Page 19 of His Candy Cane (Sweet Treats 1)

“I didn’t even know this was in the works,” I said, stammering a bit. “What an incredible idea.”

He grinned, gripping my hand tightly.

“I know, but a lot of fitness entrepreneurs have had the same thought. We all want to get into supplements because that’s where the real money is. Think about it, baby. I’m only one man, so I have limited time to see clients for personal training. But the supplements won’t be like that. Potentially, we’ll be able to sell an unlimited amount, both through my shop, my on-line store, here at the gym, and also on various platforms. I’ve already applied for a vendor account on Amazon, and I just got approved.”

“That’s amazing,” I breathe, my eyes wide. “But what sets your supplements apart from others? The field must be so crowded.”

Patrick nods seriously.

“Good question. I put a lot of thought into this, and it’s the fact that every single part of my supplements is natural and organic. Did you know that the shells encasing vitamins are often made of artificial ingredients? Sometimes there’s even plastic in there. It’s soluble plastic, but it’s still a man-made material. But my supplements are different. They’re Mr. P approved, and they’ll do your body and the Earth good.”

I clapped my hands with enthusiasm.

“Okay, sign me up. I’m your first customer.”

Patrick threw his head back and laughed, squeezing my thigh with approval.

“Sweetheart, I’m not going to make you buy my stuff because for you, it’s all free. In fact, you’re an example of what dedication and hard work look like, Maisie. You’re fit, fabulous and absolutely glowing with health. Heck, you could be a model for my supplements line.”

I flushed because my boyfriend was just kidding around. I’m nowhere near model-shape. In fact, I’m pretty much the opposite. Although Patrick doesn’t realize it yet, I’m actually pregnant, which is part of the reason why I’m glowing. My cheeks are round and pink, and my belly is already bulging just the tiniest bit from our child.

But no one knows because I’ve always been a big girl, and so my curves are expected. Personal training hasn’t caused me to lose any weight at all, but I’m not disappointed because Patrick has helped me change my mindset so that I’m more focused on being strong and healthy, as opposed to being slim. He’s such a groundbreaking entrepreneur, and so supportive too. I can’t wait to tell him the news that he’s going to be a daddy soon.

But my parents are another story. Lorraine and Henry should be over the moon because for the first time in my life, I have a boyfriend. This is why they got me the personal training sessions in the first place: so that I could slim down and attract a man. But when I told them I was dating Patrick, they were curiously unenthusiastic. In fact, I almost thought they didn’t hear me at first.

“Mom, Dad, I have a boyfriend. A real boyfriend, and it’s my personal trainer from the gym. Remember him? Patrick.”

My dad squinted at me while shaking out his paper.

“You mean from Mr. P’s CrossFit? That guy?”

I nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes, Patrick is Mr. P, get it? P is for Patrick.”

My dad smiled vaguely.

“Oh right. How are those personal training sessions working out for you?”

“Fabulous!” I enthused while doing a twirl. “Patrick has whipped me into great shape, and even better, we’ll be moving in together soon. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Before Henry could speak, Lorraine butted in.

“But honey, isn’t this happening really fast? You did just meet him, after all.”

I stare at her.

“Mom, the reason you bought me personal training sessions is so that I could meet a guy. And now I have! Sure, I know you didn’t expect my new guy to be the personal trainer himself, but why does that matter? I’m going to move out, and get out of your hair. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Lorraine hemmed and hawed while looking down at her hands. Finally, she let out a huge sigh and met my eye.

“It’s just happening so quickly, Maisie, and we want what’s best for you,” she said as my dad nodded in agreement. I was completely floored. Why weren’t they raising the rafters with cheers? I thought that me moving out was their ultimate goal so that I could go on to have a “meaningful life” following “a woman’s natural path.” Their goals for me had actually come true, so why weren’t they more enthusiastic?

But I couldn’t get Lorraine and Henry to do anything but nod distantly, even as I began to pack up my childhood bedroom. Who knows? My parents have always been strange people, and this was just the latest twist in their idiosyncratic behavior.

Patrick assured me not to think twice about it

“Trust me, baby girl, it’s about money and nothing more.”

---