Month of Sundays by Yolanda Wallace Read Free Book Online Page A

walking across it.
    Rachel and Jane shared a look and flashed each other a thumbs-up sign, silently agreeing that this workout thing wasn’t going to be as bad as they initially thought.
    Then the pain began.
    Downward facing dog bit Rachel in the butt and the plank position made her want to find one to walk off of.
    Blossom, Fernanda’s assistant, wandered around the room giving extra attention to those who looked like they needed it. Halfway through the class, she stopped working the room and planted herself next to Rachel’s mat. For some moves, namely the warrior poses, it took both of them to manipulate her body into position.
    Rachel didn’t know whether to feel embarrassed because she was so uncoordinated she required extra help or because Blossom’s hands on her body were the most action she had received in months.
    By the end of the class, she was drenched in sweat and her muscles were shaking from exhaustion. Jane wasn’t much better off.
    “Why did I let you talk me into this?” Jane asked as they limped toward the showers.
    “Because you’re as crazy as I am. And I must be certifiable if I’m willing to subject myself to being seen naked in a group shower.”
    “This feels like high school all over again, doesn’t it? Except instead of being surrounded by hot cheerleaders, we’re surrounded by hot trophy wives. Then again, some of the bottle blondes encircling us could be the same girls but twenty years older.” Jane took an appreciative glance at the eye candy scattered around the room. “Nice work if you can get it.”
    Rachel told Jane her big news to take her mind off their surroundings.
    “Guess whose holiday party is going to be held at Match Friday night?”
    “How did you swing that?”
    “Two words: Etta Simms.”
    Jane shook her head in amazement. “I’m going to have to lure her away from you one day. How much are they paying her over there?”
    “Not enough, I’m sure, but if you steal her away from me, I might not speak to you again.”
    “Considering the miracles the woman works on a daily basis, I think I’d risk it.”
    “Thanks, buddy. I love you, too.”
    “What are you going to wear Friday night?” Jane asked after they dried off, dressed, and prepared to return to work.
    “The dress code is business casual, but I’m sure the outfits will range from jeans to black tie. Or, since we’re talking about accountants, from gray suits to Sansabelt slacks.”
    “Colleen has to work that night. I’m available if you need a plus one.”
    “And you’re offering out of friendship, not because of the free meal, right?”
    Jane’s broad grin let Rachel know she knew she had been busted.
    “Sorry. I already told Etta I’d be coming stag.”
    “I’m sure Griffin will be happy to hear that.”
    “You think so?”
    Jane looked at Rachel out of the corner of her eye. “Are you fishing for compliments or looking for reassurance?”
    “Am I that obvious?”
    “Let’s put it this way, you’re a hell of a lot easier to read than War and Peace .” She gave Rachel a hug when they parted ways at Park Place. “Are we spinning tomorrow or hitting the weights?”
    “Let me see how much pain I’m in tomorrow morning and I’ll let you know.”
    Rachel picked up a turkey sandwich from a nearby deli and headed back to the office, where she polished off the three-bean salad she had ordered as a side dish. By the end of the day, she had put a serious dent in her inbox and her brain was still firing on all cylinders.
    Maybe there were benefits to healthy living after all.

Chapter Five
     
    The day after her first trip to the gym, Rachel woke up so sore she could barely move. Spinning made it worse, weight training even more so. By the time Thursday rolled around, however, her body had adjusted to her new routine and she had dropped almost seven pounds. Her self-confidence rose as the number on her bathroom scale fell.
    After work, she braved the crowds of last-minute shoppers and