|A L W A Y S & F O R E V E R| B O O K 1

2||S t a l k e r A l e r t

Date:1/17/15
Day of the Week: Saturday
Location: Los Angeles, California
Place: Gunnar's Fitness Gym

Russell
I pulled up to the gym in my Mercedes Benz. After turning the ignition off, I grabbed my gym bag from the passenger seat and proceeded inside. As soon as I got inside, I placed my gym bag on the bench. A grin formed on my face as I made my way over to the treadmills. After turning it on, I began running at a slow, steady pace. I chuckled as I looked over next to me. She still hadn't noticed so I spoke up.

"Good morning." She looked over at me as I got her attention. She scoffed.

"Are you stalking me?" She stopped the treadmill and grabbed her towel to wipe the sweat from her face. Damn, she's beautiful, even with messy hair and a body dripping with sweat.

"Uh...yeah. I am, actually." She tilted her head to the side, squinting her eyes in my direction.

"Really? Dude...you are so weird." I let out a low chuckle.

"I get that a lot." She shook her head playfully.

"I'm just messing with you. I honestly had no idea that we had the same trainer, but would it be weird if I asked you to..." She pushed her lips to the side and crossed her toned arms across her chest.

"To what?" She grinned as I heavily blushed.

"Lunch?" Before she could answer my name being called caught my attention.

"Ruuuus!" We broke our attention from each other, turning in the direction of the voice.

"You're here. I see you're shooting your shot with Ciara. Trust me, you're not her type." Gunnar patted me on my back as he walked by.

"Oh Gunnar, it's not like that. He and I were just talking." She turned back towards me. I nodded my head in agreement.

"Yeah. Just saying hello to each other." Gunnar looked between us suspiciously.

"Alright. If you two say so." After looking over us one more time he walked off, leaving us alone once again. Ciara turned to me and smiled.

"Sorry, buddy. I have a busy day today."

"Uh, it's okay. I-I understand." She smiled as I stuttered over my words.

"Well, I'll see you some other time. It was nice seeing you. Thanks again for helping me out." She threw the towel over her shoulder and stepped off the treadmill.

"You're welcome. Maybe next time we can have lunch then." I was hoping she would agree.

"Maybe we can." She got her gym bag and water bottle before leaving through the front door. After Ciara left the gym Gunner sat on the bench nearby.

"Helping her out? You two met before today?"

"Yeah. We actually ran into each other two weeks ago when I was on my way to get breakfast. She had her son and she dropped a few things. So I helped her. That's it." He nods before sighing softly.

"She's a nice woman, Russ. She's been through a lot." He warns me.

"I know." I sat down on the bench next to him and took a drink from my water bottle.

"You do?" He asked in disbelief.

"Well, I know she has a son and she recently got out of a relationship." I shrugged my shoulders.

"What are your motives with her?" I almost choked after his question.

"What do you mean what are my motives? I just thought it'd be nice to take her out to lunch and get to know her. Nothing more than that." He held his hands up in defense.