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"Veronica Ocean," the second does the same.
After everyone is introduced to Barley and spend a few minutes cooing over how cute he is, they settle into a discussion about cardio workouts, heart rate zones, and fat burning expectations. It's an age-old debate and one that Clover handles effortlessly. I just sit back and watch as she patiently explains the ins and outs of the different theories on the subject and, ultimately, why any kind of exercise is better than none and the goal should always be health and increased cardio capacity.
I'm surprised she doesn't promote the classes she offers, but listens to everyone's concerns and makes recommendations that suit what most interests each of them, even if it means sendingthem to a pole dancing workout two towns over - Ellery - or a boot camp a local hiking guide leads - Veronica.
By the time they get up to leave, hurrying off to get back to the library in time for story hour, Clover's made three new friends and those friends seem excited and uplifted about their fitness journeys, even though no one officially won their debate.
"Why didn't you tell Laura about the 5k running class you're doing?" I ask as soon as Clover and I are alone again. "She seems interested in training for longer runs."
Clover doesn't meet my eyes. "She didn't say anything about doing a race, just increasing her endurance. She has my card. If she calls and wants to work with me, I can offer that class."
I push my chair back and move into the now empty booth across from Clover. I might suspect she's got something against training men who dress in drag, but she didn't seem at all uncomfortable chatting with the two performers and she didn't suggest any of her classes or personal training to Ellery, either, and she easily could have.
In fact, she suggested books on fitness for the three to read on their own and offered to create a training plan for Laura free of charge. If this is how Clover operates her business, it amazes me she has a business at all.
"How often have people taken advantage of your generosity?" I ask gently.
Clover had been looking around the diner, probably hoping to flag down a waitress, but her gaze laser focuses on me. "What are you talking about?"
"What you said before about people taking advantage. You're so generous with information when you could have easily convinced those three to become your newest clients. Have people taken advantage of that generosity in the past?"
Her expression goes ice cold, shutting me out. "I wasn't talking about people taking advantage of me, Aldridge, so putyour pity away. I've found that being pushy isn't a great start to a working relationship. If Ellery, Veronica, and Laura want more help, they'll remember my good advice and come back to me."
I'm about to argue that's not a great working model for a business, but Honey walks up, smiling. Her black hair is in two long braids and the diamond stud in her nose sparkles in the sun streaming in through one of the big diner windows. "Hey, y'all. You ready to order? I would have come over earlier, but you seemed to be having a pretty intense conversation."
"Hey, Honey." Clover gives her sister a genuine, warm smile. "How's it going?"
Honey collects the bill and tip Ellery and her friends left on the the table. "So far so good. Diana agreed to sell my Bigfoot mugs."
"That's awesome."
"Really?" I ask. "You're going to feed the myth about Bigfoot when Grant's so pissed about all the extra tourists getting lost in his woods?"
Honey widens her eyes. "Myth?" She glances at Clover her eyes twinkling. "I guess I'm not convinced Bigfoot is a myth, but even if he is, why not have fun with it? Isn't that what life's all about?"
"Not sure Grant would agree with your idea of fun," I say. "But I'd love a Bigfoot mug. It'll go great with my collection of palm tree mugs."
I almost catch Clover smiling at me, but she swallows it before I can be sure.
"Great," Honey says. "I'll bring it by the gym sometime later this week. I've only made six so far and they're all spoken for."
"No problem."
"What can I get you to eat right now?" Honey asks.
I look to Clover to indicate she should order first.
"I'll have my usual."
Honey chuckles. "You've eaten here twice, Clover, you don't have a usual."
"But I ordered the same thing both times."
Honey taps her head. "I've got a lot of information up here, but what you ordered two weeks ago isn't part of it."
"That's fair, I guess. My usual is an egg white omelet, loaded with all the veggies you got, a bowl of fresh fruit, and hash browns."
"Right," Honey says without writing anything down. "The same as Asher's usual."
