Chapter 49

The gym buzzed with the usual hum of machines, clinking weights, and upbeat music blasting from overhead speakers. Abigail pulled her ponytail tighter as she stepped inside, already feeling the familiar surge of energy that always hit her when she entered the space. She loved the gym—it was one of the few places where she could clear her head, let the stress of the week melt away, and just focus on herself.

She adjusted the strap of her sports bra and tossed her gym bag onto a nearby bench before heading to the free weights. Her midnight-blue joggers and cropped tank hugged her perfectly, and she barely noticed the heads that turned as she walked by. Abigail wasn’t here to impress anyone—not that she ever had to try.

Emma, on the other hand, had spotted her the second she walked through the door. Hidden behind a low baseball cap and oversized sunglasses, Emma had perched herself on a treadmill in the back corner of the gym, her heart skipping an entirely irrational beat at the sight of Abigail. She knew Abigail liked to come here, as she jogged with her gaze Abigail, Emma was feeling just a little territorial.

Because someone else had noticed Abigail, too.

Emma watched as a girl—tall, toned, and clearly confident—sidled up next to Abigail while she was mid-rep with a pair of dumbbells. The girl flashed a smile, the kind Emma had seen a hundred times before, and leaned casually against the nearby rack as if she belonged there. Even from across the room, Emma could hear her voice carry just above the thrum of the gym’s playlist.

“Hey, I’ve seen you here a few times,” the girl said, her tone friendly and dripping with flirtation. “You’ve got some killer form. Need a spot?”

Abigail paused mid-lift, raising an eyebrow as she set the weights down with a soft clank. She was polite, offering the stranger a small smile as she caught her breath. “Thanks, but I’m good. I’ve been doing this a while.”

The girl didn’t take the hint. She stepped closer, her hand brushing lightly against Abigail’s arm—and from her treadmill perch, Emma’s jaw tightened.

“No shame in a little help, though,” the girl continued, her voice softening as she leaned in just slightly. “I could show you a few moves. You know, we could even grab a smoothie after. My treat.”

Emma frowned a little jealous.

Abigail let out a soft laugh—one that sounded more polite than genuine—and shifted her weight, clearly trying to extract herself from the situation without being rude. “That’s nice of you, but I’m really just here to work out.”

Before the girl could offer another line, Emma was already weaving her way through the gym, her hat pulled low as if that alone could mask her sudden surge of possessiveness. She didn’t stop to think about the optics of what she was about to do. All she knew was that someone else was trying to stake a claim on her girl, and that wasn’t going to fly.

Abigail noticed her first. Her brows furrowed in confusion as Emma stormed across the gym floor, her disguise doing little to hide the unmistakable determination in her stride. “Emma?” Abigail blinked, her voice laced with surprise. “What are you—”

Before she could finish, Emma reached her. Without a word, Emma grabbed Abigail’s waist, spun her gently but firmly toward her, and crashed her lips against hers.

The world fell away.

Abigail froze for half a second, her hands hovering uncertainly before instinct took over and she melted into Emma’s kiss. It was deep, possessive, and left no question about exactly who Abigail belonged to. When Emma finally pulled back, her eyes blazing and her breath just a little ragged, she glanced briefly at the girl still lingering nearby. The stranger’s face was a mix of shock and embarrassment as she stumbled for words.

“Oh—uh, sorry, I didn’t realize…”

Emma smirked, still holding Abigail close. “Yeah,” she said coolly, her voice low and unmistakably pointed. “She’s taken.”

The girl muttered an awkward apology before backing off entirely, disappearing into the rows of machines as fast as her feet could carry her. When she was gone, Abigail pulled back just enough to look at Emma, her lips curving into a mix of amusement and affection.

“Possessive much?” Abigail teased, though the blush creeping up her cheeks betrayed how flustered she really was.

Emma huffed, brushing her fingers through Abigail’s ponytail. “What was I supposed to do? Sit there and watch her flirt with you?”

Abigail bit her lip, her grin widening. “You could’ve just said hello like a normal person.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Emma shot back, though her voice softened as she leaned in, pressing one more lingering kiss to Abigail’s forehead. “No one gets to hit on you but me.”

Abigail rolled her eyes fondly, looping her arms around Emma’s neck and pulling her in closer. “You’re lucky you’re cute,” she murmured, brushing her nose against Emma’s. “And that I like it when you get all jealous.”

Emma smiled, the tension in her shoulders easing as she finally let herself relax. For a moment, the gym around them didn’t exist—there was just the two of them, tangled up in each other’s orbit, and Emma couldn’t bring herself to care if anyone was watching.

“C’mon,” Abigail said after a beat, her voice light with laughter. “Since you’re here, you might as well work out with me. I’ll even let you spot me.”

Emma chuckled, brushing her thumb gently over Abigail’s cheek. “Fine. But only if you promise not to let anyone else ask you out for smoothies.”

Abigail grinned, pressing a quick kiss to Emma’s lips before grabbing her hand and tugging her toward the weights. “Deal.”

They worked out side by side, Emma spotting Abigail as she lifted and occasionally sneaking playful touches or whispered compliments between sets. Abigail’s cheeks were flushed by the time they switched, Emma taking her turn under Abigail’s watchful gaze. Despite the effort they put into their workouts, neither could fully focus—not with the weight of their earlier kiss lingering in the air.

From across the gym, the same girl lingered near a stretching mat, still sneaking glances their way. Abigail caught her staring again, and instead of ignoring her, she leaned toward Emma with a mischievous smile.

“Looks like someone’s still curious,” Abigail murmured.

Emma followed her gaze and smirked. “Should we invite her over? Give her a proper introduction to your actual girlfriend?”

Abigail laughed softly, turning to wave the girl over with an exaggeratedly friendly smile. The girl hesitated, wide-eyed and unsure, before awkwardly shaking her head and darting toward the exit.

“Guess she’s not up for a chat,” Emma quipped, wiping her hands on a nearby towel.

“Shame,” Abigail teased, slinging an arm around Emma’s shoulders. “I think we made our point, though.”

Emma grinned, pressing a kiss to Abigail’s temple. “Yeah, I think we did.”