Nodding, John replied, “Yep. Told you she’s an enigma. You wouldn’t really put those two things together, would you? But in her case, they’re two sides of the same coin. She’s multi-talented, is Zoe.”

“Hmm…” He inched closer to the open door to see if he could get another glimpse of her. “Two sides of the same coin…” he said thoughtfully. “A beauty and a badass. I think I might be in love!”

John chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder. “Yeah, well, good luck with that one.”

Something in John’s tone struck a chord with Alexei. He frowned. “What do you mean? Oh God, please don’t tell me she’s married, or a lesbian.”

Wrinkling his nose, John shook his head. “Nope, not married. And nah, don’t think she’s into women, either. Though if she was, I wouldn’t mind watching. Lesbians are hot.”

“Agreed. But that didn’t answer my question.”

“You didn’t ask one.”

“Oh for fuck’s sake, you know what I mean!”

“All right, all right.” John held his hands up. “Keep your bloody hair on. No, she’s not married, or a lesbian. But I don’t think you’ve got a cat in hell’s chance, either. In all the time I’ve known her, I’ve never seen her with anyone, heard her talk about anyone, you get the picture. And it certainly isn’t because no one’s interested in her. I mean, look at her. So I reckon she’s just super-picky.”

Alexei glared. “What, and I look too much like Quasimodo, do I?”

Smirking, John replied, “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. You asked the question, I answered it. Looks and unusual mix of professions aside, she’s a really nice girl. Get talking to her, find out for yourself. Prove me wrong.”

Wondering why he was getting so defensive about a girl he’d never actually met or spoken to, Alexei gave a determined nod. “Oh, don’t worry, mate. I intend to.”

“Hey,” John said, turning around and putting a hand on Alexei’s shoulder to steady him. “Look where you’re bloody going, mate. What the hell’s the matter with you?”

Alexei opened his mouth to reply, but his brain refused to supply any words. Instead, his eyes gave him away, as he couldn’t resist another glance in her direction.

Following his gaze, John smirked when he spotted just who had distracted Alexei so much. “The cute blonde, I take it?”

Alexei nodded, his face growing hot at the thought someone might have seen what happened. At the thought she might have seen. “Who is she?”

“Come on,” John jerked his head in the direction of the room they’d been heading for. “I’ll fill you in.”

Forcing himself to keep his eyes firmly on John’s retreating back, and not sneak another peek at the sexy blonde, Alexei followed him into the room that was full of workout equipment. The sounds of metal against metal, whirring pedals and grunting men and women filled the space. Though it wasn’t noisy, exactly, there was enough going on that the two men could talk without everyone overhearing them.

“That, mate,” John said, pointing with his thumb, “is Zoe. Not surprised you noticed her—she is bloody gorgeous. For God’s sake, don’t tell my wife I said that, though. She’ll have my guts for garters.”

“Your secret is safe with me, don’t worry. So… what’s her story? I’m guessing there’s more to it than her name and the fact she’s gorgeous, otherwise we wouldn’t be gossiping in the corner like little old ladies.”

With a smile, the other man said, “Yeah, there’s more to it all right. She’s an enigma, that one. Teaches a kickboxing class twice a week—needless to say she’s bloody good, bet she could put any of us down, no bother—but her day job is as one of them beauticians. You know, does hair and nails and all that other women’s stuff.”

Alexei let out a splutter, which he tried to cover up by clearing his throat. “Erm, yes, I know what a beautician is, mate.” As the information sunk in, he pursed his lips. “Wow, so she does kickboxing and she’s a beautician?”