Page 72 of Christmas with my Three Best Friends

“I cannot believe it,” Shay says as she steps out of her office.

We’ve made a new habit of having coffee in the lounge area on a daily basis so our staff and clients can see us together—the four of us, leading the gym and the business on a united front. Nobody except Cassandra knows about our relationship, and we intend to keep it that way. Some things are safer and easier to protect when they’re out of the world’s sight and mind.

I’m seated on one of the gray velvet love seats, waiting with a fresh coffee for Shay while Jax and Marius are busy brewing theirs.

“What happened?” I ask.

She takes one of the armchairs closest to me, smoky-blue eyes twinkling as she spots the coffee. She knows it’s for her, so she just gives me a soft nod and a wink, placing the cup on the table. Her phone is on the coffee table between us, constantly buzzing.

“I’ve got ten new clients,” Shay says. “Not that I regret coming up with the new marketing plan, but holy hell, did I underestimate its appeal or what?”

“Having you as the face of a glow-up campaign pretty much sealed the deal,” I chuckle softly.

“How’d you rope me into that? I forget.”

“I ate you whole for two hours straight,” I whisper, fully aware her panties are about to get soaking wet upon hearing my words and remembering that particular night. “It’s not like you mind. Is it?”

Shay blushes bright pink and holds back a smile. “Not at all. It’s just that my phone keeps ringing and pinging. Everybody wants a nutritionist who can prepare them for the gym, for personal trainers and that kind of jazz. I didn’t expect this kind of success. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, but holy smokes…”

“You’re an inspiration,” Marius says, smiling as he and Jax join us. “People feed on true stories. They’re inspired and motivated to do the same for themselves. Jax and Richard and I could spend our whole lives setting healthy lifestyle examples, sure, but we’ve never been through the wringer like you, Shay. People relate better to you, which is why the campaign is so successful.”

“Our membership has gone up and then some,” Jax adds with a cool grin. “I’m pretty sure we’re covering six months’ worth of rent just from this month’s sales.”

Marius nods his agreement. “It’s a veritable boom. We may need to hire a second nutritionist, though. Someone who can work with Shay on the regular food programs so she can focus on the glow-up clients who come in via this marketing campaign.”

“Wow, I didn’t think we’d do that so soon,” Shay exclaims, genuinely delighted.

I love this look on her, this sheer joy glistening in her eyes, shimmering all over her skin. It’s as if she is breathing and living happiness. I love seeing her happy and successful. It brings out the best parts of her. I love every part of her, anyway. The good, the complicated, the wonderful, the darker side… All of it. I love her. And I’m glad I wasn’t dumb enough to actually go through with my original escape plan. I would’ve missed out on this.

“Hey, it’s the boon we’ve prayed for,” I chime in. “The hurdle we needed to cross in order for West Key to thrive and no longer require any financial assistance from yours truly. It’s what we deserve.”

“How many clients can you even take on?” Jax asks Shay.

She goes through her phone, where I assume she has a list, a calendar, and a plethora of other related documents she needs to keep track of everything. I love the subtle frown of her light-brown brows as she checks something, full and glossy lips slightly moving.

“I’ve got about thirty so far, but I think I can cram up to about fifty. I’ll be doing group consultations, though,” Shay says. “I wouldn’t be able to hold space for anything more, so Marius may be right about hiring another nutritionist.”

“I’ll put the word out,” I say. “The sooner we have your regular clients switched over to the new guy or gal, the easier it’ll be for you to keep implementing the whole program.” I smile brightly at her. “I’m proud of you, Shay, have I told you that lately?”

Shay’s lips twist into the sweetest smile. “Not since last night.”

“I’ll say it again tonight, then, on top of this one, right now. I’m proud of you,” I reply.

It’s been like this for a few days. Since we came back from Canada. Warm eyes, warm souls, warm smiles. This constant sense of knowing everything is going to be okay, one way or another. It is going to be okay. That’s not just wishful thinking anymore—each of us is actively working toward that result, toward peace and bliss, the sweetness of waking up and simply loving the idea of a new day that’s about to unravel, a day we’re going to spend growing and living together, one way or another.

We almost didn’t make it.

Looking back now, I’m ashamed to admit I was ready to give up on something so real and so wonderful. But I’m emboldened by my desire to do better. Shay is opening up to us like a flower in bloom. Every petal is a joy to discover, soft and silky and sprinkled with magic. I was so used to being myself, a solitary wolf in otherwise good company, I almost missed Shay gliding past me like the goddess she truly is.

It’s time for me to step up and bring this union to yet another level. “I need to show you guys something,” I say, grabbing my car keys. “We’ll take my car.”

“What about the gym?” Shay blurts out, understandably confused.

“Meh, Lyle can cover for an hour. Don’t worry about it,” I reply.

“I’ve got clients,” she insists.

I nod at her phone. “Text them and tell them you’re gonna be late. We’ll be done quickly, I promise.”

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