The scent of eucalyptus towels and pre-workout powder hung in the air as Body & Soul Fitness buzzed with the usual 7:00 AM crowd—grunters, early risers, and a few hungover millennials punishing themselves on the rowing machines.
Mia Rivera, better known as Mimi to everyone in a five-mile radius, sat at the front desk like she owned the place. Her headphones were in, Lizzo was blasting, and she was doing a shoulder shimmy while refilling the guest towel basket.
"Mimi," came a familiar voice from behind her. "Please don't twerk on the counter."
Mimi turned around, completely unbothered. "Lisa. It's not twerking. It's front-desk-based morale boosting."
Lisa, the gym's owner, rolled her eyes with a grin. "You are the morale around here. Speaking of—come meet the new trainer."
Mimi's eyes narrowed. "Do I have to?"
Lisa smirked. "Be nice. He's not a total gym bro. I promise."
In walked a man who looked like he belonged in a GQ spread called Sweat & Sass: six-foot-something, lean muscle, baseball cap, kind eyes, and a T-shirt that read Train Like You Mean It.
Mimi sipped her iced coffee like it was tea. Here we go.
Lisa made the intro: "Xavier Rodriguez, meet Mia Rivera, the real boss of this place."
Xavier grinned and offered a hand. "Hey. Looking forward to working with you."
Mimi gave him the slowest, most theatrical once-over imaginable, then took his hand with mock seriousness. "We'll see."
He laughed. "I've been warned you run things."
Mimi leaned in. "Good. Stay scared."
Later that morning, Mimi watched Xavier as he led a training session with a new client. No showing off, no yelling—just easy instructions, encouragement, a fist bump. Okay… points for not being a tool.
When he passed the front desk again, Mimi called out without looking up from her clipboard.
"You're not as annoying as you look."
Xavier paused. "I think that's a compliment?"
Mimi grinned. "It's a challenge."