Just One Look
Copyright© 2025 by DB86
Chapter 2
The next morning, when I stepped out of my house, I was greeted by four women in gym clothes standing at the bottom of my driveway. I was wearing my usual “sporty” outfit—not because I did sports, but because elastic waistbands were forgiving and the fabric was soft.
“Good morning, Pete!” they all chirped in unison, and then burst into giggles.
“Diana, what is this? If this is some kind of practical joke, it’s not funny.”
Diana looked genuinely hurt. “Pete, do you really think I’d play a cruel prank on you?”
I hesitated. “No ... I don’t think you would. But a group of giggling women waiting outside my house? That’s enough to make me wonder. Especially when I see the Queen of Mean and half the Gruesome Twosome standing here.”
“Pete,” said Georgina, stepping forward to catch my attention. “You and my husband are good friends. You watch movies and play D&D with him and the Nerd Squad every other Saturday. Do you really think I’d be part of some high school-style prank?”
I let out a sigh. “You’re right, Georgina. I’m sorry. My mouth isn’t always connected to my brain—a birth defect. I’ve suffered from it my whole life.”
That earned a round of barely suppressed laughter.
“I’m just confused,” I admitted. “What are you all doing here? Garden emergency?”
“Nope,” said Annabella Reed with a cheerful smile. “We’re here to help you.”
“And for the record,” she added, “I haven’t been part of the Gruesome Twosome since high school. You do remember I was the one who dragged Janice up Main Street to apologize to my husband Derek, right?”
“One of the most humiliating—and enlightening—moments of my life,” Janice said, smiling fondly at Annabella. Then, she looked at me. “Pete, I’ve already apologized for what I did back then, but I’ll say it as many times as you need me to. I also want to make amends. That’s why we’re here.”
Bella nodded.
“All of us want to help you,” Diana added.
“I appreciate the gesture, but I’ve already got people working for me,” I said, still trying to wrap my head around whatever this was.
“No, silly,” Annabella laughed. “Not with landscaping. With your weight loss.”
I frowned. “There must be some confusion. I’m not trying to lose weight. I don’t think I want any more people in my life worrying about my weight.”
“We are not worried about your weight. We are worried about your health,” Georgina said.
“We told Marisa you need the morning off, and she talked to your crew,” Bella chimed in. “They know you’re off for today. Come on, walk with us to the gym. We’ll explain on the way.”
I gasped at her. “A gym?”
“Yes, a gym. We’re going now.” Diana grabbed my hand and pulled.
And just like that, I was walking toward Derek and Bella’s gym with four determined women chatting around me. They talked about the weather, local gossip, and the latest debate at the town hall. I didn’t say much, I was still trying to figure out how my day had turned into a cheerful weight-loss intervention.
Ten minutes later, we arrived at the gym. I’d driven past it a thousand times over the years, always meaning to go in, but never quite managing it.
“Come on in, Pete,” Bella said, taking my hand and gently tugging me inside.
I took a deep breath and stepped through the doors. The front desk was manned by a young, ridiculously fit woman, who smiled like I was about to join a cult.
“Can I help you?” she asked sweetly.
“Pete’s with me,” Bella said.
“Oh! Sorry, boss, didn’t see you.”
“Get Pete set up with a premium membership. Free of charge. We’re going to help him get his life back, and shed a few pounds while we’re at it.”
I heard giggles behind me again.
Bella turned to me. “You fill out the form. I’ll come back when you’re done.”
“How about I think about it and come back in a few days?” I said, already turning to leave. I suddenly had a strong craving for something deep-fried.
Georgina and Diana each linked an arm through mine and spun me back toward the counter.
“Nope. You’re not getting out of this,” Georgina said firmly.
“Stop procrastinating, Pete,” Diana added. “You can do this. I believe in you.”
“Fine,” I sighed, defeated.
I took the clipboard and scanned the form— name, address, occupation, health insurance.
Then, came questions about allergies and prior sports injuries. I snorted. Sports injuries? Please. I hadn’t done anything remotely athletic since fourth-grade kickball.
A few minutes later, a six-foot-tall, fridge-shaped man walked over. His skin was a deep brown, and a scar ran from his chin in a jagged line up toward his right eyebrow. I’d seen Derek Hayes before, of course—he and Bella ran the place—but I’d never been this close to him. We traveled in different circles.
He held out a massive hand. I shook it, bracing for the crunch, but it was warm and firm, not bone-breaking.
“I’m Derek, Bella’s husband. We own the gym. Glad you decided to come, Pete.”
“I wasn’t given much of a choice,” I admitted, still trying to keep up.
Derek chuckled. “It’s always like that when women get involved. You know what they say—successful marriage is all about having the last words— ‘Yes, dear.’”
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