“If they let me back in, yes.”

“They’ll let you in.”

Theo shifted his weight from foot to foot. “I love what I do here, Ramona.”

“And your clients love that you do it.” She let loose with a wide grin and patted his shoulder. “When the agency suggested the idea, I knew it had to be you. All I ask is that you let Lucy Cunningham down easy when she falls in love with you.”

Theo was used to this kind of teasing. He had an undeserved rep for being a player, and nobody but Tyson knew that he rarely dated. Between raising Buddy, working two jobs, Special Olympics coaching, and studying his ass off for the reentry exam, there wasn’t time for women, especially another one who’d break his heart. He hoped someday that might change, but that day seemed a ways off.

“And a year is a very long time for a lonely woman to be in close proximity to Theo-dorable.”

He shrugged and decided to play along. “I can’t help it that I’m devastatingly handsome and perfect in every way.”

Ramona chuckled, headed for the door, then turned back toward him. “To your clients, that’s exactly what you are.” Theo tried to cut her off, but she held up her hand. “Do you know you’ve got a waiting list of females a mile long? Have you noticed that out of your forty active clients there is only one man, and he’s in love with you, too?”

“I’ve noticed.”

“Lucy is our meal ticket. The world will watch her go from frumpy to fabulous in your care and we’ll be the hottest fitness franchise in the state-hotter even than Goldstein’s Gym, and you know how long I’ve wanted to bury that sleazy bastard.”

“I know.”

“Your job is to keep Lucy Cunningham motivated and on track. Get as close to her as you need, but keep it professional. I know you can walk that line.”

Theo frowned at his boss, incredulous. “She is not exactly my type, Ramona.”

She shook her head and laughed. “But you’re hers, Theo. You’re every woman’s type.”