Shine With Me (With Me in Seattle 15.5)

“I can cheat?”

“A little. If you’re craving something, do it all on that one day. Your body can’t hold onto everything you consume in that day. If you spread it out over the whole week, you will hold onto the sugar and fat.”

“That makes sense. Okay, I’ll save it.”

I end up ordering the burger with a lettuce bun but no side. If I can’t have dressing, what’s the point of salad?

When we’re done eating and leave the restaurant, I turn to walk back toward the gym, but Ben stops me.

“I want you to meet someone. It’s just across the street.”

I look over and see a cupcake shop. Succulent Sweets.

“I’m one hundred percent sure this isn’t approved for my diet plan,” I say as we cross the street.

“No, ma’am.”

“If you take me in there, I’ll hate you.”

He smirks and opens the door for me. “No, you won’t.”

I glare and walk in ahead of him. The luscious smell of chocolate and cherry and all of the goodness in the world assaults my nostrils.

“Hate with a passion,” I mutter as we walk through the dining room to a long, glass counter full of rows and rows of delectable cupcakes. “I’m coming straight here on cheat day. Screw cheesecake.”

“You’re a fan of sugar, then?” Ben asks.

“Isn’t everyone?”

“Not me,” he says with a shrug and then grins at the pretty brunette behind the counter. “Hey.”

“This is a nice surprise.” She walks around the counter to hug Ben. “What are you doing?”

“I wanted to introduce you to Sabrina. This is Nic, the best friend I mentioned earlier.”

“Nice to meet you,” I say, offering my hand.

“Oh, and you’re the new client.” Nic smiles. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

“Nic is related to Luke Williams by marriage,” Ben says, surprising me.

“It’s a huge family,” Nic adds. “I’m married to Matt Montgomery, who is sort of a brother to Luke’s wife. It’s a story.”

“They’re all a little intimidating but very nice.” Ben smiles. “We just had lunch across the street, and I thought we’d pop in for a minute.”

“Can I get you anything?”

I whimper, making her laugh. “I’m on a strict diet plan, but I was just informed that I get a cheat day. You can bet on the fact that I’ll be here on that day. This all looks amazing.”

“I would love that,” Nic says. “In fact, why don’t the two of you come to dinner with Matt and me? Does Friday night work?”

“Is that my cheat day?” I ask Ben.

“You can pick the day,” he replies.

“Yes, Friday works,” I agree. “Thank you for asking us.”

“I’ll bring cupcakes. What flavor is your favorite?”

“All of them. I’m literally not picky. If it has sugar, I want it.”

“I’ll bring an assortment then.” She flashes a big smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Sabrina.”

“Same here.”

We leave the bakery and just start down the sidewalk toward the gym when I start to laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Ben asks.

“Is it wrong that I’m going to work my ass off this week so I can have two cupcakes on Friday?”

“No, that’s the point,” he says.

“What do you eat on cheat days?”

“Pizza. Pepperoni pizza.”

“Mm. Pizza.”Chapter Four~Ben~“So, he tried to kill me this week,” Rina says as she takes a big bite of homemade pizza. The cheese is long and stringy, and she sticks out her pink tongue to catch it.

I’ve discovered that she also sticks out that tongue when she’s pushing a heavy weight, or when she’s maintaining her balance.

I’ve dreamed about that tongue.

Among other things.

“I think that’s his job.” Nic winks.

“Well, if so, he’s good at it,” Rina replies. “I could barely sit on the toilet yesterday. I had to get about halfway down and then just let myself drop. I don’t think I’ve ever been that sore.”

“It means it’s working,” I remind her and reach for another slice. Nic knows that pizza is my cheat meal, and she makes the best pepperoni I’ve ever had. She even makes the dough from scratch.

She’s the best friend there ever was.

“It should hurt less and less as time goes on,” Matt says. He walks behind Nic and runs his hand over her short hair, then gently squeezes her neck before sitting beside her.

“Not for a while yet,” I disagree, earning a glare from Rina. “This is literally your only job right now.”

“I know.” She sighs. “And I’m not a complainer. But does it have to hurt so much? At least Luke’s paying me well for the role. I can help a lot of girls with that money.”

I narrow my eyes on her. “What do you mean?”

“I meant to ask you what you do now that you’re not acting,” Nic says.

“I run a nonprofit down in Bend,” Rina replies. “I gather supplies for kids. We do a monthly drop-off at every school. Feminine hygiene products for girls whose families can’t afford or don’t bother to supply them at home. And each week, we put together snack bags for kids at all of the schools.”