Page 58 of Fit for Love

Not for the first time, I wish I’d spoken to Emma or some other friend about my secret project.I didn’t do so because I was embarrassed, doubly so because said gig has been the perfect cover for my family’s financial troubles.

Icouldtalk to Emma after she comes back from her honeymoon.

Nah.Not worth it.In some not-too-distant future, I will come up with my own designs and drop the side gig because I’ll have enough money to live on from the job of my dreams.

Speaking of designs, I don’t know if it’s Ashton’s proximity inspiring the idea, but what if I created something like athleisure clothes, but more versatile?I mean, brands like Lululemon make yoga and workout clothes that you can wear to the supermarket, but is it possible to take that a step further and create an outfit that you can wear to the gym, and to work, and even to happy hour afterward?

Maybe even something you can wear to a formal party?

If nothing else, that sounds like a fun challenge.

Yeah, the gears are already turning.It would have to be some kind of a jumpsuit.Hmm.Maybe made out of a stretchy and moisture-wicking material?A blend of nylon and spandex?

Yes.That could work.I’d have to find the perfect ratio.

It would also need breathable lining and a built-in bra.

I can almost see it.

Adjustable straps, of course.

A zipper that’s easy to hide.

High-waisted, with tapered legs, so you can wear it equally well with sneakers or heels.

I’d call it FlexiChic.

No.That sounds like a porn site for people with a gymnast fetish.

Maybe VersaWear?

A blood-curdling scream rings out from outside, and my first thought is that Bubba and Dottie have come back, and now he’s murdering her with a dull butter knife.

Ashton sits up.“What the fuck?”

Dottie screams again.

Ashton leaps to his feet and rushes outside.

“Wait!”

I reluctantly follow him, cursing testosterone as I go.I mean, who runstowardsuch a scream?

Once I’m out, I find Ashton sans Dottie or Bubba, and cursing very creatively in the faint light from the half-moon above.

A moment later, I hear one more “scream.”

No, not a scream.

It’s a call of a large bird that resembles a crane.And now that I see the source, the call sounds much less like a woman being brutally tortured via butter knife and more like a “kwee.”Which is a good thing.

“That’s a limpkin,” Ashton says.

“A limp what?”

“Limpkin,” he enunciates.“I saw one on the way here, but it was blissfully silent.Bubba did tell me they have ‘interesting’ calls.”

I grimace.“Leave it to that guy to redefine ‘horrifying’ as ‘interesting.’By that logic, this tour is very interesting.”

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