"God, it’s hot in here," Rachel muttered, wiping a bead of sweat from her temple with the back of her hand. She adjusted the towel wrapped around her, tucking the edge tighter under her arm. Across the small wooden bench, Ryan leaned back, his bare chest glistening under the dim amber light. "You’re the one who wanted to stay longer," he said, grinning.

They’d been friends for years, ever since they started working at the same gym. Rachel, with her sharp cheekbones and toned legs, always seemed to draw attention, though she never seemed to notice. Ryan, lean and athletic, had always been the one to push her out of her comfort zone—like convincing her to try the sauna after their evening workout. The steam curled around them, making her skin glow and her dark hair cling to her neck.

"You’re such a show-off," Rachel said, rolling her eyes but smiling. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, the towel slipping slightly. Ryan’s gaze flickered for a moment before he looked away. "You’re the one who’s always complaining," he teased, standing up to adjust the temperature. "But fine, I’ll cool it down. For you." Rachel tilted her head, watching him. "You’d better," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the hum of the heater.