Page 11 of Fit for Love
“Have a great time.” I smiled—the early days of dating were fun.
“What are you doing? Oh, wait, I’m guessing something to do with chickpeas and yoga, right? Get yourself back on track.”
If I was totally honest, that was the last thing I felt like doing. There was a small part of me that had enjoyed being off track and enjoying some things that were bad for me.
“Piper’s cooking dinner for Mal, Ethan and I tonight. So no yoga.”
“Who’s Ethan?”
I hesitated. “Oh, he’s Mal’s best friend. He’s staying here too.” I remembered how he’d gripped my upper arms that morning, a strength that had never been evident from Orlando. I’d felt safe.
“Is he single?”
“Honestly, Louise, like I told you yesterday, I’m not exactly rushing to get back out there in the relationship stakes. I need some time on my own first.” As I said the words, I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince, Louise or myself.
Louise laughed. “Sure, I understand. Guess it doesn’t hurt if there’s some eye candy around though. Take care, hon. I’ll speak to you again soon.” And she was gone.
Eye candy.Hmm, yes, Ethan definitely provided me with that.
Dinner that evening was a fairly low-key affair. Piper cooked a meat bolognese with pasta and a vegan bolognese with gluten-free pasta. I was touched by her efforts to make sure I had things to eat, even after my confession that morning. My diet was another thing I needed to address. I had a hankering for a small glass of red wine with dinner, something I hadn’t done in years. But did I truly want to throw away all those years of health and well-being that had made my career? Did Gwyneth post pictures of her swigging a glass of wine? No. She’d post something with her drinking matcha tea. Feeling resentful, I stuck to the elderflower presse that had come from the local farm shop.
“How was your day, Cora?” asked Ethan, before he shovelled a large forkful of the pasta and sauce into his mouth. “Are you feeling better?”
I wished I knew how to answer that question. If by better, he meant was there less of an ache in my stomach from the food and drink, then yes, I was a little better. If he meant was there less of an ache in my heart, then I was a hell of a long way from being better. I settled on something non-committal.
“Maybe.”
“Therese came over and sorted out all Cora’s work commitments,” Piper chipped in. “So she’s free as a bird for the next month.”
“And you’re welcome to stay here for that time too,” added Mal. “Don’t think you can’t.”
I appreciated his generosity. There weren’t a lot of ex-boyfriends who would take pity on their ex and welcome them into their home. Not to mention their girlfriend being so supportive too.
“Thank you.” I gave them both a smile, pushing the food around my plate.
“So what are you going to do with all that free time?” Ethan took a gulp of his beer, his green eyes fixated on me.
Involuntary goosebumps sprang up on the back of my neck from his look and I tried to ignore them. Sometimes I hated my traitorous body and its reactions.
I went for the vague approach again. “I don’t know yet. I’m taking a break from blogging for a while, I know that. And I need to keep my fitness levels up.”
“Well, I can help you with that if you’d like? I have a few PT clients.”
“You? I don’t want to look like a female bodybuilder!” My gaze scanned his muscular body, no doubt honed from hours in the gym, pumping iron.
The corner of his mouth quirked up. “I don’t only do weight training; in fact, this evening I was helping a young woman with sculpting and toning.” He emphasised the words ‘young woman’, which was purely for my benefit, I was sure.
“Ooo, yes, you two should start working out. Maybe you can do YouTube videos together, take people on a combined exercise journey,” suggested Piper.
“Let’s not get carried away, Piper,” I said lightly. “I’m sure Ethan isn’t interested in that, and besides, I’m taking a break from social media.” I met Ethan’s eyes. “Although if the offer of training is there, I’d like to take it up?”
He nodded. “Say the word and we can arrange something.”
“Then let’s do it.”
Getting back on track with my health and fitness, with the help of an extremely hot guy. Suddenly, staying in Westbourne Water had a purpose.
Chapter Seven
