Warmed Up

Dan pushed through the gym doors, greeted by the familiar scent of rubber mats and iron weights. His duffel bag slung over his shoulder, he scanned the room until he spotted Josh near the front desk, waiting for him.

Josh waved him over. “Took you long enough.”

Dan was barely listening. His attention snagged on the receptionist behind the counter.

She was stunning—lean, toned, the kind of effortless confidence that made fitness look easy. Her sleek ponytail swayed as she turned, giving him a brief glance. Their eyes met.

Heat crawled up Dan’s neck. He looked away too fast, pretending to adjust his bag strap. He exhaled sharply, shaking his head at himself. God, I wish I didn’t get so awkward. It’d be easier if I could just… I don’t know, work out with a girl instead.

The thought drifted away as something warm pulsed against his throat.

His fingers brushed against the choker. He hadn’t even remembered putting it on, yet there it was—softly glowing, like a heartbeat beneath his skin.

Josh let out a low sigh. “Ugh, is it just me, or is it warm in here?”

Dan turned—and his breath hitched.

Josh looked… off.

At first, it was subtle. His frame seemed smaller, his shoulders less broad. His blue gym jacket sagged at the seams, like it didn’t quite fit right anymore.

Then it slipped—first from one shoulder, then the other.

Beneath it, a black sports bra clung to his chest.

Dan’s pulse thundered in his ears. He tried to blink it away, to make sense of what he was seeing, but the image refused to correct itself.

Josh rolled his shoulders, sighing again. “Ugh, better.” His voice was lighter now, the usual deep timbre replaced by something softer, almost… breathy.

Dan’s fingers curled tight around the choker.

Josh tugged the jacket free and tied it around his waist without hesitation, revealing a leaner, more sculpted midriff—his gym pants now riding higher on curvier thighs.

Dan took a step back. His brain scrambled for logic, for a way to explain this.

Josh caught his expression and quirked a brow. “What? You good?”

Dan opened his mouth, but the words wouldn’t come.

Josh stood there, completely unbothered, as if nothing had changed. As if he hadn’t just… shifted into something entirely different.

Dan’s stomach twisted. His fingers trembled against the choker.

What the hell just happened?