat hip-hop to authentic Latin hits. I got lost in the music and the movement of my body. I may have found my thing.

When the hour was over, we were dripping with sweat. I chugged my water while we exited the room. As soon as we were in the common area, I saw Reed waving from the front desk. The brunette from the other day was trying to get his attention, but his gaze was on me.

I grabbed Noel's arm, and we headed his way.

"Hey ladies, how'd you like Zumba?"

"I loved it!" I replied before Noel for a change.

She nodded in agreement. Her eyes  ping-ponged back and forth between Reed and I.

"Awesome, I'm happy you’re finding things that you like."

"I am. I also wanted to talk to you about the personal training."

"You decided to do it?" His voice sounded so hopeful.

"Yes, I want to give it a try and see how I like it for a while."

"I'm so glad to hear that. Would you want to go to dinner with me and we can work out the logistics?"

I could feel Noel's eyes on me staring holes into my head. I was afraid of an Alec repeat, but there was no denying I was attracted to Reed. I hadn't been this in tune with a man since Alec. I could keep it casual, nothing too serious. That way I could enjoy his company and not worry about getting hurt.

"Okay, I'd love to have dinner with you."

"Great, I'll call you later this week to set it up."

"Sounds good."

I couldn't wipe away the smile that formed on my face as we left.