Page 84 of I Blame the Alcohol

I shrug, “I always knew one day I’d convince you to join me. My willpower is just too strong.”

She mumbles something under her breath as she takes the matching tank top and leggings, the crease between her brows prominent as she studies the fabric.

“Are you sure this is my size? It looks too small.”

I call over my shoulder as I head into my room to change, “Have I ever steered you wrong when it comes to outfits?”

“It’s probably best if I don’t answer that.”

“Put an end to this misery.” Lou flops to the ground, her baby blue tank top looking spectacular against the backdrop of the core mat.

“You haven’t done a sit up yet.”

“Sit up? Since when are we doing sit ups? I thought we were done the workout.” It takes every ounce of willpower not to laugh at Lou’s baffled expression.

“Hon, we just finished warm up.”

Lou gasps, “But we were running!”

I nod my head patiently, “You have to warm up your body before starting the hard stuff. We were only on the treadmill for ten minutes.”

Lou scowls and I decide not to point out that she walked for nine of those ten minutes.

“What are we doing now then?”

“Well, normally I pick different HIIT exercises to rotate through, but I thought we’d start with some easier bodyweight exercises.”

Lou gives me a blank stare and I sigh, “Let’s try doing a few sit ups and see how they go. Try for five.”

She starts with painful slowness, her knees knocking together each time she makes it to the top. My cheering goes a long way to put back the smile on Lou’s face, and by the time she finishes five sit ups, she almost looks like she is having a good time.

Lou beams, “Are we done now?”

So maybe not that much of good a time.

I shake my head, “You’ve got two more rounds and then we are going to do some dumbbells.” The smile slips from her face and the scowl makes a grand return.

“Do you want to know the fun part about dumbbells?” I motion for her to lean in, which she does, but not before giving me the evil eye.

“We can use the mirrors to check out the gym bros.”

Lou looks at me quizzically, “I thought you and Cody were a thing now?”

I wave my hands impatiently, “It’s not about the guys themselves, it’s about admiring physique. Cody would appreciate my appreciation.”

Lou gives me a disbelieving look, so I play my final card.

“The best part is watching grown men pose to themselves in the mirror. Even the unfit ones do it, it’s like a free-for-all vanity contest around here.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I am dead serious. Take a look for yourself.”

Lou scrambles to stand beside me, and I nod over to the weight section across from us.

“Blonde in the left corner. Red shirt, black shorts. Looks like a swimmer with those lats.”

We watch in anticipation as the Dorito-shaped man finishes his hammer curls, drops the weights to the floor, and casually turns to the side, watching his arms pop with the infamous Mr. Universe pose.

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