with us just standing here, sweetie.”
I give Hannah my best wide-eyed help me look as I pass her, but she just chuckles under her breath. Traitor.
“So, who’s the guy?” Tad asks, his other hand patting my forearm.
“Um…”
“He was the best man at her wedding,” Chelsea calls out, walking with Hannah behind us.
“Oh!” He turns his head and his gaze finds Hannah for a second. “The body always wants what it shouldn’t. Right, Han?” His eyebrows waggle.
“Quiet, Tad.”
Chelsea moves her finger sideways between the two of them. “What are we missing?”
“Nothing.” Hannah shoots Tad a look of warning. “We’re here for Victoria.”
“Right.” He stops when we reach a long reception counter, takes my hands and pulls them out, taking in my body again. “First. You’re gorgeous, honey and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“Thank you.” I smile at him in appreciation.
“But anyone can use some cleansing and a detox. All that bloating will disappear, and your skin will look ten years younger, fifteen in candlelight.” He lets my arms drop and heads to a cabinet, taking out several bottles and placing them on the counter.
“Three, right Hannah Banana?” he asks, never turning around.
Chelsea and I laugh at his nickname for her, but she glances our way quickly and we rein ourselves in.
“Yes, we’re doing this together,” she says.
He looks over his shoulder. “I love the girl power thing, ladies. Which reminds me, did you secure that venue for the gala? I can’t wait. Zak wanted to head to New York that weekend, but I said, nope, my girl is coming out in style and I need to be there to support her.”
“Tell Zak I’ll make it up to him,” Hannah says, and the warmth and appreciation in her voice can’t be missed.
“Come on now. I love when I get to make things up to my man.” He winks at us while he positions all the pill bottles he’s removed from the cabinet in three different piles in front of him. “’Kay, so here’s the deal. We’ll do a cleanse and you girls come here every night or at lunchtime, whichever you want. Shake and a probiotic for breakfast, sensible lunch and a shake for dinner. Actually, I’ll bring you girls lunch to make it easier, so I know you’re staying on track.”
Chelsea grabs the box that says strawberry smoothie, reading over the ingredients. “I’m all for health, but—”
“It’s good for the body.” Tad winks and Chelsea shrugs.
“You’re awesome, thank you,” Hannah says as she watches him bag up the supplies.
“Well, don’t thank me yet because you’re going into the locker room and changing. I have a class in twenty minutes and you girls are going to be in it.”
“What?” I ask, not prepared.
“Here.” Tad steps around the counter and leads us to a shelving unit filled with workout gear. “Hannah,” he says, throwing some clothes over his shoulder. “Chelsea.” A pair of pants land on her head before she catches them. “Vic.” I’m prepared and manage to catch my clothes. He turns, his finger padding his lips. “Shoes.” His eyes light up immediately. “Sizes?”
“Can’t we just start tomorrow?” Hannah asks.
“No, time is of the essence.” He claps his hands in front of him twice. “We have until Friday, right?”
I nod.
“You get changed and I’ll be right back.” He walks toward the door of the supply room. “Go!” he says, and we scramble to find our way.
We follow the signs to the changing room and each set our clothes on a bench that runs down the center of the room.
“Tad’s nice.” Chelsea strips down in front of us. I don’t know why I’m surprised to see she has zero inhibitions about nudity. “These are so soft.” She touches the fabric.
“We’ve been besties since high school. Opened this gym a few years ago. His partner Zak is awesome, too. They make a great couple.” Hannah folds up her clothes and places them in a nice pile in an empty locker.
I can’t help but notice how pretty and feminine her lingerie is. Lace and satin. Probably La Perla. Trying to hide my cotton bra and panties, I hurry and get in the yoga pants and endorsement apparel Tad gave us.
Reed comes from the same type of upbringing that Hannah does. Is that what he’s expecting of me? A woman who is always put together? God, I hope not.
My phone dings in the locker.
While Hannah and Chelsea talk about Tad and Zak and how they met, I check to make sure the call isn’t from