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“I’m going to give you a month probationary period. It means I won’t charge you, and if you decide this isn’t for you, you can, of course, leave at any time.”
“Okay,” Maddie said.
“I will start tonight if you are free. We can take your measurements, set goals. I will arrange a brand-new diet for you. I warn you, Maddie, I get results for those who want it.”
“I want it,” Maddie said.
Jase looked her over and nodded. “Then I guess we better get to it.”
The next hour was horrible. Bull’s breakup was still the most mortifying event of her life. She didn’t allow herself to think about him as she stepped on the scales or as Jase wrapped a measuring tape around her body. He didn’t show any sign that he hated what he was doing, or what he felt about her.
She turned left and right, moved around as he asked her questions.
Each machine scared her even more than the last, until finally, they sat back in his office. She clasped her hands together, trying not to feel sick.
“Do you have any goal in mind?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
This was all spur of the moment to her. She hadn’t planned to come to the gym at all.
“I want to start with you straight away. Tomorrow is Thursday, so that’s what we’re going to be working on. We’re going to start with a warmup, getting your body used to exercise.” He wheeled back toward his filing cabinets and opened the bottom one. “And this is the diet plan I’d like you to work on.”
He handed it to her.
“Minimal fat and carbs,” she said.
“Yes. I would also recommend changing to wholemeal with everything. Pasta, bread, rice, that kind of thing. All the details are in the paperwork.” He reached for a business card. “Here is my number. If you are in any doubt, all you have to do is call me. I will warn you, Maddie, I like to be hands-on with everything. Do not hesitate at all. I’m the best friend you never had.”
She held the card in her hand. “Okay,” she said.
“So, I will call for you tomorrow morning.”
Her gaze widened. “Morning?”
“Yes. We will go for a morning run, and then tomorrow afternoon, say around six, you will come to the gym. We’ll start at one hour and see how we go.”
“Yes, of course. A run and gym time.”
He chuckled. “Remember, you can end this at any time. I’m not going to force you to do something you don’t want to do.”
“It’s not that at all. I want to do this.” In fact, the more he talked, the more she wanted to.
“Good. Welcome aboard, Maddie.” He stood and offered his hand.
She shook his and stepped back. “Thank you.”
“I’ll see you out.”
She quickly checked the time. A good hour and a half had passed. There wouldn’t be any sign from Bull and his crew now, surely.
Jase walked her out of the gym, and she noticed it was completely empty and the doors were locked.
“I’m so sorry for keeping you so long.”
“Please, don’t worry about it.”
She nibbled on her lip. “I didn’t mean to keep you so long.”
“Maddie, it’s fine. I run a business and I know to help people who come at all hours of the day and night.” He winked at her. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Right, yes, of course, you will.” She forced a smile and turned on her heel. The card in her hand felt heavy for some reason, but she kept on moving.
Walking across the street, she headed back toward the diner.
She hadn’t been so lucky. Bull and his crew were straddling their bikes near the diner. They weren’t allowed inside but there were other takeout places available.
She shoved her hand back into her jacket, ignored them, and walked around the back. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, but she ignored the impulse to look behind her.
Running up the steps to her apartment, she grabbed her keys, jammed them in the lock, and flicked the catch.
Maddie slammed the door closed and leaned against it.
“It’s fine. I’m fine.”
The curtains were open, and she rushed toward them and drew them closed, stopping herself from looking down at him. He didn’t deserve her attention, and she kept the curtains closed.
“I’m fine. I will always be fine.”
She walked past the kitchen and went straight to the bathroom. Staring at her reflection, she saw the darkness beneath her eyes. She didn’t look well-rested.
Removing the waitress uniform, she glanced at her body in the mirror and hated what she saw. It was the first time she had ever done that.
Now she saw what everyone else did, and it shamed her.
She stepped beneath the cold spray of the shower.
Soon, no one would be able to throw what she looked like in her face.
