I’d only agreed to the plan—if caving to Theo and Jemma’s combined pressure could be considered agreeing—because Jemma promised to come with me. She’d raided my closet before leaving the Mirage and had cajoled me into changing into burgundy leggings with a matching burgundy-and-pink sports bra that I’d bought more than a year ago when I thought I’d give yoga a try. I lasted exactly one class and hadn’t worn the clothes since. Now I stood shivering, huddled in the cute but inadequate jacket I wore over the outfit.
Jemma waved off my question with a flick of her hand. “I can buy something to wear. These places always sell branded clothing and fitness accessories.”
As soon as we stepped into the lobby, I saw that she was right.To our left was a small store area with everything from T-shirts and leggings to water bottles and resistance bands. Straight ahead, a highly toned and perky woman with flawless sienna skin and a swishy black ponytail stood behind a sleek desk, wearing a wireless earpiece with a small microphone attached. Emblazoned on the wall behind her was the sloganTrain Like a Beast. Become the Ultimate You.
“I so do not belong here,” I whispered to Jemma.
The perky woman smiled at us as Jemma pushed me forward. “Welcome to Ultimate Beast. Can I help you with anything?”
I took a step backward. “Actually, we’re in the wrong—”
Jemma took my arm and propelled me closer to the desk, speaking over me. “We’re interested in becoming members, but we want to try things out first.”
“Of course!” The name tag on the woman’s hot-pink sports bra saidJazz. “We have guest passes available. For one day, one week, or one month.”
“Let’s start with one day,” Jemma said. “Do you have any brochures?”
“Right here.” Jazz gestured at a display of brochures like she was channeling Vanna White.
Jemma snatched one up. “I’ll take a quick look.”
As she opened the shiny pamphlet—adorned with fit, toned people with gleaming white smiles—she wandered away. A hallway led deeper into the building, and in the lobby there were two large interior windows, one looking into a weight room and another with a view of a large area filled with stationary bikes. A dozen or so sweaty but gorgeous men and women were in the middle of a spin class. Every single one of them could have worked as a fitness model. Maybe some of them did.
I really didn’t belong here.
“I’ll need you to fill out a form.” Jazz tapped a small sign. “If you scan this QR code, the form will come up on your phone. Otherwise, I can get you a paper one.”
“Digital is fine.” I scanned the code and glanced over at Jemma as I filled out the form on my phone.
She’d wandered first into the store area, but now she stood by the window with a view of the weight room.
The phone on the desk rang, so Jazz excused herself and answered it.
With the form half filled out, I crossed the lobby to join Jemma.
“You need to get in the weight room,” she whispered. “Isn’t that Minnie over there?”
I took a closer look. Sure enough, my petite neighbor was working out on one of the rowing machines, clad in baby blue leggings and a matching racerback tank top.
“Why don’t we wait until she’s on her way out?” I suggested, loving the idea. “We can say we’re just arriving.”
“But who knows how long she’s going to be working out for? Time is ticking.” Jemma nodded at my phone. “Have you got that filled out yet?”
I went back to adding all my information. Meanwhile, Jemma returned to the desk, where Jazz had finished her phone call. When I’d completed the form, I hit theSubmitbutton at the bottom of the page. Jemma and Jazz were deep in conversation, and I wondered if it was a good idea to let my best friend speak with the woman alone. I hurried over that way.
To my relief, they were talking about their favorite nail salons.
“You’re all set,” Jazz said to me when I joined them.
“I am?” I looked to Jemma. “What about you?”
She gestured at her outfit of snug black pants, an equally snug top, and three-inch heels. “I can’t work out in these clothes.”
I took her arm and pulled her a few feet away from the desk. “You were going to buy an outfit,” I reminded her.
“Have you seen the prices on their stuff?” She slid my jacket off my shoulders.
I clutched her arm. “Jemma, you cannot abandon me.”
