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Friday evening, August 13

Have I underestimated Randy? Or am I having an identity crisis? A working girl has no business falling for a personal trainer -- that's for rich, bored married ladies. But, as Randy and I walked back to my building, his protective aura caught me off-guard.

This big dumb "teenager" -- as I've always called him -- was genuinely concerned about my safety. As ever, he remained unaware of my disdain for him -- but now I was glad.

"Randy," I asked, "haven't you ever heard that you should never be the bearer of bad news?"

"Nope," he said with a shrug. After a cynical smirk, he added: "Sounds like something straight out of 'How to Win Friends and Influence People.'"

Nancy Chan: Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl appears in Health & Body every Monday and Thursday. + About Nancy Chan: Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl -- with links to all episodes to date. + Read the Diary from the start.

As we walked along First Avenue, Randy looked around, hoping to catch sight of the stalker -- but the mystery creep was nowhere in sight. Randy made no effort to hide his curiosity. He wouldn't survive in a corporate environment for more than one day, I thought -- but why compare this simple hunk of physical virtue to, uh, Matt? It's not that Matt's uncute. When I go out with Matt, I see the looks that he gets from other women. But Randy arouses more basic feelings.

"Feel better?" he asked, touching my arm for a split second. "That guy really shook you up."

"Do you have a sister?" I suddenly asked. I could still feel the shadow of his touch.

"Two," he answered, "They're at home with my mom. How about you?"

"I'm the oldest," I offered, "I never had ..." My voice trailed off.

"A big brother?" he said, "I can tell. You're very -- "

Next page | Randy's Stairmaster analysis