“Hey.”
“Hi.” Lucas yanked off a glove. “Are you new here?”
“I’m scoping out the place.” He was a big man, more from food than muscles, and he didn’t look like he’d used a gym much in his life. “Want me to hold the bag?” He gestured to the bigger one he normally worked out with when Derek or Kade was around.
Lucas shrugged. “Why not.” He held out his hand, and the other man helped pull the glove on. “I’m Lucas Monroe.”
“Vinny Bernard. Good to meet you.”
As Lucas began his routine, Vinny began to talk. “You come here often?”
Lucas grunted. There wasn’t much he could say while bashing a heavy bag.
“So I’m new to the area. Any good restaurants nearby?”
Lucas treated him to another grunt, then hit the bag harder before pausing to catch his breath. “A few. I’ll tell you later.”
“This gym is really no frills. You like it though?”
Lucas had had enough of this. “I think I’m going to hit the treadmill for a while.” Maybe he’d lose his new friend.
But Vinny followed him and hopped on the one next to his.
Lucas hit the buttons and started to run, focused on the TV screen on the panel in front of him. He watched the stock market closing numbers run by.
“I like to work out with my brother, but he’s been too busy lately. You got a brother?” Vinny asked.
Lucas groaned. “I have friends I work out with.” He wasn’t going to get into personal shit with a talkative stranger.
“My brother’s older,” Vinny went on, oblivious to Lucas’ irritation with this chatting and prying. “He’s a real pain in the ass in some ways. Thinks he’s king shit because he’s a big deal on Wall Street. But he’s my brother, you know? I’d do anything for him.”
Lucas already regretted getting involved with this guy. He grabbed a towel and shut down the treadmill and wiped his face, which was dripping with sweat.
“I have to get home,” he said, not bothering with pleasantries. He didn’t want to encourage a friendship with Vinny Bernard.
The other man shut off his treadmill and looked Lucas over, as if deciding whether or not to push further. “Right. Yeah. My wife is waiting too,” he finally said. “Night, man.”
“Night.”
Bernard walked away, his big body swaying from side to side.
Lucas shook his head and decided he wasn’t coming back again without Derek or Kade. Too many weird people in this city.
* * *
Maxie was invited to go to lunch and costume shopping with Lexie and her sister, Kendall. Knowing that Lucas wasn’t into the dressing-up part of the party—something he’d mentioned more than once—she’d agreed to buy the costumes for them both. In exchange, he’d consented to dress up as Batman to her Catwoman.
She and the twins had a nice lunch, and Maxie discovered she liked Kendall as much as she did her sister. The other woman was more subdued than Lexie, and Maxie couldn’t help but wonder if her medication kept her on such an even keel. Regardless, she was warm and friendly, and the three of them laughed about the men and their aversion to dressing up. Kendall didn’t mention Julian, and Maxie knew better than to bring him up herself.
From lunch, they headed to one of the many costume shops that popped up in Manhattan around Halloween time. The party had been planned for this coming Friday.
Maxie already had a tight pair of black leggings, thigh-high boots, and a tight black scoop-neck top. She’d rather wear her own comfortable clothes than the plastic items that came in one package. What she needed here were the mask and ears, which she easily found. Lucas had made it clear he’d wear his own black pants and top, so she found his accessories as well.
She turned around to find Kendall behind her. “Did you find what you were looking for?” she asked.
Maxie nodded and held up her items. “Did you?”
Kendall smiled. “Harley Quinn at your service.” She held up the package with her costume. The picture on the front had short shorts, cropped top, and stadium jacket. “I’m going to dye my hair,” she said, excitement in her voice.
“Oh, that’s perfect for you,” Lexie said, coming up beside them, her hands full.
“What do you have there?” Kendall asked.
“Spiderman and his superhero girlfriend, Black Cat, a.k.a. Felicia Hardy. I have to make my own costume, but I’ll wear a blonde wig.”
“We’ll look similar,” Maxie mused. “I haven’t gone out and had fun like this in ages. I can’t wait.”
“I could use a little fun myself,” Kendall said. “Except I’ll be the single, unattached woman, and I don’t think there’s anyone at Blink I’ll have much in common with.”
And that’s when Maxie realized Kendall’s somber mood might have more to do with Julian… or lack of being coupled up.
“Come on. You don’t know that. They’re inviting people they work with, so you never know,” Lexie said.
Kendall shrugged. “Whatever. Are we ready to head to the register?”
“I am,” Maxie said.
Lexie nodded and they headed up front to pay for their costumes.
A little while later, they walked out and stopped on the sidewalk. “So this has been fun, and we’re going to have an amazing night,” Maxie smiled. Because she was really looking forward to letting loose at a Halloween party with Lucas.