Big Beautiful Little Read Free Page B

of an adorable girl obviously sensitive to the topic. He stalked back toward his office, knowing that he’d find his best friend behind him when he turned around. He was right.
    “You’re right.” Trey had his hands up as if calling for a truce. “That was low. And I know you aren’t like me. I know you like those thick girls.”
    “Yes, I do,” Lance said. “I do like those thick girls.”
    “So what happened?”
    “Somebody got to her before I did, apparently. Somebody who obviously didn’t appreciate her.” He walked into his office at the end of the hallway behind the reception area and headed for the mini fridge, where he pulled out two energy drinks. He tossed one to Trey, who caught it.
    “Don’t shut the door,” Lance told his friend. “I still need to keep an eye on the desk.”
    “So what the hell happened?” Trey asked.
    Lance plopped down in the chair and ran a hand through his thick black hair. He shook his head as he popped the top on the can. “I did something stupid.”
    “What?”
    “I complimented her right after asking for her card information.”
    Trey’s eyes widened. “Aaaahhh. Okay, okay. I gotcha. And she thought you were trying to butter her up for a full membership.”
    “Basically.”
    Trey cocked his head. “Were you?”
    “Of course not.” Lance’s gray eyes narrowed in irritation. “I was being sincere. Are you trying to piss me off?”
    “Nah.” His friend sat back in the chair opposite Lance. “I just still don’t get you, man. A whole stream of hard bodies coming in here day after day—all but begging you to get that pussy—and you never look twice at them. But when we go out your eyes always be following those chubby ladies. But even so, I ain’t never seen you run after one like you did today. Hell, I don’t think I ever even saw you run after Katrina, and I know you didn’t want her to go, either.”
    Lance turned his attention away from his friend at the mention of his ex-girlfriend. He could talk about it now, but for a long time the breakup had been a touchy subject.
    “Well, it didn’t matter what I wanted. Katrina did go, didn’t she?” Lance said. “I’m not the kind to force a woman if she doesn’t want what I have to offer.”
    “Maybe she just outgrew it,” Trey said. “I mean, she was kind of young when you met, and sometimes it seemed like you were more like her daddy than her boyfriend.”
    If you only knew, friend…
    “But what about this girl who just took off?” Trey continued, turning the subject away from Lance’s ex. “Did you even get her name?”
    “Yeah, Tiffany. A cute name—cute and soft. Like her.”
    “Damn.” Trey drained the rest of his drink and stood. “You know what I think?”
    “What?”
    “I think if that girl comes back in, you need to make sure you set up a date.” Trey winked as a wide grin split his handsome face. “I know you, Lance. Once you get an idea of what you want, you don’t let go until you get it. I can tell you aren’t going to have a moment’s peace until you do.”
    “Well, I kind of doubt she’s coming back.” Lance rose from the sofa and effortlessly crumpled his drink can in his fist before tossing it into the recycling bin. He could hear the door to the gym opening. Duty called, and Trey had to leave for his shift on the police force anyway.
    Up front, Lance found two new potential clients—blondes with crop tops that showed off their sculpted abs, and skintight workout pants that molded their firm bottoms like a second skin. They also wore faces coated in makeup. Lance knew their type; these were women who worked out before they came to the gym. For them, the gym wasn’t a place to get fit, but a hook-up club. He tried not to show his distaste as he welcomed them to Summit Fitness.
    “Do you do Cross Fit here?” The blonde to the left asked, leaning to tie a shoe that didn’t need to be tied as she made the inquiry. Her crop top gaped a bit, revealing very