Page 59 of Just the Wrong Twin

“Maybe I’ll need a bodyguard.” They laughed together, a sure sign that Cassie didn’t expect that particular result. “I also sent you an outline for the first five sessions with the moves we’d cover in each one.”

“I saw that. It’s great, a terrific introduction, very gentle but powerful, and a solid increase in effort.” Cassie nodded. “How about you add a bit about the stretches, about where they’ll be felt strongest? We want to assume that we’re dealing with novices and even those with some experience may need a reminder.”

“Okay.”

“We’ll do close-ups for that, like you’re talking right to them. I’ll send the file back to you with some places flagged that are natural places to expand, in my opinion, but follow your instincts. You’re a good teacher, Sonia, and don’t need me to sit on your shoulder.”

“I could use your advice, though,” Sonia said and Cassie looked up. “Not just about the class. You’re wearing a #MeToo shirt.”

“Yes.” Cassie exhaled the word and took off her glasses to study Sonia. “It was in high school. A long time ago, but it’s still hard to talk about it.”

“But you just own it,” Sonia said. “You’re so confident and sexy.”

Cassie considered her. “Are you a mini-me in a way I don’t know about yet?” she asked gently.

Sonia nodded. “It’s why I was heavy. I wanted to stop being a target.” She took a breath. “I wanted to disappear.”

Cassie nodded. “I dressed like a boy for a long time.”

Their gazes held and it was a potent moment, even though they weren’t in the same room.

“And now you’re ready to take sexy back,” Cassie said. “You always look neat and feminine, Sonia, but there was something different at the wedding. More verve. I liked it a lot.”

It was great to be acknowledged and understood. Sonia nodded again, more glad than ever that she’d ended up at this particular club.

“I think you have to just do it,” Cassie said. “You’ve already started. You need to be fearless, or act like it, even when you’re terrified.” She smiled. “People respond to confidence, even if it’s just a show. Most of them don’t know the difference. It’s just the first step out of the shadows that’s the hardest. You’ve started and I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks. You’ve inspired me.”

“It’s funny because I wondered why you didn’t want to teach like this, but it never occurred to me that we shared that history.” Cassie made a face. “I don’t want anyone to share that kind of experience, but in a way, that feeling is part of it, too. I felt so alone for so long, as if I was the only one who’d endured that. I was ashamed and I blamed myself, even though it wasn’t my fault. I was the victim.”

“Yes,” Sonia agreed. “That’s it exactly. A big part of the healing process involves sharing the truth and discovering that we’re not alone. That helps dismiss the shame.”

“Spoken like one of my favorite therapists,” Cassie teased and Sonia smiled. “I think you’ve totally got this, Sonia. You’re always gentle and understanding, and you listen. Let’s go with the idea that we’re making this podcast for women like us, women who think they’re alone, who blame themselves and are maybe ready to shed all that crap.” She tapped her pen. “Have you thought about wearing a #MeToo shirt? It’ll send a message before you say a word.”

The idea of declaring her past experience publicly, of wearing it on her shirt, was startling to Sonia but she knew by the force of her reaction that it was exactly the right choice. “I hadn’t but I will,” she said.

Cassie smiled and put her glasses back on. “We look good for the pitch at Wednesday’s meeting. I hope Shannyn isn’t busy having a baby yet: she’s got the best eye of everyone we use on camera and I want this to totally rock.”

“Me, too,” Sonia said and they laughed together as her unexpected double entendre.

“This could be big, you know,” Cassie warned. “Really big. You need to be ready for that.”

Sonia’s heart skipped a beat. “I am,” she said, knowing she had one last thing to do first to make her confidence complete.

Asking for what she wanted was proving to be addictive.

She’d wait until Wednesday to call Nate and proposition him, with the hope that she had good news about the podcast to share. In the meantime, she had scripts to write.

* * *

Locks,locks, locks. There were more kinds than Nate had realized, and each one was a delicious puzzle in itself. He was having a blast with the online course, which alternated instruction with simulated—and timed—tests.

Three days into his new job, he couldn’t imagine working for anyone else. He ached after Angel’s workouts and he’d started lists of Troll’s succinct bits of advice. He’d pored over Regan’s floor plans and pointed out some weaknesses for the bridal shopping expedition on the weekend, and had been proud to find one that Troll hadn’t noticed. There was something about the one proposed apartment for Mrs. Rashid that bothered him, but he knew he had to go there to assess its importance. Lisa had narrowed the search to two apartments and he was going to do a drive-by later in the evening. It felt as if everything was coming together.

This lock was the toughest yet, even in simulation, but he was going to nail it. He’d timed out on his first try and was going through the coursework again, checking for a detail he’d missed, when his phone rang. He was so engrossed that he didn’t even look at the number before answering. It was probably Lisa, confirming the time for his drive-by.

“They approved it!” Sonia said, her excitement clear.

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