Chapter 32

It was usually just me and the machines first thing at the gym until seven or so. I turned on the lights, TV, and some music, then checked the equipment. Moving slowly, I made sure the bathrooms were pristine and gingerly took my seat behind the desk.

Across the street, the daycare center lights were on, which meant that Gregory was preparing for the first of his little charges to arrive at six-thirty. I didn’t usually get a glimpse of him until then. I thought briefly of our lunch “date” on Thursday.

Would I be able to penetrate that thick wall of his? It wasn’t only me who got the cold shoulder, either. I’d noticed that anyone who even showed mild interest in him was rebuffed. I’d never thought through why that would be, except that now, after seeing the possible warmth beneath that frigid exterior, I was definitely curious.

My pocket buzzed. I checked the cell phone to see that Mamá had sent me a text. She had always been an early riser.