"There is absolutely no way," Mike breathed, his voice barely above a whisper.
Claire offered a warm, crinkling smile that reached her eyes. "Hi, Mike."
Mike stood up with such sudden, uncharacteristic speed that his rolling office chair shot backward and slammed into the filing cabinet. "You've got to be kidding me. You're actually here."
"I try not to make a habit of kidding," she said.
Mike hurried around the desk, wrapping the smaller woman in a massive, bear-like hug, lifting her just an inch off the floor. From across the gym, Derek was wrapping his wrists with athletic tape. He paused, frowning slightly, noticing the interaction. He had never seen Mike Callahan hug anyone. Ever. Several other regulars on the mats noticed as well, pausing their warm-ups to watch the strange reunion.
Mike stepped back, holding Claire by the shoulders, beaming down at her. "What in the hell are you doing in Colorado? I thought you were locked down in Seattle."
"Work brought me out," Claire said, adjusting her sweatshirt. "Consulting at a clinic downtown."
"For how long?"
"Three weeks. Just a temporary placement."
Mike looked genuinely hurt, placing a massive hand over his chest. "You didn’t even call me to tell me you were flying in. I would have picked you up at the airport."
"Mike, I'm literally standing right here in front of you now."
"That is entirely not the same thing and you know it," he grumbled, though the smile never left his face. He looked her up and down, sizing her up with the practiced eye of an old coach. "So, what, you brought a bag. Are you training tonight?"
Claire glanced out at the crowded, sweaty mats. "I might find a corner and do some stretching. Get the flight out of my system."
Mike scoffed. "Stretching is not training. Get a rash guard on and get some rounds in."
"Stretching absolutely is training when you hit thirty-five, Mike."
"You’re thirty-five, kid, you're not eighty years old. Put the gear on."
Claire shifted her weight slightly, a micro-movement barely perceptible to the untrained eye. "My right hip respectfully disagrees with your assessment."
Immediately, the jovial energy drained out of Mike's posture. A shadow passed over his face—a mixture of deep concern, lingering guilt, and an old, heavy memory that still clearly pained him. Claire saw the shift instantly and reached out, patting his forearm.
"Stop that," she said firmly. "I'm fine. Really."
Mike swallowed hard, nodding slowly. He dropped his voice. "You still moving okay day to day? The pain manageable?"
"Well enough to function," Claire said lightly, turning her body to look out at the gym to purposefully break the heavy eye contact.
Derek had been watching the entire exchange with mounting, idle curiosity. He finished biting off a strip of athletic tape, smoothed it over his wrist, and swaggered over to the front desk, his chest puffed out slightly. He leaned his elbows on the high counter, looking down at Claire.
"Friend of yours, coach?" Derek asked, his tone laced with a casual, performative confidence.
Mike threw a quick, sharp glance at Derek. The warmth in his eyes completely vanished, replaced by the stern, hardened gaze of the gym owner. "Yes."
Claire turned and looked up at Derek. Her expression was neutral, completely unreadable.
Mike sighed, performing the social obligation. "Derek, this is Claire Bennett. Claire, this is Derek Sloan. One of our competitors."
Derek extended a heavily taped, calloused hand. "Nice to meet you."
Claire took it. Her grip was firm, dry, and brief. "Likewise."
Derek stood there for a moment, waiting for Mike to fill the silence, to explain who this tiny woman was and why the head coach was treating her like royalty. Mike offered nothing, turning his attention back to his computer monitor to check the clock. The deliberate omission irritated Derek. He liked knowing the hierarchy of the room. He liked knowing where everyone stood.
He leaned in a little closer to Claire. "So, you train?"
Claire looked back at him, her eyes calm and steady. "Used to."
"What martial art?"
"A little bit of everything over the years," she answered softly.