Fitness First
"Samira joins a women's fitness class to feel better after her divorce. She doesn't expect to fall for the class instructor's brother Rashid, who keeps showing up to 'fix equipment.'"
Fitness First
"The treadmill isn't actually broken."
Samira looked at the man pretending to examine the machine she'd just stepped off. Handsome, sweaty, holding a wrench like a prop.
"Then why are you here?"
"My sister runs this class. I help with equipment." He straightened. "Also, I wanted an excuse to talk to you."
"That's creepy."
"That's honest." Rashid smiled. "Different thing."
He kept appearing—genuinely fixing things now, but lingering near her station.
"Why me?" Samira asked finally.
"Because you're working harder than anyone here. And you look like you're fighting something bigger than weight loss." He met her eyes. "I recognize that look."
"You're divorced too?"
"Widowed. Two years ago." He sat beside her. "It gets easier. If you let it."
They started talking. Then meeting for post-class smoothies. Then dinners that stretched into evenings.
"You're helping me heal," Samira admitted.
"You're helping me live again." He took her hand. "Fair exchange."
At his flat, she hesitated.
"I'm not—my body isn't—"
"Your body is perfect." He kissed her forehead. "Every curve. Every mark. Everything you're insecure about—I see strength."
He made love to her with complete acceptance—worshipping everything she'd learned to hate.
"Meri jaan," Rashid breathed. "You're beautiful. Inside and out."
"You're not just saying that?"
"I'm proving it." He moved deeper. "As many times as you need."
"This is fast," Samira said afterward.
"We're not young. Fast is efficient." He grinned. "Also, I've been watching you squat for three months. I was already invested."
"That's..."
"Romantic?"
"Stalker-ish." But she was laughing. "Do it properly, then. Meet my family. The whole thing."
"Gladly." He kissed her. "I was waiting for you to ask."
The wedding was small—just fitness class members and family.
They still worked out together every morning.
Best rep either of them ever completed.