Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 87629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87629 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
If I keep working the same muscles, the pain will go away, and I’ll be stronger.
Frankie kept telling me that, and I knew she was right.
And Michael told me that, too.
He also asked if he could see me outside of the gym, but he never called.
So I call him.
“Mandy Thomas,” he says into my ear.
“How do you know it’s me?”
“Your name comes up on my screen. Like it does for all my contacts.”
The warmth of my blush. Embarrassment swirls through me. “Oh. I guess I didn’t realize you had plugged in my name as a contact.”
“I plug in everyone as a contact.”
“Oh. Of course.”
“What can I do for you?”
“I’d like to book another session at the gym with you.”
“It’s been more than a month, Mandy. I figured you weren’t interested.”
“I am. I need to get in shape. I should’ve come back after the first session. My bad.”
“I get it. You were probably in a lot of pain.”
“You don’t even know.”
He laughs. “Of course I know. Everyone knows the pain of a new workout. Especially trainers.”
“I guess I’m going to be in pain again because I want to try again. This time I want to commit. I need to make a commitment to bettering myself. Stepping out of my comfort zone.”
“Getting stronger will always enrich your life,” he says. “But it does come with pain.”
This time I laugh. “You’re not kidding.”
“I have some time next weekend. Or I’m open a couple evenings a week as well if you want to come in after work.”
“I actually work from home, so I’m flexible. I was thinking maybe sometime in the morning.”
“Looks like I have Monday morning free. Ten o’clock?”
“That’ll be great. What do you suggest for breakfast?”
“I’d keep it light. Some protein and some good carbs. Maybe an egg and whole grain toast. Maybe some avocado.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you Monday at ten.”
Good. I’m going to better myself, beginning with a workout on Monday. Now what the heck else am I going to do today?
Turns out I don’t have to wait too long to decide, because Frankie calls.
“You’re not going to believe what happened,” she says. “The bridal shop just called. The designer has discontinued the bridesmaid dress I ordered.”
“And they couldn’t tell you that a month ago when we ordered them?”
“Some snafu with the manufacturer. I don’t know. But now we have to choose a new one. Can you come today? This afternoon? They’re opening up special for us on a Sunday.”
Why not? Not like I have anything else to do, since Jackson didn’t call.
“Sure. I can be there, Frank.”
“Great, I really appreciate this, Mandy. Three p.m. at the shop, okay?”
“Got it.”
…
At three o’clock on the nose, I walk into the shop. Frankie is already there.
“Where are the others?” I ask.
“Neither could make it on such short notice,” Frankie says. “We have all their measurements. You know, from the last time.”
“Yeah, but that means they won’t have any say in what we choose.”
“I guess they trust my taste.”
Frankie does have amazing taste. Plus, this way, I’ll be able to steer her toward something that looks amazing on my body as opposed to Isabella’s supermodel lithe body and Gigi’s healthy posterior.
The owner of the shop, Martha, hurries toward us. “I just want to apologize again, Francesca. This hardly ever happens.”
“It could only happen to me,” Frankie says dryly.
“We will find you something just as spectacular. More so, even.”
“All I ask is that we stay in the same price range. I’ve already cleared the price with my other bridesmaids, and I don’t want any issues. My parents will be paying for Mandy’s dress.”
I widen my eyes. “They will?”
“Did I forget to tell you? Sorry about that. Yeah, Mom and Dad are footing the bill for the entire wedding. Including your expenses.”
“They don’t need to do that.”
Though it does help, since I’m a little tight from the last month.
“I’ve got some potential dresses laid out for you,” Martha says. “Come on back to the fitting room.”
The first dress is a light-pink sheath that doesn’t fit well at all. “If you like this design, we can alter it to fit your figure.”
“It’s up to Frankie,” I say, “but honestly, this isn’t really me.”
Frankie bites her lip. “It’s beautiful, but I have to agree. I want Mandy to feel comfortable.”
“It’s your wedding, Frank.”
“You’re my sister. If you’re not comfortable, I won’t be happy.”
Sometimes my little sister surprises me. She really is a good person, and she deserves so much better than Pendleton Berry.
But I keep that little gem to myself.
The next dress is light pink and cocktail length, with a wider skirt, cinched waist, and a beautiful sweetheart neckline. It’s definitely a bridesmaid dress—not one of those dresses, like Frankie’s original choice, that you can wear again, unless you go back in time for your high school prom.