🎶: 'Say You Won't Let Go' by James Arthur

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You took your jacket off, leaving a sleeveless red gym shirt on with your black tights. You raised your foot and rested it on a bench, tightening the laces on each shoe.

You tightened your ponytail and walked over to a treadmill, setting it on one of the exhausting options, one with hills.

You stood on top and pressed START, brisk walking at first which soon turned to running.

CREAK!

You turned back to find someone entering the gym, a guy. You had seen him for the past few days you've been coming in the afternoon.

He was a pretty fit guy, who always wore black gym shorts and a t-shirt. His hair was always messy, sometimes a ball cap on his head worn backwards.

The guy always had his headphones in his ear, you didn't get a chance to talk to him. You're not quite sure why you wanted to interact with him.

He walked up to the treadmill next to yours and looked at you, smiling briefly. You smiled back, all while running over 'hills'.

You both ran side by side for a while. You listened to your tunes while he did the same. You finished before him though, his eyes followed your every movement.

You walked over to the exercise mat, doing some crunches and a plank in the end.

You got up and went over to your things, grabbing your water bottle and replenishing your thirst.

"Hey uh, are you using this?" The guy asked as he gestured to the mat. You smiled and shook your head, "No, you can use it."

You exhausted your energy on some of the other machines then decided it was time for you to leave. The guy had the same thought, walking over to get his bag as you got yours.

"Are you new here? I haven't seen you before," The guy asked and you smiled slightly. "I used to come here in the evenings but there was change at my workplace so now I come at this time," You informed and he nodded understandingly.

"I'm Misha by the way," He introduced and put his hand out. You shook it and replied, "[y/n]."

You slung your bag over your shoulder after you wiped you neck and hands with a towel. "Well I'll see you around Misha," You smiled and he gave you a 'thumbs up'.

You walked towards the gym door, glancing back once, then exiting and heading towards your car.

*****

You saw him everyday for the next week. He'd always come after you at around the same time in the afternoon. Misha would always join you at the treadmill, taking the one next to you. At one time, another lady had taken that spot and you could have sworn that you saw him frown.

You both enjoyed each other's company, a visit to the gym became more a socialising area than just for getting fit. You got to know Misha more, and he learnt a lot about you.

"Hey, uh, I wanted to ask you if you want to go out sometime. Maybe for coffee?" Misha asked and you smiled softly. "Sure I'd love to," You responded as you stretched your legs on the bench.

You looked at your watch. You had been here for about two hours, you usually leave when it hits one and a half.

You gathered your things and were about to head to the door when two kids ran inside.

"West, Maison! What are you doing here?!" He questioned, looking rather nervous. They ran over to Misha and stood near him. "Darius had to drop us off because he had a meeting. He tried calling your phone dad," West explained.

You stood by the door, observing the situation silently. Misha looked up to you and sighed, you had crossed your arms and raised an eyebrow.

You rolled your eyes and walked over to the kids, a smile on your face. "Hey kids!" You said cheerfully. The kids turned around and looked at you with confusion.

"Are you my dad's girlfriend?" Maison asked and Misha interfered. "No she's uh, she's just a colleague," He seemed pretty stressed.

You bent down a bit, looking at the little girl with a grin. "I think I'm more of a friend than a colleague," You said then looked back to a corner, "Why don't you go play with that bouncy ball there? This one's extra bouncy!" You pointed at the gym's exercise ball  and the kids smiled widely.

They ran to it and you approached Misha with a frown.

"Oh hi 'Dad'! How's it going?" You said sarcastically. He sighed and you shook your head, "Cheating are we?"

He looked at you with furrowed eyebrows, "No way, I'm not that type of guy. I'd never cheat on someone!" You rubbed your forehead with your hand, "So why did you ask me on a date? They definitely have a mom and I don't want to be part of some affair!"

He didn't have anything to say. It was more like he didn't want to say anything here. "It's hard to explain-"

"Then help me understand," You told, "Let's go to a diner or something and you explain everything to me. You've brought it upon yourself."

He looked to the floor then nodded. He called his kids over and you four walked to a diner closest to the gym.

*****

"This is West and that's Maison," He first gestured to his son, who was sitting next to him, then pointed to his daughter who sat next to you.

You took a French fry off from the plate in the middle and ate it. "I'm..." He sighed, "I'm divorced. I've been for almost a year and that's why I asked you to go out with me."

"Maison look at this!" West said when he earned a high score on the game he was playing on his daddy's phone. The little girl ran to the other side of the table and looked over her brother's shoulder with interest, you smiled.

"I've been single ever since I got divorced," He said and looked over to his kids, "I'm just a single dad who wants to feel love again."

You frowned, suddenly feeling really bad for saying all those things earlier. "I'm not a bad person [y/n]. I'd never be with anyone else if I'm already with someone. I'm not like that," He told, his words sounded completely sincere.

"I'm very sure. From the time I've spent with you, you're a very wonderful man," You told and placed your hand on his arm, he smiled softly, "I just-I mean, when your children walked in what did you expect me to think? I didn't mean to offend you or anything-"

"Not at all, I understand," Misha said, "I'm really fond of you [y/n], that's why I asked you out. I know it's weird, we don't even know each other that well."

You looked at the table, then at the kids. "Hey kiddos, do you like the beach?" You asked and they smiled widely, "Would you mind if I come along with you two and your dad to the beach?"

They looked at each other then at their dad, who had a wide grin but didn't say a word.

"Yes, it'll be fun!" West said and Maison came over to you and hugged you. You smiled, running your hand through her blonde hair.

Misha payed for the fries, even though you insisted on doing it. You four walked out of the diner then stood at the curb. You put your hands in your jacket and smiled at Misha.

"I think we should change that coffee date to a beach day," You suggested and he nodded. You bent over to him, placing a kiss on his cheek and slipping a note into his jacket pocket.

"Call me, I'll see you soon," You smirked, patting his pocket softly. You've wanted to give your number to him but you didn't get the right opportunity. Now seemed like the perfect time.

Misha and the kids followed you to your car. You said goodbye to the kids, both of them hugged you. You sat in the drivers seat and waved at them.

Misha watched you drive off down the street. "Daddy, are you going to marry her?" Maison asked with curiosity. Misha looked at her with confusion then picked her up.

"What? Why? You like her?" He asked and Maison smiled. "She's nice and pretty... Do you like her?" She answered with a question, leaving Misha lost in thought.

"I uh, yeah I think I do..." He said then shrugged it off, "Let's go home. You guys have school tomorrow."