Chapter Five

“Fantastic!” Spencer enthused at her non answer, standing up and clapping his hands together excitedly. “Let’s get to working out!”

“Uh, now? Today?” Lucy stalled, still sitting woodenly in her chair.

“Yes, now, today!” Spencer said, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? C’mon, let’s go!”

Lucy looked at him skeptically. “This is kinda like a first date. I haven’t decided if I want a second date with you yet.”

“What are you talking about?” Spencer asked, grabbing one of Lucy’s hands and hauling her out of her chair. “I’m totally second date material. We’re doing this. Get on the treadmill.”

Lucy groaned inwardly, but slowly walked over to the Treadmill of Doom and looked at it skeptically, Spencer hot on her heels. “Will it… will it hold me?” she asked, her voice tiny.

Spencer snorted. “This sucker will hold the World’s Strongest Man. Enough excuses. Get on there. Incline one, three miles an hour.”

After about ten minutes, Lucy was sweating profusely and thinking up really hateful names for Spencer, most of which started with the F word.

He was still Mr. Peppy and Excited, moving the speed up and down, coaching her, cheering for her – and annoying the crap out of her. She was sure he was horrified by her lack of fitness, but at least he was hiding it well. But did he have to been so damn... cheerful?

“Am I…” she breathed heavily, “the biggest, grossest client you’ve ever trained?”

“You aren’t gross, and no, I’ve trained much more obese clients – with results,” Spencer said pointedly. “Sounds like we need to work in a little positive self speak with our Total Body Solution.”

“Still think that’s a… stupid name…” she breathed, and he grinned.

“And just think, in a few months, you’ll be singing the praises of TBS to everyone you know. ”

“Sparkly… Unicorn is still… my vote…”

“Okay, just for that, I’m adding another two tenths to your speed…”

A few minutes later, Lucy guzzled from her water bottle, grateful to be back on solid ground, the treadmill now silent. “Are we done?”

“Nope,” Spencer said, sounding positively gleeful. “We’re gonna do some free weights.”

“What’s the worst name a client has ever called you? Because I’m thinking up some doozies right now…”

But, Lucy had to admit she was kinda proud of the fact she did several reps of every arm exercise Spencer had her try. Sure, the weights probably weighed less than a can of soup, but it was something.

Yesterday, she never would have even tried, but today, with Spencer’s encouragement, she was… feeling proud and even a little accomplished.

She was toweling off her face when Spencer walked over and gave her a high five. “So, do we have a second date?”

Lucy bit her lip, and then nodded. “If you’re willing…”

“I’m more than willing. This is going to be fun – you’ve got great potential, even if you don’t see it yourself. You’re much stronger than I thought you would be. We’ve got a lot to work with, here,” Spencer said, sounding sincere.

“Well, then, okay. I guess,” Lucy said, her voice toneless.

“Wow, that was so much enthusiasm, I might faint,” Spencer said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Shut up.”

Spencer smiled. “Now, important question. What kind of trainer do you want?”

“The non existent kind,” Lucy retorted, sticking her tongue out at him.

Spencer laughed, and then continued. “Seriously. Do you want the yelling drill sergeant, or the warm fuzzy encouraging one? Or something in between?”

Lucy didn’t hesitate before answering. “I like the warmer fuzzier option better. I tend to do better with encouragement rather than with shaming or yelling. I’m a pretty centered, mellow person. Yelling doesn’t really help, unless you see that I really need it,” Lucy said.

“Fair enough. Now, I want you to go home and keep doing those stretches I showed you, take some aspirin now to head off muscle ache later, and drink lots of water for the rest of the day. Hydration is key – and will help get some weight loss primed and ready for when you work in the food plan. You did good work. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Lucy squeaked. “I don’t get a day off?”

“The more you put it off, the longer your transformation here at the Sparkly Unicorn will be,” Spencer deadpanned. “Seriously, tomorrow. What time?”

Lucy mentally reviewed her calendar. “I’ve got massages scheduled at ten o’clock and one o’clock… can I come over around three?”

“Sure, I’ll see you then. There’s no key or anything – I’ll always be here to let you in. Here’s my number,” Spencer said, handing her a business card, “if you need anything or need to reschedule, okay?”

“Okay,” Lucy said. “Um, thanks. I know I was kinda bratty…”

“You were scared,” Spencer interrupted. “It’s a natural defense mechanism.”

“Still, you were nice about it. Thanks. And thanks for…” she gestured around. “You know, this. Taking me on. Everything.”

Spencer smiled that wide, dimpled smile. “See you tomorrow, Lucy.”

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