Shine With Me (With Me in Seattle 15.5)

“I guess I hadn’t thought of it like that. I felt bad for dumping all of my regulars onto the other trainers.”

“Did they complain?”

“No. It’s giving them extra income, as well.”

“See? It’s a win-win,” she replies as she fills baking tins with batter. “I have to make extra chocolate and lemon today.”

“Why is that?”

“Leo Nash requested them. It’s Sam’s birthday, and he wants to surprise her. It’s sweet.”

She marks something off on a checklist.

“What else is bothering you?” she asks.

“Does something have to be wrong for me to stop in and say hi?”

“That’s usually the case,” she says.

“I can’t put my finger on it,” I reply and push my hand through my sweaty hair. “I’m just restless.”

“The last time you were restless, you moved from Wyoming to Seattle.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not moving. Maybe I’m just anxious to get started on this new job.”

“Maybe you need to get laid.”

I shrug a shoulder. “Who the fuck has time for that?”

“Everyone, if they make time. You could always visit Club Temptation one night. There are plenty of solo women in the club.”

I shake my head. Nic confided in me years ago that she and Matt frequent Club Temptation and that Matt is some kind of master with ropes and bondage. I’ve been curious in the past, but not enough to go.

“I’m good.”

“Maybe you need a vacation.”

I laugh and shake my head. “I don’t need you to solve anything for me, Nic. I just wanted to come by and see you. It’s been a few weeks.”

“You’re always welcome to stop by. Want one of these strawberry champagne cupcakes?”

“Sugar will kill you.”

“Me, yes. Because…diabetes. But you? No.”

“All of us.”

“One cannot survive on chia seeds and kale alone, Ben. Live a little.”

I laugh and walk toward the back door. Just stopping by to see Nic always lifts my mood.

“I’m good with my kale. Have a good day, Nic.”

“Don’t be a stranger!”Chapter Two~Sabrina~I hate road trips. So many of my friends love to get into their cars and drive to fun destinations on vacation. I’m like, take a plane! You get there faster, have more time to enjoy wherever you are, and it doesn’t suck.

I sigh and pop a Frito into my mouth. I’m not usually a junk food person, but what else is someone supposed to eat while driving hundreds of miles? I can’t exactly sit here and eat a salad.

I bring up my best friend’s number and call Zane, letting the audio flow through my car’s Bluetooth.

“Why are you calling me?” he asks by way of greeting.

“I’m bored.” I slump in my seat. “Talk to me.”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m driving up to Seattle today. It doesn’t look that far on a map. Why does it take six hours to drive it?”

“Too bad you can’t just wiggle your nose and be there,” he says and swallows. Sounds like he’s drinking something. “Are you excited?”

My first call after hanging up with Luke the other night was to Zane. Not only is he my best friend, but Zane and I also grew up in the business together. We started out on a sitcom playing siblings before we even hit puberty. We’ve been tight ever since.

And when I left LA, Zane skyrocketed in fame. He’s currently the most sought-after actor in Hollywood—as famous as Christian Wolfe or any other hot name in the industry.

I’m stupidly proud of him.

“I’m nervously excited,” I reply. “I haven’t acted in over a decade. What if I suck at it?”

“You don’t,” he replies easily.

“And what if the trainer is a complete asshole?”

“Luke wouldn’t hire an asshole,” Zane says. “I hear you crunching on something. What are you eating?”

“Fritos.”

“Probably won’t be on your diet, sugar.”

“I know, but I’m driving for like…days here, Zane. What am I supposed to eat?”

“Yeah, you’re not dramatic at all.”

I smirk, enjoying this easy banter with my friend. It makes the miles go by so much faster.

“What were you doing? And if you tell me you were getting laid, I’m hanging up.”

“I don’t have the time or the patience for a woman, and you know it. I was doing my pull-ups.”

“How many can you do?”

“Twenty-five before I have to rest.”

“Whoa. No wonder you look all buff in the movies.”

He laughs in my ear. “It’s all part of the job, as you know. They pay us a lot of money to look a certain way.”

“Oh, I remember distinctly. And I won’t fall back into an eating disorder to be a size two, Zane. I. Will. Not. Do. It.”

Throwing up, counting calories, practically killing myself and still it not being enough is something I’ll never do again.

“I’d have to smack you around if you did. There are healthy ways to tone up. You don’t have to be a size two.”

“Tell that to the casting directors,” I mumble.

“You bypassed that route this time, Rina. You’re going to be great. But you’re going to eat a lot of avocados.”