“Personally, I highly recommend the cherry chocolate chip cookie as a chaser when you have to eat crow,” Stella says with a wink.

“Make it a double, then,” my mom says.

Stella plucks two cookies from the case, slides them onto a plate, and hands it to us. We head to a white table in the back of her shop, settling in with the sweets.

My mom picks up a cookie. “A toast.”

I pick up the other one. “Yes, let’s toast to the end of my stubborn streak.”

She scoffs but says nothing.

“What?”

“You’ll be stubborn again. But I’m glad you’re not being stubborn now.”

I give her a soft and very genuine smile. “Me too. Also, thank you, Mom. I truly appreciate you doing this for me.”

Setting down her cookie, she stretches her hand across the table and squeezes mine. “I love that you’re pursuing your dream. I love that you saved so much of the money. And I love your commitment to doing this. It’s a beautiful thing to bring health and fitness to the older generation. I’m proud of you.” Emotions swell in my chest as she clasps my hand more tightly. “But I’m especially proud that you’re allowing me to help. Thank you for letting me.”

I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Thank you for making this happen.”

We finalize the details of her gift to me.

I wanted it to be a loan, but she said she wanted to give it to me, no strings attached.

And I decided to take it.

With grace, at last.

It seemed more important to move forward than to dig in my heels.

And that means my gym opens in less than two months, and I have a ton to do.

I couldn’t be happier.

41OLIVER

Later that day

She’s staring at me shamelessly.

She doesn’t even pretend not to.

As I reach the ladder at the edge of the pool, my gaze locks on Summer, on the naughty glint in her brown eyes.

She watches unabashedly as I climb up the ladder and out of the pool.

And I watch her too.

My girlfriend looks gorgeous in her workout clothes.

But then, she looked stunning in a sopping wet sequined dress.

“Feel free to check out the crown jewels.”

She wiggles her brow. “I am. But I’ll give them a more thorough inspection tonight.”

“Excellent. You be sure to give a proper review, okay?”

“Count on it.” She offers me a towel then snatches it back.

“No towel for me?”

“Nah. I’m going to check you out a little bit longer.”

“Feel free.”

With a smile, she hands me the towel, and I dry off. “How was your workout?”

“Amazing. Roxanne came with me. We did a Zumba class here. And she’ll do the water aerobics I’m teaching tomorrow.”

“And then pole dancing? Have you signed her up for that?”

“Not yet. But I will,” she says, then she glances at the clock. “Do you have a few minutes? I was hoping I could borrow your brain to review my gym plans.”

“Always. I always have time for you.”

42OLIVER

Several months later

I pace in my office, finishing a call. “Yes, we can absolutely add that clause into the contract.”

“Oh, good. That’ll make a huge difference with the next acquisition,” Geneva says.

“Almost as big a difference as in the last partnership.” As we talk, I check out the crowds below, New Yorkers scurrying by on Park Avenue.

“Yes. That deal was top-notch,” she adds. “I’m glad I stayed with you.”

“As am I.”

We wrap up and say goodbye, and I hang up the phone.

When I turn around, Jane’s standing in the doorway. “Still have her eating out of the palm of your hand?”

I shrug like it’s no big deal, when, in fact, it’s a huge deal that she stayed.

I didn’t chase her. I didn’t beg. She decided to stick around on her own, telling me that the work was good, that she appreciated me owning up to the ruse, and that if I lied to her again, she’d have my head.