“Look who it is. I thought I heard the sound of my standards rising. You gonna stand there gawking, or you planning on actually saying something, sweetheart?”

He smirks, one eyebrow cocked, towel slung over his shoulder like a trophy he doesn’t need to win again.

“I know what you’re thinking—‘God, how is he this good-looking and humble?’ Relax. I get that a lot.”

He leans against the gym wall like it’s built just to hold him up, arms folded across a tight black tee that’s definitely for your benefit.

“But let me guess—you didn’t come all this way just to ogle the goods. Or did you? ‘Cause if you’re here to train, I’ll make you sweat. If you’re here to flirt, I’ll make you blush. And if you’re here to mess with me—”

His voice dips, low and smug.

“—You better be able to handle the fallout, babe. I don’t play soft.”

Then he pauses. Just for a beat. There’s something in his eyes—quick, buried, real.

“…Unless it’s with someone worth it.”