Disclaimer: I do not own MIOBI

Chapter 7

SashaPOV

The day after the girl's conditioning, I arrive at the gym at 4am. I was planning to work out, but was surprised to see someone standing outside The Rock.

"Payson? What are you doing here so early?" I asked her.

"I like to get here before everyone else. The silence helps me focus before everyone else shows up. I hope that is okay?" She says, blushing and looking down. She is as beautiful in person, I tell myself. Stop it Sasha, she is one of your daughter's best friends. Yeah, but that doesn't mean you feel any different.

"Sasha, are you okay?" Payson asked, pulling me out of my internal battle. I have thought she was beautiful since I watched her at Nationals last year. I have not been able to get her out of my head.

"Yeah, sorry. Caught up in my thoughts. Come on in. I was going to get a workout in before anyone got here anyway." I tell her, moving to unlock the door.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt your plans." She says, looking to the ground and getting quiet.

"It is okay. You can join me, if you can keep up that is." I say to her, throwing in a wink. Stop flirting with her Belov, it is wrong. Please, she probably doesn't even know you are flirting.

"Oh, I think I can keep up," Payson says with a smirk on her face. God, that is sexy.

"Well then. Wanna put your money where your mouth is Keeler?" I say, trying to draw out the flirting as much as possible.

"Depends? What is in it for me?" Payson says, playing into the game. You are treading in dangerous waters here Belov. But, it looks like you are not the only one.

"How about this: we do my work out regimen. You can keep up with me, you get to name what you want." I say, hoping she will fall for the bait.

"Sounds interesting," she says, "what about if I can't keep up with you?"

"You come do this workout with me every morning until you can." By this point, we had walking into the main part of the gym and Payson was putting her bag down in front of the viewing area. I really hope she can't keep up with me, then we can spend more time together.

"You offer very interesting terms Belov." Payson says walking closer to me. "You have yourself a deal. But be prepared, because when I win, I am going to cash in right away." Payson and I were now inches away from each other.

"Well then, lets get started." I say, walking to the floor to stretch out and get started. I had to walk away from her before I did something I would regret.

45 Minutes Later

Damn it, I thought. She was able to keep up with me. We had gone through the workout and were now sitting in the middle of the floor, sipping on water and stretching out once again.

"So Belov, looks like I won. I kept up with you through the whole thing," Payson said, looking ateme with that sexy smirk once again.

"You're right. And I believe you said something about cashing in right away," I tell her, teasing her in a playful, flirting manner. "Well Keller , what will it be?"

Payson took a deep breath before she answered.

PaysonPOV

I can not believe this morning. I came to the gym early, hoping that Sasha would let me warm-up and condition before all of the other girls showed up, and I end up working out with him instead. I have had a crush on him since I was little, but never thought I would have the chance to meet him, let alone work out with him. And then he flirts with me! I mean, just because I am a gym rat, does not mean I know when a guy is flirting with me. Nicky flirts with me all the time, I just never let him get to me. And then he kept flirting when I flirted back! Now it was time for me to cash in on what I wanted.

I took a deep breath before I answered him.

"I want you to kiss me." I say. No turning back now.

Sasha chokes on the sip of water he had just taken and looks at me.

"Payson," he says sighing, "I can't do that. It isn't right. I am your coach and you are Emily's best friend. I am old enough to be your father."

"You said I could have anything I wanted Sasha, and that is what I want. I know you were flirting with me earlier. Don't act like this isn't what you want." I say standing up and walking toward my bag. Before I can get there, I feel Sasha's lips on mine. I am in shock at first, but quickly respond to the kiss when I feel him pulling away. After a few minutes we pull apart, breathing heavily with swollen lips.

"Wow," we say at the same time.

"Stay late after practice. I think we need to talk about this," Sasha says after he let me go. It was 4:55, so the girls would be arriving any minute.

"Sure."

"And Payson, I have to ask Emily about this. She always stays late rather than coming in early, so we can talk in the office and then discuss whatever we decide. I cannot keep something like this from her, especially since she is one of your best friends." Sasha says, pleading with his eyes for me to understand.

"I get it Sasha. And you are right, we should talk about this."

Just as I finished talking, Emily and Kaylie walked through the doors. Our moment was over, and it was time to go to work.

SashaPOV

I was standing in the office, staring out the window, consumed in my thoughts when I heard someone enter the room.

"Dad?" Emily asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Are you okay? You have been up here for like 20 minutes. The assistant coaches let the girls go to lunch because we did not want to interrupt you."

"Yeah sweetie, I'm fine. Hey, I have a question for you." I say turning to her.

"Okay, shoot." She says, grabbing her lunch out of the mini fridge and sitting on the couch.

"How would you feel it I started dating again?" I ask her, grabbing my lunch and sitting behind the desk.

"Um, wow dad. That is a big deal. I mean, I guess I would be okay with it. I never believed you and mom would get back together anyway." She says, pouring a little dressing on her salad and mixing it up.

"Are you sure? Even if the woman is younger than me?" I ask skeptically.

"I'm sure. I just want you to be happy dad." Emily says, looking at me with a smile on her face.

I started to say thank you before Emily interrupted me.

"Wait. Younger than you? Woman? DAD! Did you finally admit to yourself that you like Payson?" Emily asked me excitedly.

"Hold on, you knew I liked Payson? What? How? When?" I asked her, confused.

"Daddy, you are about as subtle as a brick. I mean, it is a little weird: my best friend and my dad having feelings for each other. But like I said, I jsut want you both to be happy." Emily says, finishing her lunch and getting ready to head back out to the floor.

Well, that went over well. I think to myself.

Now all I have to do is talk to Payson.