“Let’s do it.” He sat back in his chair and glanced down at my phone buzzing on the table.
“Kelsey again?”
I finished the beer and peeled the label. It was a reply from B, and I silenced it. “Nah, but Pearl is arranging a meeting.”
“I wonder what she wants.”
I did not understand why Kelsey was so eager to talk. Even when we were together, she never wanted to chat. When we first met, Kelsey seemed like the girl I thought I needed—serious, self-sufficient, and cooler than I was. She didn’t rely on me for anything, and that felt like a relief for a while after leaving home, but that cool turned colder and colder. We hadn’t spoken once since the breakup years earlier.
Cord shook his head. “Kelsey on top of everything else. When you have a bad day, it’s an epically shitty day.” He held up his beer. “Another?”
I waved a dismissive hand. Another drink would mean feeling even worse in the morning, and this was already more than I usually had. The worry I’d end up like my mom was always resting at the bottom of every drink.
“I got tonight, then.” He pushed up from his chair and strode to the bar to close out our tab. I examined my decimated beer label and scratched off the residue. The distraction didn’t last long before I unlocked my phone and clicked on the FitMi notification.
From: Bmoney34
To: FitMiCoachWes1
Sent: February 8, 8:54 p.m.
You get a pass for having a bad day and being a few beers in. Anyway, I kind of like the name.
Goodnight, Tube Sock
Bubbles
13
LIKED BY KATKO AND 399 OTHERS
If any man ever wanted me the way I want this stranger’s cream cheese Danish, I’m not sure I’d walk again. I’m getting better at usually choosing foods that give me energy. For example, while lusting after a stranger’s pastry full of carby buttery goodness this morning, I took a bite of this very Instagrammable red apple full of nutrients. If I’m being honest, the nutrients didn’t measure up, and I debated if feeling a post-Danish sluggishness might not be so bad. #DecisionsDecisions
* * *
I SAT AT the Best Life conference table, having arrived on time with the donuts. The box was almost empty when our boss arrived. One of the recent FitMi activities had been to read a short article on checking in with your body. It had sounded a little fluffy when Wes suggested it, but it was more about paying attention to physical cues like feeling tired, hungry, and in pain. I’d had the bear claw halfway to my lips when I rethought the decision, because I actually wasn’t all that hungry. Instead, I tore off a small piece of the donut and set the rest on a napkin near my notes.
“Good morning,” Maricela intoned, as if calling us to worship at the altar of style and grace. Eager congregants that we were, we all sat a little straighter. Natalie gave some updates, including that Body FTW was increasing in popularity with consumers and advertisers. Claire and I shared matching cool smiles. Inside, I was doing a TikTok dance from my chat with Wes that morning.
From: Bmoney34
To: FitMiCoachWes1
Sent: February 13, 6:34 a.m.
Wes! I lost 2 pounds! I know, I know—you don’t want to focus on the numbers, but it’s my first numbers! Two pounds is nothing, but I’m so excited that I had to tell you. I did a little dance in my bathroom. Also, good morning. :） B
From: FitMiCoachWes1
To: Bmoney34
Sent: February 13, 6:39 a.m.
B,
I’m glad you feel good! Are you ready to step it up? New homework: not just 30 minutes of movement a day, 30 minutes of cardio （walking, aerobics, etc., to get your heart rate up）。 I sent you the information about target heart rate—focus on that and report back. I’m sure your dance class will hit the mark!
Tube Sock
P.S. If your valentine needs some ideas, here’s a link to some great alternatives to chocolates.
From: Bmoney34
To: FitMiCoachWes1
Sent: February 13, 6:46 a.m.
Alternatives to chocolate sound like cruel and unusual punishment. I’ll do a lot for you, Wes, but I draw the line there. But I remember . . . all things in moderation. It’s a moot point anyway. No valentine to speak of. Please give real chocolate to the person you’re seeing unless they’re also some kind of fitness freak, in which case flowers. No roses though—they’re boring.
B
From: FitMiCoachWes1
To: Bmoney34
Sent: February 13, 6:51 a.m.
B,
No valentine for me, either, but what’s better than roses?
W
From: Bmoney34
To: FitMiCoachWes1