Page 38 of Paradise Pride

“Eight? Are you sure?” Florence groaned as she added weights and lifted the barbell into Manuel’s outstretched hands. “Fuck, that’s heavy.” His new home gym equipment had just arrived—a bench press that took up a third of the living room—and he was eager to test it.

“I can handle it.” Manuel blew out his cheeks and did four reps, then nodded for Florence to put it back on the stand. He breathed hard and shook out his arms. “Four more kilos.”

Florence raised a brow but did as he asked. It was almost too heavy for her to lift, and her arms ached just watching him. “Seventy kilos in total. That’s impressive.”

“Just wait till you come back next year. I’ll be doing competitions.”

“What competitions? Mr. Benidorm?” she joked. “In that case, you might have to get a spray tan. I don’t think you’re quite orange enough.”

Manuel chuckled and got up to stretch. “Nothing wrong with Mr. Benidorm. It’s a renowned bodybuilding contest.” He flexed his arms, admiring himself in the mirror, then headed for the kitchen.

“Right.” Florence followed him and saw he was making a protein shake. “No beer for you?”

“Not right now. I have to feed these bad boys.” He patted his arm, then added a pint of water and a slug of boxed egg white to the brown powder he’d scooped into his mixer. “Want one?”

“Gross. I’ll have a beer instead.” Florence opened the fridge and took one out. “Are you not going out tonight?”

“Later.” Manuel turned to her and frowned. “What are you doing home by yourself? You’re hardly ever home at night.”

“Meghan’s gone on a double date,” Florence mumbled. “Well, not a real one. Her friend, Kim, set her up, so she’s going with Kim’s fiancé and someone called Tiger, believe it or not. She has no interest in him, but I don’t like it, and I don’t know what to do with myself.” She sighed “I bet he’s all over her by now.”

“Who are you and what have you done to my friend?” Manuel stared at her like she was some rare species he’d never seen. “You’re saying Meghan’s having dinner with her friend, her friend’s fiancé and some random guy she has no interest in. That sounds totally acceptable to me. It’s not like they’re on a romantic date.”

“Yes, well, it still bugs me.”

“Oh boy, you’re in trouble.” Manuel snickered. “There is going to be drama when she leaves, and I don’t do drama.”

“I won’t bug you with it. It’s not your problem.” Florence picked at the label on her bottle. “Do you think he’s flirting with her?”

“With Meghan? Undoubtedly. She’s hot, so yeah, I would. I mean if I werehim,” he quickly corrected himself.

“Great. That makes me feel better,” Florence said sarcastically. She glanced at her phone. It was only eight o’clock, but it felt like midnight. “So, what are your plans later?”

“I was going to meet some friends in town, but I’ve changed my mind.” Manuel patted her shoulder. “I think I’ll keep you company.” He downed his protein shake straight from the mixer cup and put it back on the counter with a slam. “You’re acting weird, so I want to keep an eye on you,” he joked, then opened the fridge and took out a cold beer.

“Thanks. That’s sweet.” Florence glanced at him as they headed to the balcony. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

“What do you mean? I’m always nice to you.”

“No, you’re not.” Florence sat in her usual chair and propped her feet up on the balcony railing. Manuel was always about Manuel, and although they were great friends, she wasn’t used to him being so supportive. “You love making fun of me.”

“But not right now. You’re fragile.” Manuel met her eyes with a smile. “Look, Meghan likes you. I saw it with my own eyes at work, so why are you so worried?” He paused. “You’re cool and beautiful and fun to be around, and she knows that too.”

Florence chuckled. “Was that a compliment?” She poked him playfully when she saw him blush. “Do you think I’m beautiful?”

“Sure, I do.” He took a slug of his beer and leaned over the railing, his eyes darting to the strip club that was in the process of opening for the night. “But not in a hot kind of way. I don’t want to sleep with you if that’s what you think. You’re more like a little sister to me.”

“We’re the same age,” Florence said dryly.

“But you’re little in size. I could throw you over my shoulder.”

“Please don’t.” Florence laughed. “So, you think she’s just as much into me as I’m into her?”

“For the third time, yes, I do.” Manuel ruffled a hand through her hair and tapped her head. “Will you please stop overthinking? Just stop thinking in general. It’s not good for you.”

“Fuck off.” She pounded his hard abs with her fist, then screeched when he picked her up like she weighed nothing and threw her over his shoulder, making her beer spill all over them both. “Put me down, you idiot! Seriously, Manuel!”

“Nah,” he said cheerfully. “I’m going to do some squats now, and you’re the perfect weight to work out with.”

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