CHAPTER 1 – IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU

Regina had let herself go. The summer was almost over and yes it was only six pounds but she was determined to get it off. The gym in her apartment complex was small and pathetic but at least it had a few treadmills, an elliptical and a few weight machines. She swiped her key card and headed inside the clubhouse. Thankfully, the gym was empty. She preferred it this way. She figured she'd be alone since it was extremely early on a Saturday morning. She turned on the lights and stood in front of the enemy "I hate you," she said. Regina stretched and then proceeded to get on the machine. She put her earbuds in and set Pandora on her phone. Then, she ran. Sometimes, she just walked and other times she ran but today she could definitely tell it had been a while. She had been slacking. So, here she was up bright and early already sweating her ass off. After ten minutes her shorts were already sticking to her and her tank top was wet. She slowed down for a second to wipe her chest with the towel she brought with her and to take a sip of her water and then punched the keys to speed up the treadmill again. She was in the zone. So, much so that she never heard the door to the gym slam open and closed and she didn't see the man who had stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her.

No one ever came to the gym this early – especially on a Saturday but as Robin made his way over to one of the other treadmill's he couldn't help but stare at the pretty brunette who looked like she was running for her life. He had to force himself to look away, but then a few seconds later he couldn't help it. He looked at her again. She was gorgeous. She was wearing black shorts and a tank top and he hoped he wasn't drooling. She had the kind of hair he could run his fingers through; short it only fell to about her shoulders but sexy. Her body was impressive and again he had to force himself to look away. Thankfully, she paid him no mind and kept on running. He put one of the T.V's on to watch the news, stretched and then got on his machine. A few minutes later into his walk the brunette stopped her treadmill and began downing her water. He took another peek at her as she wiped her chest with her towel. God, she was hot. He shook his head to snap himself out of his thoughts and then grabbed his own water. She stepped down and grabbed a few wipes to clean the treadmill. Robin knew he was about to do something crazy. He never spoke to anyone but he had to talk to her. He opened his mouth and said the first thing that came to his mind "Usually I'm the only one here this early on a Saturday morning."

He watched as she sent him a quick smile "Yes, well I figured I'd better get it over with early today."

"I don't blame you," he replied. She grabbed her water after sending him another smile and headed out without another word. Robin groaned as he amped up the speed on his machine. It was his turn to run.

Regina decided she wanted to spoil her friends. It's not like they drank a lot but every once in a while it was fun to treat yourself so she had her heart set on a bottle of Champagne. She headed into the liquor store and was greeted by the owner who smiled and asked if she needed anything. She replied that she was "Just looking" and decided to take her time. She was sore from her run earlier and knew she had to get serious again. She stretched her neck and continued to walk around. Maybe, she'd find something else she wanted also. Most of the time they drank wine but nothing really caught her eye and she wasn't really in the mood for a mixed drink so she decided her original plan was the one she was going to go with. Regina picked up a bottle and headed toward the counter and noticed the line had grown. She couldn't help but notice the man directly in front of her. He seemed awfully familiar. By the time it was his turn; he was laughing with the owner and Regina noticed his accent right away. She must have been standing too close to him because as he went to walk away from the register he bumped into her "I'm sorry milady," he said as he turned around and touched her arm.

She noticed right away that it was the man from the gym earlier that had spoken to her; he seemed to notice her as well "It's alright," she replied. He smiled and headed for the door and Regina let out a breath "I'll just take this," she said to the gentleman behind the counter. She didn't know why but the man with the accent intrigued her and she'd only seen him for the first time today. It was strange that she saw him at the gym and now here at the liquor store. She thought that maybe she might want to try and talk to him but she wasn't good at this sort of thing. Maybe, her friends would know how she should handle the situation.

Saturday night was usually ladies night. Sometimes it was only twice a month but it was important for them to hang out and spend quality time with one another. Occasionally, Regina went out with her friends and other times they met at one of their houses for drinks. Tonight they were at her apartment and she was perfectly fine with that. Emma Swan and Mary Margaret Blanchard had been friends with Regina since college. It was convenient that they all lived in the same area – only about ten minutes away from one another. They lived about an hour and half from New York City. It was close enough to take the train down if they wanted but on the other hand they could enjoy what Mother Nature had to offer as well. They had the best of both worlds; city life and the suburbs. She was lucky to have them in her life. Regina brought out the bottle of champagne she'd bought earlier and Emma was a little surprised "Wow! What's the occasion?"

"Oh' we haven't had champagne in a while and do we really need a reason? I thought it would be nice."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Mary Margaret added. The conversation always flowed well between them. They talked about work and Mary has been married for about a year to her husband David so there was always a new funny story to tell as they were still getting used to being Newlywed's. Emma has been dating her boyfriend Killian for six months and things are still new and interesting with them as well. Regina secretly hoped that one day she would find someone of her very own but she pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind and tried to focus on her friends.

She sipped her drink and yawned – Emma gave her a look "What's with you? It's still early."

"I went to the gym this morning."

"Regina, seriously you always look amazing why do you torture yourself," Mary asked.

"I let myself go this summer. I just want to lose a few pounds."

"Good grief. You're being ridiculous but okay," Emma said as she sipped her champagne.

"Who even goes to the gym that early in the morning besides you," Mary added.

"Oh … I wasn't alone," Regina replied smiling.

That got Emma's attention and she sat up straight "Please tell me it was a hot guy!"

"Honestly, I didn't really get a good look at him because I was exhausted but he did have an accent. The weird part is I saw him at the liquor store this afternoon also. "

"That is odd that you saw him twice," Emma responded.

"Wait! Did you say an accent? A sexy British one perhaps," Mary asked.

"O … M … G," Emma replied.

Regina laughed "You guys are too much. I go to the gym to work out, not to meet men. Who does that?"

"Well since you have to live here to use the facilities you'll see him again. You should talk to him Regina. Strike up a conversation somehow."

Emma was nodding in agreement "I don't know. Isn't that weird? Talking to someone at the gym? I mean he did talk to me first but maybe he was just being polite?"

"You'll never know unless you try," Mary said.

"I agree," Emma added as she downed the rest of her champagne. They talked for a while longer but Regina continued to yawn "Okay, Sleeping Beauty here needs her rest. We should go."

Regina stood "You are right. If I'm getting up early to go work out I should get to bed."

Emma asked seriously "Do you think sexy accent guy will be there again?"

"I don't know. Now, get out," Regina said laughing. They all hugged goodnight and Regina promised she would call them if anything happened. As she straightened up and rinsed out the glasses she secretly hoped he would be there because this time she'd get a good look at him.

She almost didn't go – one too many glasses of Champagne. But when her alarm went off at 7:30 she forced herself to get up. She shouldn't feel this hung over from a few glasses. Regina feels like she is getting old. Which of course is a ridiculous notion considering she's only thirty-five but she still can't help but feel that time is slipping away from her. She hates to admit it but she's lonely. After dragging her butt out of bed, getting dressed and grabbing a quick bite to eat she heads down to the clubhouse. She lives at the top of the complex so she always drives. Maybe, one day when she was feeling in better shape she'd walk down but not today. When she arrived she noticed the lights were already on in the gym. She walked inside but then took a step back when she noticed him – sexy accent guy. She hid for a moment and took a good look. She felt her stomach jump and even though she was only looking at him from behind she could tell he was definitely attractive-very attractive. She almost turned around and left but knew running away wouldn't be the answer. So Regina faced her fear and got on the treadmill right next to him. She felt his eyes on her and he paused his machine "Good morning." He said as he took a sip of water from his tumbler.

"Hi."

"How are you?"

She rolled her neck "Tired actually."

"I can understand that," he replied. Regina wasn't sure if she should keep talking to him so she started her machine and began walking. He did the same and she noticed a few times that he was staring at her. She decided not to put her ear buds in. She thought she'd be able to focus on her run but with hot British guy next to her it seemed her workout was in jeopardy. She amped up the speed and decided she needed to turn things up a bit in order to get through it. Hot guy turned off his machine after a few moments and wiped it down. She prayed he would leave so she could finish on a positive note.

After 30 minutes Regina was soaking wet and abruptly stopped her treadmill. She turned around and noticed he was on one of the weight lifting machines. She felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she concentrated on wiping her machine down and grabbing all of her things. Just when she was about to leave she stopped and took a good look at him. He wasn't watching her so she basked in the moment. After all, she couldn't let down Emma and Mary; they would want to know what he looked like. She let out a breath - he was gorgeous. There was no denying that. He was in wonderful shape. She watched his arms as he lifted, his muscles flexing and her heart literally skipped a beat. He had short brown hair and blue eyes. God his eyes were … he looked up and smiled. He caught her staring. Regina cleared her throat, turned around and high-tailed it out of there. She thought she would die of embarrassment. She was practically running when she heard him calling after her "Wait!" He was following her out to the parking lot. She turned around when she heard him approaching "Wait," He said as he finally caught up to her "My name is Robin."

"You ran out here to tell me your name?"

"Yes, but I wanted to know yours as well," he admitted.

"Regina. Regina Mills," she replied.

He stuck out his hand "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," she said as she took his hand. They stood for a minute and Regina finally broke the silence "You must live close by. I don't see any other car here besides mine."

"You are correct. I live in the newer section. So, I walk."

"I live up on Brook Hill-hence the fact that I drive."

"I don't blame you."

After a few more seconds of silence Regina said "Well, I should go."

"Of course I don't want to keep you."

"Bye Robin."

"Goodbye Regina. It was very nice to meet you." He smiled and it went straight to her gut. She turned around as calmly as possible and got into her car. She watched as Robin headed back toward the clubhouse. She sat for a few minutes and tried to catch her breath. It had been so long since she'd been physically attracted to someone like this. She placed her head on the steering wheel "Shit," she whispered. She already wondered when she'd see Robin again.