“So, Brett, are you here for a loan?”
“First I’d like to know how my favorite math tutor is doing,” he said, still with that easy smile, that confidence that used to enthrall her. Now it only grated on her nerves.
He was trying to charm her. It came to him as easily as breathing, and probably just as unconsciously. It took her back to afternoons around her parents’ farmhouse kitchen table. She had tried earnestly to teach him trigonometry; he had tried to distract her with jokes. She’d wanted to slap him.
Or kiss him.
“How could I be your favorite tutor?” She laughed nervously, although she was anything but amused. “I dropped you two weeks before the final exam, remember?”
“Oh, yeah.” Brett frowned. “Why did you do that, anyway?”
“Dad needed my help with chores after school,” she lied, even as hurt and anger pushed their way to the surface.
What an idiot she’d been back then, imagining that just because they’d laughed together, just because he’d tweaked her ponytail, he’d liked her. She could still see his stunned expression, hear his excruciatingly blunt, “Sorry, you’re not my type,” when she’d asked him to the grade eleven dance.
“Is it a home loan or business loan you’re after?”
“Your father used to put the fear of God into me whenever I came around,” Brett went on, seemingly oblivious to her efforts to change the subject. “But I’ll never forget the cakes and cookies your mum baked for our study sessions. How are your folks doing?”
“They sold the farm and moved into Summerside to be near Jack, Lexie and me,” Renita said, summing up the past six months in a few quick words. What she didn’t say was that her parents, Steve and Hetty Thatcher, weren’t fine at all. They were having marriage problems, and her dad was sick. But she was done chatting. She shuffled some papers on her desk. “Interest rates are set to go up next month, so I’m recommending to our borrowers that they lock in for a fixed term.”
“I ran into Jack yesterday in the grocery store,” Brett added. “He told me your father had been in the hospital.”
Renita nodded, biting her lip. The scare was recent enough that she was still shaken up over it.
“Is Steve all right?” Brett pressed. “Jack was in a hurry and didn’t have time to tell me what happened.”
She gripped her pen tightly between her fingers. “My dad’s been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.”
Brett leaned forward, his clear blue eyes troubled. “I didn’t think that usually meant a hospital stay.”
Couldn’t he just drop it? Renita met his gaze, and that was her undoing. His expression was so sympathetic she couldn’t resist confiding in him. “Mum was away on a meditation retreat and Dad let his diet go to hell. No one knew he had diabetes or that he was eating a ton of sweets. Next thing, he was severely dehydrated and his blood sugar levels were through the roof. He was in a coma for two days.”
“I’m sorry,” Brett murmured. “Is he okay now?”
Sorry. Was he? Renita tapped the pen against her blotter. For reasons she’d never understood, Brett and her father didn’t get along.
“He’s out of the hospital. Mum’s back home and taking care of him.” Grudgingly. Hetty, and even Jack and Sienna, believed Steve had brought his illness on himself to punish her for going away.
“My gym is sponsoring the Diabetes Fun Run next month,” Brett said. “You and Steve should think about entering.”
“Me, run?” Renita laughed. “I’m built for comfort, not speed.” She was like her dad in many ways, including having a weakness for sweets.
“It’s not a race,” Brett said. “It’s to support a good cause. And an excuse to get some exercise.”
Renita shifted uncomfortably, feeling her waistband pinch. Steve’s health crisis had given her a jolt. She needed to do something about her weight or she might end up with type 2 diabetes. In fact, she was going on a diet. Starting next Monday. Or Tuesday.
Just thinking about being hungry made her cranky.
“I support the cause, but as for exercise, I’d sooner stick flaming bamboo shoots beneath my fingernails.”
“Okay, I get the picture. I’m not here to torture you.” Brett let the subject go. “What are you doing these days? Do you still see anyone from high school?”
“Most everyone has moved away.” Didn’t he get that they weren’t friends?
“I’m looking forward to catching up with Jack and his fiancée,” he said. “What’s her name?”
“Sienna. Look, could we get down to business?” Renita sat up straighter to ease the strain on her jacket. “I’m sure your time is valuable, and I have another appointment coming up. Are you here about a bank loan?”
Silence followed her brusque request.
“I want to buy the Summerside Fitness Center,” Brett finally admitted. “I’ve taken over managing the place and the owner’s keen to sell.”
“You must have just started there. I haven’t seen you around town.” Hadn’t heard any buzz that Brett’s minor celebrity status would have generated, either.
“That’s right. We moved in last week, to a house on Cliff Road.”
“We?” The word popped out before Renita could stop herself. Brett’s divorce six months ago had been splashed all over the tabloids, but she wouldn’t be surprised if he’d already found another girlfriend. “Sorry, your personal life is none of my business.”
“You can ask. We’re old friends.” Another moment of silence passed, as if he expected her to agree. When she didn’t, his blue eyes hardened. “My daughter, Tegan, and I.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Tegan wishes there were more fashion boutiques in Summerside, but I’m glad she can’t spend all her time shopping.” Brett rolled on, regaining his good humor. “With us practically living on the beach, she’ll be able to learn to sail. Summerside is a good place to grow up, on the fringe between city and country. Well, you would know. You had a great childhood on the farm.”
There he was, inviting Renita to reminisce again. She wasn’t going to bite. “About the gym…I drive past there regularly. The building looks run-down. I hope it’s going for a good price.”
“Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. That includes all equipment, such as it is. It’s reasonable,” Brett said. “But I’ll need to completely refurbish the place. Exercise machines, flooring, coffee area, child care, change rooms—the works.”
Finally, they were getting down to business. “Coffee?” Renita asked. “Isn’t that encouraging unhealthy habits?”
“I gather this used to be a squash club. There’s a small kitchen where players used to wait for a court.” He shrugged. “I’m into fitness, but I’m not a fanatic. If people want coffee, they can have it.”
“Is the gym currently running at a profit?”
“A very slim one. The place has been neglected since the owner moved to Sydney last year. His manager quit months ago and hasn’t been replaced. One of the instructors has been in charge, but obviously, she can’t do that justice and teach classes at the same time. Once I take over things will improve.” Brett removed a sheaf of papers from his manila envelope and handed them