Page 44 of My Trainer Neighbor
Three months later
I was spotting Mrs.Ashworth through her last set of leg presses when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
"Don't you dare check that," she said, her face red with exertion."I'm paying you obscene amounts of money to focus on me, not your girlfriend."
"I would never do that," I said, grinning."I’m not letting you get out of doing your last two reps."
She finished the set with a grunt."There.Happy?"
"Ecstatic.You just added ten pounds to your max."
"Flattery will get you everywhere."She grabbed her towel, dabbing at her face."Now check your phone before you vibrate out of your skin.I can see you're dying to."
I pulled it out.Email from Nicole with the subject line: YOU NEED TO SEE THIS.
I opened it to find a link to aNew York Timesarticle about small business marketing trends.And there, quoted as an expert, was Nicole Delaney, founder of Delaney Marketing Consultants.
Pride surged through me so hard I had to sit down on the bench next to Mrs.Ashworth.
"Good news?"she asked.
"My girlfriend just got quoted in the Times."
"The one who quit her fancy corporate job to go out on her own?"At my nod, she smiled."Good for her.That takes guts.You should take her somewhere nice to celebrate."
"I plan to."
After Mrs.Ashworth left, I had back-to-back sessions with two CEOs and a Broadway actress, all of whom Tommy had connected me with.The Elite job had been everything that had been promised.Good pay, great clients, actual stability for the first time in years.
But the best part was finishing my day and knowing I was going home to Nicole.
Well, going to my shoebox apartment where Nicole had been spending most nights anyway.But still.
I was toweling off after my own workout when my phone rang.Nicole.
"Hey, baby.I saw the article.You're famous."
"I'm quoted once.That's not famous."But I could hear the smile in her voice."Although David emailed me about it."
I stilled."Your old boss David?"
"Yeah.He wanted to congratulate me."She paused."And ask if I'd consider coming back."
My stomach dropped."What did you say?"
"That I'd think about it.But Shawn, I already know the answer."
"You do?"
"I'm not going back.Three months ago, I would have jumped at that offer.But now?"Her voice softened."I have six clients who trust me.I'm building something that actually matters.I'm making less money and working just as hard, but I love what I'm doing."
The relief that flooded through me was almost embarrassing."You're sure?"
"I'm sure.I didn't leave to go back.I left to become someone different."
"Someone better," I said.
"Maybe.Or just someone more honest about what I actually want."Another pause."Speaking of what I want, can we talk tonight?I have something I want to discuss."
