Forgiven by J. B. McGee

that.
    He seems to, at the very least, maintain professionalism. I wonder if he’s the manager as I see him walk to several other tables. I assume he’s asking if everything is good with them. I’ve watched Joe do this for years. Maybe he’s even the owner. I don’t get how anyone could run a successful business eyeing college girls the way he just did my fiancée.
    After about an hour, I watch as Gabby packs her things and throws away her trash. She stands and talks to Emmi for a few minutes with her bag on her shoulder. As they start to walk to the door, I realize I have to leave before she sees me. I slowly ease out of the parking lot watching through my rearview mirror until Gabby is in her car. I hang back as long as I can without losing her. If I’ve done this much, I might as well follow her and see if she makes her way home without any detours. I laugh out loud as I think to myself, if the architecture business ever falls flat, you can always fall back on private investigation.
    It’s definitely a challenge to hang with her, but not to lose her. I have become a sweaty mess. One thing I didn’t anticipate is that Gabby wouldn’t go home, but rather to my office. Shit. What the hell is she doing?
    I rush to get Sharon’s car parked and race to the gym. I quickly change into my gym clothes and make my way to the treadmill. I realize I need to call Sharon and fill her in and frantically dial her number. This whole ordeal has been quite the workout, but I guess I’ll run a little bit to look the part.
    “Mr. Banks,” Sharon says disapprovingly. She had already told me that this was a bad idea.
    “Gabby is on her way up to my office. If I don’t make it back to you because of this hiccup in my plan, I’ll have your keys waiting for you in my locker.” I put the phone on the treadmill and turn it on speaker. “Can you send her to the gym when she gets there?”
    “No problem. Mr. Banks?”
    “Yeah?”
    She hesitates, “Never mind. It’s not my place.”
    “Your place?” She breathes into the phone and I can tell something is bothering her, but I don’t have time for this right now. “What is it, Sharon?”
    “This isn’t the way to start a marriage. You shouldn’t be following --”
    “I know, Sharon --”
    I am almost pissed that she cut me off, but then it becomes perfectly clear why she did. “Hi Miss Gerhart. Are you looking for Mr. Banks?”
    “Damn, I hope she didn’t hear you,” I whisper. Then I realize it’s not like Gabby can hear me so why would I need to whisper? “Thank you for the heads up. Remember keys in the locker.”
    “Yes.” Sharon politely tells her. “He’s in the gym”
    I increase the speed on the treadmill to a level that requires me to sprint. I know how long it takes to get down here. I need to be sweating more than this when she gets here.

As good of shape as I’m in, I feel like I’m about to die on the treadmill. I slow the speed down right as Gabby is walking in the door. I smile at my perfect timing. Screw cool down time, I can’t wait to get my hands on her. I cut the power and hop off grabbing a towel.
    “Hey you. Did you come to work out with me?”
    She shrugs and smiles that shy smile. “No. I thought you usually worked out later.”
    “I needed some stress relief.”
    “Oh. I just missed you and wanted to surprise you.”
    I use the towel to wipe the beads of sweat from my face and toss it into the dirty linen’s bin. I reach my arms around her and pull her into my body. Her hair is in a ponytail. She has no idea how sexy I think she looks with her hair like that. There are little tendrils that have fallen down and frame her face and neck. I bury my face into her neck and inhale her sweet scent.
    Mmm. It intoxicates me, totally consuming me. I start nibbling her neck wanting to completely get lost in her. I never thought I would miss our meet-in-the-middle dates. I don’t miss the distance. I miss the impulsivity, and our hungry desire