Unexpectedly Expecting the Sheik's Baby - Elizabeth Lennox Page 0,8
rare when Ella could meet them for class, but whenever Ella was home, the three of them made the most out of their time together.
Naya walked in next, breathless and tugging her shirt down over her hips. Naya was the most voluptuous of their group, and also the shyest. She fought her natural instincts to retreat into her own world, wanting to be more extroverted. Naya was brilliantly creative, and preferred her world of colors and subtle marketing tactics.
Cassy looked at her two friends, not really sure what to say. In the end, she simply grabbed at the first excuse she knew they would accept. “I was in a meeting all day with Darren. First thing he said this morning, before the clients arrived, was that we should get a drink at the end of the day. I told him that I had plans.” She shrugged and pulled her arm to one side, stretching barely used muscles. “These are my plans.”
Naya and Ella shared a glance, and shuddered with revulsion. “He is such a slime ball,” Cassy grumbled to no one in particular, staring straight ahead even though the aerobics instructor was still sifting through her music near the sound system.
Naya had to agree, having heard about Darren before. He was a sexual harassment lawsuit just waiting to happen. “Yeah, be careful around him. He’s slimy and skeevy, who knows what he’d do.”
Cassy clenched her teeth. She didn’t want to repeat Darren’s other comments after the lunch break. She needed to think about what Darren had said and talk herself back from the brink of fury. She needed to calm herself down and bury all of her hurt and anger because it wasn’t productive. Men like Darren were slime. Nothing more.
Cassy thought about telling Naya and Ella about Mr. Ferocious. But for some reason, she couldn’t do it. Was it…perhaps…that her conversations with the man were…maybe a little special? Special and personal?
Good grief! What was she thinking? Her interactions with the man hadn’t been special! They’d been…nerve-wracking!
Cassy shook her head. “You are in so much trouble,” she muttered to herself.
Instead of lingering on the exciting sensation of talking with the tall, dangerous man, Cassy focused on Darren’s obnoxiousness. Turning, she watched Ella and Naya stretching, preparing for the aerobics class.
With a huff, she grumbled, “It isn’t fair that he gets to make the female population miserable simply because he’s closer to becoming a partner.”
Ella and Naya smiled, glancing at Cassy, who had already staked out her position on the hardwood floor, obviously eager for the class to start. “Yeah. I think someone should do something about that,” Ella said pointedly, raising her eyebrows.
Cassy would have said something more, but the aerobics instructor slipped her microphone over her head and called everyone to get rowdy, trying to pep up the class participants. The three of them lined up among the other participants as class started.
Fifty-five minutes later, Ella and Cassy stumbled after Naya as they headed out.
Naya bounced, energized after class, while Ella and Cassy lurched as best they could down the street. Ella and Naya didn’t work close by, but they’d driven to Cassy’s building and parked because it was the garage closest to the gym.
“See you guys!” Naya called, waving as she headed for her car.
Cassy stood by her own car, sweat still soaking her shirt as she stared at the door handle, wondering if she had the strength to get in.
“You okay?” Ella asked, heading towards her own car, which was parked a few spaces away.
Cassy stood there staring at the door, barely able to nod her head.
Ella walked slowly over to her friend, also staring at the door handle. “Why aren’t you getting into your car?” she asked.
Cassy stared at the door for another long moment, willing the door to open on its own. Unfortunately, it didn’t comply. Darn shame, she thought as she sighed. “I can’t lift my arms,” she admitted.
Ella laughed weakly. “I was afraid you were going to say that. I was going to ask you for a ride because I can’t lift mine either.”
The two women nodded to Naya as she drove out of the parking lot, looking completely refreshed and revived. “Why do we let her drag us to these classes?” Cassy asked.
Ella chuckled. “I think you chose this one, my friend.”
Cassy grunted, her only indication that she disagreed. “Well, next class, I’m going to watch you guys while drinking one of those strawberry smoothies while sitting against the wall.”