I smile at the two of them. “Same. I’m so wrapped up in my jewelry that I forget I need to see actual people.”
“Are you forgetting about Dax?” Stevie asks, a knowing look on her face.
“I couldn’t if I tried. I hate that they’ve been on such a long road trip,” I sigh.
“I’d say you get used to them,” Harper starts, “but it’s more that you fall into a rhythm. Video chats when you can, and lots of phone calls. It’s harder on the kids.”
“At least your kids can understand it. Poor Caleb just cries and cries when he wants Bode and he’s not there. It breaks my heart.” A sad look washes over Stevie’s face. “But Caleb was happy as a bug when I left him with our grandmas, so tonight is about us.”
“Yes. Thanks for coming with me to check this place out.”
“Of course,” Stevie says. “I’m with Harper. We have to come back.”
Jennifer calls our attention back to her. “Okay. I’m going to show you two more moves and then I’m going to have you alternate on those. It will help build your strength so you can get more comfortable on the bar.”
She walks us through the strong-hold grip—holding on to the bar with one leg in the air and tapping the other foot down, alternating them—and the pelvic tuck, moving both legs up and down.
None of the moves are easy as each of us work on them. I try to hold on to the bar as I lift my legs, but I’m bad. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to hold on and move my legs.
“I think we’re going to call it a night there.” Jennifer claps her hands. “I know this isn’t easy, but if you stick with it, I promise it will be worth it.”
“My arms are gassed.” I flop down onto the ground, not sure if I can move.
“I don’t know if I’m going to be able to move tomorrow,” Harper groans. “For real. Everything hurts.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to lift Caleb into his cribtonight,” Stevie laments. “But I definitely want to come back.”
“Me too.” I grab my jacket and zip it up. “As much as it helped to take my mind off Dax, is it bad that I’m still anxious to see him when they get home?”
“No.” Harper smiles at me as we walk out. “It means you picked one of the good ones.”
“I think I did,” I confess. “Sometimes I still worry because of what Duncan did, but?—”
“I would not worry about Dax,” Stevie says. “He looks at you like you are his moon. I’ve never seen two people so perfect and so sweet together.”
I blush at her words. “He does not.”
“I agree. It’s the look of love.” Harper nods. “And as someone who is told they are disgustingly in love, by my kids, I can confirm you two have the same kind of love.”
I shake my head. “It’s too early for love.”
We haven’t been together long at all; we couldn’t possibly be in love, could we? I’ve known Dax my entire life. Could this be the next natural progression for the two of us?
I don’t know what happens next, but I know I want to take it on with Dax.
Because with Dax by my side, everything will be okay.
Chapter Twenty-Five
DAX
Dax
Did you see Duncan has an exclusive interview on Really, Man? tonight?
Marcus
What do you think it’s about?
