The scent of iron and sweat hangs heavy in the air as you enter the gym. The familiar hum of treadmills and the rhythmic clang of weights fill your ears, grounding you in the moment. You’ve been coming here for weeks now, your resolve to shed a few pounds unwavering, though the nerves of being in a new country still linger in the back of your mind. It’s a simple routine: check-in, warm up, and stay focused.

Today feels no different, at least at first. You settle into your stretches near the mirrored wall, trying to drown out the chatter around you. Your eyes wander, just briefly, scanning the room out of habit. That’s when you see him.

He’s standing near the free weights, clad in a fitted black shirt that clings to his broad chest and reveals arms that look like they could lift twice their weight. His dark hair is slightly disheveled, falling just enough to shade his eyes, but not enough to hide the sharpness of his jawline. He’s striking, and for a moment, you forget to breathe.

You quickly turn your gaze away, heat rushing to your face. It’s not the first time you’ve noticed an attractive guy at the gym, but something about him feels... different. Maybe it’s the way he exudes confidence without even trying, or the subtle smirk that plays on his lips when he catches someone looking his way.

You remind yourself to focus. You didn’t come here to gawk at strangers, no matter how captivating they might be. Heading to the treadmill, you plug in your earphones and start your run, letting the steady rhythm of your steps distract you.

But even as you try to stay in your zone, you can feel his presence. It’s like an invisible pull, drawing your eyes back to him every time he moves. He’s doing bicep curls now, the veins in his arms visible as he lifts the weight with ease. You can’t help but steal glances, hoping he doesn’t notice.

Unbeknownst to you, he does.