Page 40 of Truce Of The Matter

“Was that before or after we marked it?”

“Before but definitely my most favorite place after.” She smiles and I can help but smile knowing I’m able to bring her some happiness right now. “Are you running?” she exclaims, as if she just noticed.

“Yes,” I say as I lower the speed from six to three to slow my pace as I talk.

“You work out every night?”

“Nah, not every night, but I try to get some type of workout in a few nights a week, either strength training or cardio.”

“I have the Tonal and I can’t remember the last time I used it.”

“The wall exercise thing? Where? I don’t remember seeing it.”

“That’s ’cause it’s in my guestroom. I need to move it in here or in my room. It’s so out of sight and out of mind. I paid too much to let it just collect dust. It’s far but my snack is close,” she says then turns around. When she faces forward again, she has food in her hands.

“What’s that?”

“The best snack in the world, graham crackers and peanut butter. It’s so good. Too good actually. It goes straight to my thighs and they are getting out of hand.”

“Oh, I disagree with that. Ain’t nothing wrong with those thighs. Use the machine but skip the thigh shit.”

“That is so crazy. I can’t skip the squats.” She adjusts a little and stretches one of her legs out. Then she pulls the throw from behind her and drapes it across her arms. “Where’s Aryel?”

“Knocked out. Wednesdays are long and she normally crashes once we get home.”

“She’s such a sweetheart; smart and so well spoken.”

“Too smart sometimes but she gets that from my mother. Plus, we talk all the time and I never used any babytalk when she was younger. She’s still my little girl though.”

“You can tell. She is amazing,” she says and my chest swells.

“She feels the same about you. You worked your magic on my baby. She wanted me to ask you to come to her competition this Saturday. It’s at eleven in Diamond Falls.”

“Aww. I would love to come but I can’t this Saturday. Daija is leaving and we are having breakfast before I take her to theairport. Tell her I’m so sorry but I’ll definitely come to another one.”

“I’ll let her know.” I stop the treadmill then place my hands on the rails while I steady my breath. “What are you doing Saturday night?”

“Whatever you want. I’m free.”

“Then I’ll scoop you at seven.”

“And where are we going?”

“Whatever I want. Ain’t that what you just said?”

“Don’t use my words against me. I just want to know how to dress. That’s all.”

“Just be sexy. Your usual.” I step off the treadmill with my phone. “Hold up,” I tell her. Then I take off my sweat drenched tee. After tossing it across my shoulder, I pick my phone back up and hold it.

“You took your shirt off,” she comments.

“Yeah. I’m 'bout to head up and take a shower.”

“Then I’ll let you go.”

Not wanting to end our conversation yet, I say, “Nah. I’m not in there yet.” I leave my little gym then trek to the kitchen. After I grab a bottle of Powerade, I head to the stairs. “How long are you going to be up?”

“At least through one episode ofThe Equalizer. I’m tired and have a lot to do tomorrow,” she says and I notice a slight shift in her eyes.

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