“As predicted. Polly is probably out buying furniture for the nursery right now. She insisted that they have a room for the baby at their house for when they babysit and so she or he will have a comfortable place to sleep when we’re having dinner there or whatnot.”

Cassie burst out laughing. “Yeah, like that baby will be put down in a crib with Polly around. I’m glad you’re doing it first. Between Polly, Edward and those boys, you’re never going to be able to hold your own baby.”

“I’m happy for you. You and Kyle are going to be such great parents.” Liv smiled.

“And you two will be the best aunties a baby could ever wish for.”

“Free babysitting for life. What girl could ask for more?” Liv winked. “So when do we start the childbirth classes?”

Maggie laughed. “We’ve got a few months. I’m gonna need you to take a heavy hand to keep the delivery room clear.”

“You got it, ace, I’ll be your hired muscle.” Her best friend and the person she loved most in the world was having a baby. Wow. They were all growing up and life was changing.

A pang sliced through Liv as she wondered when and if she’d be having a baby with a man who adored her as much as Kyle did Maggie. No one had ever looked at her that way, with such love and adoration, she had no real frame of reference at being cherished.

* * *

Marc looked down from his place on the ladder to see Olivia walk in.

“Hey there. What brings such a beautiful lady into my gym on such a nice day?”

She looked up and they locked gazes a moment. “You’re just a jack-of-alltrades, aren’t you? You’re an electrician too?”

“Oh this is pretty simple stuff. The lights look better when they’re set into the ceiling instead of hanging, I think.” Finishing up, he came back down and put his toolbox aside. “What can I do for you?”

“Do you have room for another client? I’ve been feeling winded and out of shape doing simple stuff and it’s harder for me to maintain my weight than it used to be. So I figure I could use your help.”

And she was helping keep his business afloat too. He warmed, thinking about her wanting to help him out.

“I don’t see an ounce of fat on you. And I think I’ve looked closely enough.” He winked and she laughed. “Well let’s sit down and talk about your goals and what you’re looking to do with yourself.”

He interviewed her and got a better idea of the kind of services she’d need from him.

“I’m not going to let you slack, you know. I’m a tough taskmaster.”

“And I’m not some weak little girl either. I can take it and my ass and upper arms need it.”

Craning his neck, Marc checked out the area in question. “Honey, your ass is just perfect. Do you want to work out here or at your place?”

“I don’t have the equipment at home so I guess here.”

“Well, let’s get some measurements then.” He stood and indicated the scales.

“Do I have to?” She blanched.

“I don’t know why women are always so freaked by the scale. It’s just one indicator and it doesn’t mean anything at this stage. You have nothing to worry about. Now come on.”

“Should I take my shoes off?”

“Do you want to? It’s not going to make much of a difference you know. If it makes you feel better, you go on. I bet you have pretty toes anyway.”

Marc was very matter-of-fact when he worked with clients. He didn’t coddle or pump up egos for no reason. He gave praise when it was due, and criticism in a constructive manner.

She sighed and stepped on the scale. With her shoes on. He liked her grit.

“You’re well within normal weight range for your height.” He took a body fat measurement and then brought out a tape measure to get her arms, legs, waist, hips and chest. Taking all the numbers down.

He discussed targets with her and they set up a schedule.

“I’ll give you the family discount,” he said, reaching for her credit card. “If you’re not satisfied at the end of one month, I’ll give you a fifty percent refund. But you have to work at it.”

“You are not giving me a discount. You just started your own business. Later, when you’re a mogul here in Petal you can give me a discount. And I told you, I’m not afraid of hard work.”

“I like the set of your mouth when you get uppity.” He gave her the family discount anyway and watched her as she walked out the door and to her car. He jogged to the door.

“Hey!”

She turned and waited.

“Walk tomorrow. You have enough time to get home from work and change out of your clothes. Walk and it’ll be a nice warm up.”

He couldn’t help but love the way her eyes narrowed at him and her hand cocked on her hip. But she only nodded and got in her car, and he laughed as she pulled away.

“Feisty.”

* * *

As promised, she showed up the next night—on foot. The walk wasn’t that far and she found that the time enabled her to get rid of her day and begin to focus on working out for herself.

“Good evenin’, Olivia.” Marc handed her a key. “This is for the locker in the dressing room. You can stow your stuff in there. Come on out and we’ll get started.”

There were two other people working on the machines when she emerged from the dressing room. He’d said that there would be other people working out when she was there but he’d be available to her one-on-one when she needed it. Apparently, there were just simple gym members and those who needed less than a one-on-one trainer. She liked seeing his business getting off to a good start. Wanted things to work for him.