* * *
WHEN I FINISHED class, sweat running down every crevice on my body, I collapsed on the bench in the corner of the room. Helen’s new routine had been a tough one. I didn’t expect to have my butt kicked so thoroughly after a year of having taken the class.
Chugging my water, I glanced at the grayed-out mailbox icon—no new messages. Wes hadn’t responded since our exchange about the flowers, and I wondered if asking him where he lived was too personal.
Helen, a petite woman in her seventies, joined me and stretched. Her flexibility was amazing, and she loved to tease me. “You’re getting better.”
I self-consciously started my new stretching routine, trying to remember the video tutorials Wes had encouraged me to emulate. “You think I’m still the weakest link in the class, huh?” I slowed my breath while unsuccessfully swinging my leg up behind me to catch it and stretch my quads.
“Of course, but we’ve all got forty or fifty years on you.”
I watched the woman effortlessly raise her leg. I gave up on my stretch and silently promised Wes I’d do it when I got home.
“You always tell it like it is.”
“No other way to tell it.” She patted my back and finished her stretch. “I’ve got to get ready for my date. Get out of here and go enjoy Valentine’s Day.”
* * *
OUTSIDE, COUPLES HOLDING hands strolled down the sidewalks like it was a lovely May evening and not a frigid February night. They were apparently warmed by their love. Blech. My gym bag slung over my shoulder, I hurried into the cold to catch a bus.
I wondered what Ben was up to. He didn’t like Valentine’s Day, saying it was a Hallmark holiday and people made too big a deal of it. I actually loved the idea of a whole day to celebrate love.
My phone pinged then, and I smiled.
From: FitMiCoachWes1
To: Bmoney34
Sent: February 14, 7:49 p.m.
B,
Just for you, I got fiber-rich, low-sugar, low-fat, low-flavor Mockolate instead.
I’m in Chicago, too. Hi, neighbor! How was your Valentine’s Day? Looks like you got a good workout from what you added on the app.
Wes
From: Bmoney34
To: FitMiCoachWes1
Sent: February 14, 7:51 p.m.
Is Mockolate a real thing? I think I’ve only heard of that from an old episode of Friends.
Good to know you’re close by in case I need to ping you if I break something keeping up with the badass retirees in my hip-hop dance class.
Uneventful V Day, just work and my hot date with these ladies. Jealous?
B
P.S. Your company should get a chat function—would be easier than the email messaging, though you’d get tired of me faster.
After the short ride to my stop, I hustled to my front door to escape the cold and swirling wind. I peeled off my clothes once inside my apartment. Though taking off a sweaty sports bra was the kind of challenge invented by a masochist, I’d earned this state of disgusting. Before I stepped into the hot shower, I glanced at my phone.
From: FitMiCoachWes1
To: Bmoney34
Sent: February 14, 7:53 p.m.
I don’t know if Mockolate is a real thing outside of Friends. Seems like it should be, though. If I find some, I’ll get it for you.
Am I jealous of you bumping and grinding with them? I plead the Fifth.
Good idea on the chat, and I’ll mention it to the tech people. I don’t think I’d ever get sick of messaging you, though. We can use Chat App, if you want. I’m at WesTheBear.
Mockolately yours,
T.S.
Under the stream of hot water, my muscles relaxed. I weighed his suggestion, debating if moving into a messaging conversation was ethical. There was nothing especially unprofessional about it. We’d still be talking about him coaching me. Chatting just seemed more personal. That’s why I’d suggested it—imagining being able to have real-time conversations that felt like conversations versus emailing back and forth. I could keep a conversation on track, and we’d have no reason to veer off into something else. I let the bodywash run into the drain. Unless he kind of likes me . . . I squashed the thought. Chatting was just easier; it wasn’t like we’d be meeting in person, and it might give me good new material for the project.
When I stepped out and pulled on my robe, I typed in his screen name.
Bmoney34: WesTheBear? Are you particularly burly and bearded?
I pulled on a T-shirt and a pair of flannel boxer shorts I’d kept from a boyfriend in college.
WesTheBear: Just a Bears fan. Your question illuminates why I’ve been getting so many invitations for dates on here for so long.