Always Only You by Chloe Liese (z-lib.org).epub

TARYN, OUR WATER AEROBICS INSTRUCTOR, WHIPS HER BODY THROUGH THE
pool, her limbs knifing fluidly as if water’s viscosity is just an urban legend
rather than indisputable physics. “Let’s go, ladies! You’re pussing out on me.”
Annie snorts to my left. “I don’t think she should be saying that.”
“Nope,” I pant. God, these treading water segments. “That’s asking to get
sued.”
“You’re quiet tonight, Frankie. What’s up?”
I shake my head. “Just winded.”
“Which wouldn’t be a problem if you came to water aerobics with any kind
of regularity.”
“Eat me, Annabelle. I have a demanding job. And not all of us have fifty
pounds of pregnancy buoying us up in the water.”
Annie gasps, then slaps the water toward me. “How dare you! This is
stamina that I’ve built. And while my excess fat stores and uterine fluids are less
dense than water—”
“Stop.” I almost gag. “And never say ‘uterine fluids’ ever again.”
She rolls her eyes. “My point is, I’m kicking this treading water challenge’s
behind because I’m in shape, not because of the baby.”
“Okay, Annabelle.”
“Francesca, I swear—”
Taryn clears her throat. Loudly. “Do you two mind?”
We smile sheepishly and say in tandem, “Sorry.”
Once Taryn’s attention is directed at the seniors using those flotation devices
that I’d give my left tit for right now, Annie glances over at me. “Something’s
up with you. I want to hear about it.”
Dammit, why must I be so transparent? Ma’s always said I wear my moods
on my face, which brings us to another benefit of scowling—it hides everything
else that you’re feeling.
Ever since lunch, my gears have been spinning, my brain won’t shut up. My
anxiety’s roaring at full throttle, and if I could wring my hands without drowning
right now, I would.
I’m not good at transitions and changes. I’m terrible at facing newness. I’m
worse at anticipating everything that could go wrong. This threshold I’m about
to cross with Ren typifies all of that. Thus, the freak-out.
“I had a long day,” I tell her. “You know how I get. I zone out when I’m
wiped.”