Chapter 8

I took a deep breath. “Here goes nothing.”

Holding my phone out from me at arm’s length, I clicked the camera icon and plastered my best fake smile onto my face.

“Hi, everyone,” I said, mentally cringing at the sound of my own voice. “My name is Anna Leonard, and this is my first day working out at Stand Up. I’m super excited to get started on some cardio here on the treadmill after I get in some stretching.”

I paused, unsure of what to say next. Then I remembered what Barnett had said the night he had given me the V.I.P. card.

“Look, I’m going to be honest here. I’m not some supermodel or fitness guru. I’m just an ordinary fat girl looking to get her hot self back after a particularly bad breakup.”

Tears welled at the corners of my eyes. I brushed them away with the knuckle of my index finger.

“If you’re like me and just want a little inspiration for your own journey back to your best self, I welcome you to like this video, leave a comment, and follow my transformation over the next three months. #MakeItHappen.”

I posted the video—while tagging Stand Up—before I could talk myself out of it. Then I set my phone aside so I could stretch.

• * *

After I finished stretching, I grabbed my phone so that I could get some video of myself on the treadmill. My eyes widened when I glanced at the social media app and saw that I had 20+ notifications. This could not be good.

I closed my eyes for a moment, centered myself, and then reopened them. Finally, I clicked on the app and scrolled through the notifications.

At first, all I saw were the negative comments.

Who TF cares?

Look at those crocodile tears! Dislike!

U 2 fat 2 run on a treadmill! Go back 2 ur twinkies!

The last comment was from Peter. I recognized him from his profile picture. It didn’t hurt any less to know that such an idiot had said it.

The remarks stung, almost bringing me to tears. Then the number of hearts caught my eye: 146 and counting.

Really? That many? I had only been stretching for ten minutes!

My expression changed into an uncontrollable grin as I skimmed the positive comments.

Way to go! The first step is always the hardest to take.

Can’t wait to see you glow up!

Ignore the haters. They’re just jealous that you’re trying to improve yourself. Rock on!

Some of the comments were providing some tips on how to structure my workout, while others were asking me if I would recommend Stand Up.

I set my phone up on a nearby chair and clicked record. My smile was genuine as I stepped on the treadmill and addressed my audience.

“Hi again, everyone.”

• * *

Barnett was in between meetings when he decided to check his phone. Lily had told him that Anna had joined social media and posted her first vlog, along with her handle. Looking her up took no time at all.

He smiled. Anna looked so cute in her simple workout outfit.

She seemed so adorably shy in the first video. By the second, she seemed to have hit her stride and regained some of her old confidence. He liked seeing that confidence in her.

Barnett hit the follow button.

• * *

I finished my cool-down session and checked my phone. Again, I had 20+ notifications for my new social media account. Amazing.

Maybe I could do this social media thing, after all.

Then I saw it: Barnett had followed me.

The high school girl in me was positively giddy. The woman inside me was telling me to not think too much into it. Both of them suddenly couldn’t wait to get hot.

And to someday show the new me to Barnett.

• * *

If only finding a job were as easy as getting started at the gym.

I had married Bob before finishing college. After focusing on taking care of Bob’s family for eight years, I had no connections and no marketable skills. It was next to impossible to find a job that fit my qualifications.

I was considering applying for a maid’s job at the local Motel 6 when Lily insisted that I interview for a job as the stylist for internet celebrity Arthur Stardust. Having grown up in the same villa as Lily, Arthur was a childhood friend of hers and accepted an interview with me as a favor to her. I wasn’t confident about it, but I couldn’t turn down the opportunity.

I put on my lavender knee-length halter top dress and matching heels. I pulled my curly light brown hair back into a messy bun and did my makeup natural with some light purple eyeshadow to highlight my big eyes. I took with me a professional—and expensive—makeup kit that Lily had bought me just for the occasion, along with some other supplies.

I wanted to dress to impress without overwhelming anyone. As I entered Arthur’s office, I wondered if the latter were even possible.

Bright. Everything was bright, bold, and angular.

Each wall was a different color—one yellow, one blue, one red, and one left as nothing but windows. A red minimalist table and chairs stood in the center of the room, and a matching desk sat with its back to the wall of windows. Even the statues were colorful pieces of modern art bent at impossible angles.

Then there were the rock music and the dogs. I’m not sure which was louder, the Imagine Dragons blaring over the speakers or the barking of the golden doodle alerting Arthur to my arrival. At least the dogs—three in total—each greeted me with a wagging tail and a lick on my hand.

Arthur, sitting at his computer at the desk, lifted his face to me. He arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at me before using a remote to silence the deafening music.

“Ms. Leonard, I presume?”

Internally, I thanked Lily for using my maiden name.

“Yes, that’s me. Please, call me Anna.”

“Well, Anna, I hear that you want to become my stylist.”

“Yes, sir, that’s why I’m here.”

Arthur intertwined his fingers and set his hands on his desk.

“And why exactly should I hire someone like you?”

I blinked and took a step back. “Someone like me?”

Arthur sighed and pushed himself out of his seat. He walked around the desk and stood in front of it, holding himself at his full height. I had seen this intimidation tactic before, in every single member of the Hayes family.

I would not let it work now.

I pulled myself up to my full height as well as I waited for Arthur to speak.

“One look at you, and I know that you’re not right for the job.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “And why is that?”

“Are you really going to make me say it, Anna?” He paused, waiting for me to speak, but I decided that I would make him say it. “You’re too fat.”

My jaw dropped, but I still didn’t say anything.

“In order to be the best, you have to look the best. Honestly, if you get up to your weight, you don’t look the best. So, you can’t be the best.”

I tried to speak, but no words would come out.

“My stylist has to be hot. No offense, Anna, but you’re just not.”