Eligible Ex-husband - Marie Johnston Page 0,1

role model do I want to be? Who is Natalie Gainesworth?

“Whoa.” Aleah breaks into my thoughts. “You must be chewing on that article. This’ll be your best pace ever.”

I don’t slow down. It feels good to release the burn inside me. “I found my motivation.”

“Do you think he knew about the article?” Aleah circles her finger, letting me know that we’ll be turning around where the running trail intersects with a street.

For once, I wasn’t thinking about what I read, but my pace kicked up talking about it. “He had to. Someone had to take the pictures.” Pictures of North Dakota’s most eligible bachelor looking tall, fit, and dead sexy.

The unfairness of it all.

We run back in silence, my angry pace fading with my energy.

The gym comes into view. The parking lot has several cars in it, but one in particular stands out. A sleek silver ride with a striking man getting out, unfolding his long frame. He flips his suit jacket and buttons it as he shoots the building a hard stare. A gorgeous, willowy blond is in the front seat, clicking through a phone. The man rounds the car, his shoulders impressively broad in his expensive suit. His expression is shadowed, like even the sun is too impressed to shine too brightly on him.

His gaze lands on me and his jaw tightens. It’s the only expression I ever see on him anymore.

“Is that…” Awe fills Aleah’s voice. She’s my biggest cheerleader, but I always feel like it’s hard to truly impress her. Of course, that’s easy for him too.

“Yes.” I sigh and slow to a walk so I won’t be gasping by the time I reach him.

The back door of the sedan opens and a sandy blond head pops out. Abigail. She prefers Abby.

She grins and waves with all the energy of an eight-year-old. “Hey, Mom!”

I wave back. Why would my luck change today? Sweat drips down my neck and soaks my hair. My face is probably stoplight red and these gray capri leggings highlight every dimple in my thighs. The gym is supposed to be my safe zone, the place where I can put the pieces of me back together again.

Instead, I’m literally a hot mess and the man I can’t quit thinking about is heading my way. The man I thought I’d be with long past forever. The only man I’m afraid I’ll ever want to be with at all. My ex-husband.

North Dakota’s most eligible bachelor.

Simon

My ex-wife looks fucking amazing.

For the thousandth time, I wonder where the hell we went wrong. Simon and Natalie. She goes by Nat with everyone else. We even gave our girls nicknames because I once told Natalie that I wished I had a nickname growing up. I thought we were the strongest couple ever. We both graduated college with a small baby and moved to another state to start a business together.

Now we’re divorced. And she’s been busting ass to get into shape, though there’s never been anything wrong with her shape at any point in her life. I stay awake too long at night ruminating about her motivation. My subtle attempts to get the girls to reveal whether or not Natalie is seeing anyone without outright asking have failed.

The lady running next to her has a rueful tilt to her lips. “Well, if it isn’t North Dakota’s most eligible bachelor.”

That stupid lifestyle piece turned out to be more entertainment than informative. It was my executive assistant’s idea and since Helena’s had nothing but golden nuggets since I hired her, I went with it. Whether it’s going to be the type of exposure I want is undetermined, but the way Natalie’s eyes narrow on me like I’m a potential mugger says no.

I give the other woman a congenial smile. “And you must be…”

Natalie answers. “This is Aleah, my personal trainer.”

The rising tide of suspicion swells. She’s even hired a personal trainer? The girls told me this is her gym since Natalie doesn’t share those details anymore. When we were married, I didn’t think she even knew gyms existed. But from Natalie’s vibrant glow, the training’s going well.

I’m happy for her and doesn’t that make me want to disassemble the entire gym and take it to the landfill? She used to be happy with me.

But I play the nice guy. Fargo is small enough that I can’t tarnish my image as a business owner. I extend my hand. “Aleah, nice to meet you. Simon.”

“Oh, I know.” She gives my hand a quick