Page 35 of Fragile Love (Fragile 3)
He responded quickly. Best gym ever. She started to message him back when a photo of some gym equipment came through. Staring at it for a minute, she gave up.
Try as I might, she told him, I can’t name one of those machines. Where’s the treadmill?
Obviously, I have a lot more to teach you, came his message.
I’ve learned about flowers and gardening from you, sir, but when it comes to exercising, I’m lost. I’ll take a good old-fashioned workout in the bed anytime.
Count me in with that! Hey look, I’m with your favorite person. She waited for the photo to come through, and it shortly did. It was a photo of Katharina, looking as gorgeous as ever as she posed on a bench next to some weights.
“How does she look so beautiful?” Lillian murmured to herself. Deciding to play along, she set the phone on the coffee table in the living room and put on the self-timer, running to lounge on the couch before it took the photo. She laughed out loud to herself when she saw it. “Ridiculous,” she muttered, and sent it to Cayden.
A stream of photos came within the next few minutes, most of them Katharina bench-pressing and one of Cayden’s hand holding a big dumbbell and of course flexing his bicep. Scrolling through the pictures of Katharina, looking elegant every single time, Lillian’s smile faded. Katharina definitely knew how to angle her body and always make a level face. No wonder she had so much attention from the public and from guys; everything about her was perfect.
Los Angeles seems like it only works for beautiful people, she thought bitterly. Of course, Cayden would do well living and working there full-time.
Another photo came through, this time a selfie of Cayden and Katharina. They were both making silly faces, but of course she still looked like a model. Lillian looked at it for a long time, absorbing every detail. He looks so good next to beautiful women. I just don’t get what’s so special about me.
He loves you, came the voice of reason in her head. As usual, it sounded like Amelia’s voice. Don’t get negative about this.
Lillian grappled with her emotions for a minute before texting him back. More of you, please!
Very quickly, her phone beeped again. She opened the photo and felt her heart pound. Obviously, Katharina, with all her knowledge about angles and positioning the body, had taken it; Lillian was glad she got to receive the picture, but knowing Katharina was alone in the gym with Cayden—looking as hot as he did—darkened her mood.
Maybe that’s how he feels about me being alone with Andrew.
She couldn’t take her eyes off the picture, though. He just looked so damn fine, casually leaning against the rack of weights in Katharina’s fancy personal gym. The muscles in his arms and chest were rippling beneath his tank top. His hips were poking slightly forward, and he was flexing his thighs. The gym shorts he was wearing accentuated his lower half in all the right ways; she felt desire pulse hot through her body.
Come home quick so I can devour you. How did I get so lucky?
I ask myself the same thing every day, came his response, and she could almost hear his laugh—the one that lightened up any self-absorbed comment he made.
I’ll pretend you mean that about me, she texted back with a wink.
I absolutely do. I also mean it about myself.
Get back to your workout and call me later! I have some work to do now.
He sent another photo, again taken by Katharina. This time he was kneeling in front of a treadmill that had an endless number of buttons and tiny screens. He was making a sexy face but giving the camera a thumb’s up.
Found your treadmill, his message read, and another one came through right behind. Hi, dear!
She knew it was Katharina. Hey! How are you?
I miss you so much, darling. My friends are asking about your availability. Please let me know when you can come.
I will, she replied. I’m taking care of Andrew now but as soon as I’m free I’ll tell you. Thank you so much again for helping me before.
Good. Tell me. The message was simple and there was no goodbye. Cayden followed up. She’s not one for formal greetings or farewells.
I know, Lillian sent. It’s funny but it still throws me off every time.
You’ll get used to it the longer you know her. I need to head off now, too. Call you later.
Don’t let the hot Los Angeles models get you, she typed, and debated for a second if she should send it or not. She did.
What hot models? You’re the only one catching my eye. He sent a heart, and Lillian smiled as she set her phone down.
Don’t worry about it, she told herself, setting her eyes on the birds out the window again. Just wait until Friday.
