Max went to his gym next, the familiar scent of rubber mats and metal greeting him as soon as he stepped inside, seeing Josefina already there smiling at him like she had expected him, he answered with a small smirk instead of words.
While the other women in the gym noticed immediately, exchanging glances, smiling and teasing him about yesterday in low voices, their playful energy obvious but restrained, because every time Josefina glanced their way the teasing faded, their treadmill speed would increase as if any of them wanted to test her patience.
" You can come earlier tomorrow, I will come earlier as well "
Josefina said it while they were training, her voice was light, the smile on her face softer than usual, less competitive, more personal, and Max nodded once, accepting without overthinking, before moving into sparring with her, their distance closing naturally, her movements unusually gentle today, controlled in a way that showed restraint rather than limitation.
