Derek spotted him almost immediately.
“Well, look who showed up.”
Several people turned.
Cole wore faded jeans, work boots, and a gray flannel shirt. His left leg was stiff from the drive, and he walked with a slight limp.
Derek glanced at the knee, then at Cole’s clothes.
“Claire told me you sold air conditioners.”
“Commercial HVAC systems.”
“Right. You fix things for a living.”
“Sometimes.”
Derek grinned at the men nearby.
“This is the guy who’s going to fight me Friday.”
One of the younger trainers laughed.
Cole didn’t react.
Derek seemed disappointed.
“Don’t you have anything to say?”
“I came to look at the gym.”
“Why? You think you can learn enough in a day to keep me off you?”
“No.”
“Then why are you here?”
“To see whether you always talk this much.”
A few people laughed.
Derek’s smile tightened.
He stepped closer.
“Listen, man. Claire has been miserable for years. She deserves excitement. She deserves somebody who makes her feel something.”
