Disclaimer: not mine

AN: Thanks for the great response from everyone. I had my first class and I can't believe how out of shape I am. It was hard but three people I met at orientation were in the class and we'll be texting each other. We're gonna try to attend our classes together.

The next day I went into Rangeman for my normal work day after stopping at Starbucks for my iced mocha latte with whip cream. It was so yummy. I met up with Hal who said we had no skips and then checked my inbox. Rodriguez must have been happy I returned to Rangeman because he kept my inbox filled. I plowed through my searches while listening to a new book I got on audible called 'The Confidence Code' which I had been listening to for the last couple work days. It was really helping which is why I think I was able to end it with Joe.

Around noon Ranger came to my cubicle, he had been in meetings with clients all morning. He was still in his suit and looked absolutely devastatingly handsome. "Babe, are you free for lunch?"

"Yeah, are we going upstairs or out?"

"Your choice," he replied.

"Upstairs, so we can talk without being interrupted. Let me finish this search while you call Ella and change," I said.

"Are you sure Babe? You could always join me," he said with darkened eyes and his voice deepened.

I shooed him away. I finished my search, locked my computer and made my way to the elevator. As I ascended I thought about what I was going to tell him. I mean yeah the gym thing but what about Morelli. Ranger knew at Disney that Morelli and I were never gonna work. Too soon the doors opened and I stepped into the marble lobby. I knocked on the door and the door was opened by a shirtless and barefoot Ranger. His cargoes were zipped but not buttoned. God he was hot.

"Babe, you didn't need to knock."

"I didn't want to invade your privacy," I simply said.

"I gave you a key Babe. I wouldn't have done that if I was concerned about my privacy," he said as he moved from the entrance.

I followed him in and heard a knock. Ella bustled in with a cart laden with food. My eyes widened at all the food. It was then I noticed the table was set. Ella set plates down on the table and removed the covers. I saw lasagna and small salads. She set two more dishes on breakfast bar which I assumed was dessert. There was also a basket of garlic bread sticks in the center. Ranger sat a bottle of water in front of one dish and a glass filled with ice and coke.

"Thank you Ella," we both said.

She called over her shoulder as she pushed the cart out, "No problem dears enjoy."

We dug into our food and I was moaning. It was better than my mother's. My salad had croutons, slivered almonds, sliced strawberries and blueberries along with the normal mixed greens, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes and onions. It was actually good. Ranger and I both used the dressing left on the table. I turned the bottle to read the label; Newman's Own Creamy Balsamic. It was so yummy. Ranger even liked our lunch and ate the breadsticks.

He patiently listened through our meal to the challenge I joined and explained the goals. I also advised I paid for Lula. He waved his hand like no big deal. After we finished eating we brought our plates to the kitchen. He rinsed them while I loaded them into the dishwasher. He asked me to get him another bottle of water and anything I wanted to drink. I saw he had a bottle of Starbucks caramel Frappuccino, I grabbed it.

I set the bottles on the table as Ranger set the dessert down. He set a plate with angel food cake covered in sliced strawberries in front of his chair. He then set a piece of chocolate cake in front of mine. Not just any chocolate cake. It was three layers, with thick frosting. There were crushed Oreos and coconut sprinkled on it.

"Oh my God, this looks amazing. I'm gonna enjoy this because after Saturday it's on the not allowed list," I said.

Ranger chuckled, "Enjoy it Babe."

As I licked the last of the deliciousness from my fork I said, "I need to tell you about what happened with Joe yesterday." He waved his hand to continue. I took a deep breath and explained how Joe was not being supportive to Lula or me.

"Babe, I'm sorry but I've said before, you have an unhealthy pattern with him."

"I know, but not anymore. This was it for me. I know he won't marry me. I don't know if he'll marry anyone. We're definitely not right for each other," I sadly said. "I feel like I've wasted three years of my life by playing his game. I want to be with someone who wants me. Not some sick version of me, but I need time to get my shit together before that can happen."

Ranger smiled, "You're right Babe."

We put our remaining dishes in the dishwasher before heading back downstairs. I found my files in my inbox had multiplied while I enjoyed a leisurely lunch with Ranger. I sighed as I went to work.

The week went by pretty quickly. So Lula, Val, Mary Lou, Connie and I had dinner out a couple times and lunch during the week. We had pizza, burgers, pasta, cheese cake, ice cream, donuts, cupcakes and cake. At least I don't have a lot of food in my apartment. I finished my chocolate chip cookie dough pop tarts, ate the cookie dough in my refrigerator, and drank the beer and cokes.

Saturday morning Val picked up me and Lula to ensure we all made it. Val was in sweat pants and an oversized tee, Lula had on a tank that was at least two sizes too small and painted on yoga pants, I had on a pair of yoga capris and tank top. We all had on sneakers. We walked in and there was an area in the back set up with chairs and a couple white boards. We took pictures of the white boards as they had info about the program and contact for the coordinator Erica.

Erica introduced herself to the group; there were ten women and two men. I was a little surprised as I thought it was ladies only. She weighed us and took our BMI while Desiree took our before photos on our cell phones. Then Erica handed us a sheet with the meal plan and advised us what our goal was. Based upon their BMI Val and Lula each had to lose 20 lbs. I was on the plan to lose 6% body fat so my diet was slightly different than theirs. I'm not allowed any fat, jeeze I'll be eating like Ranger.

Erica then went over the Facebook check-ins, posts that are required, and nutrition. She went over the protein powder requirements and amino acids to help with muscle repair and recovery. She went over the classes and diet. I saw Lula was getting nervous. Even with the discount they were offering the protein and amino were expensive. I told them we can probably find something cheaper, I could ask Ranger or one of the guys.

After that was done, it was a couple hours until the class we are recommended to take. The class is Daily Ultimate Training and a whole body work out and should burn 1200 calories. There were others but we decided to take this one.

When we got in the car I called Ranger to get a recommendation for cheaper brands and he told me to check the Vitamin Shoppe they have several brands and would be cheaper than the gym. So Val drove us over and we chatted.

Lula started, "I don't know about this. I don't cook or anything so I ain't sure how I can do this."

Val, ever the mother, countered, "How about you guys buy your groceries with me and we go to my house. I can cook stuff and we'll put them in some containers. The dollar store has some from Betty Crocker. Then we can have everything premeasured and not have to worry. Plus our parents said to come for dinner."

Lula signed with relief, "That would be helpful Val. I only have a hot plate in my apartment."

We pulled into the lot of a shopping center and there was a dollar tree, Shop 'n Bag and the Vitamin Shoppe. One-stop shopping at its finest. We hit the vitamin store and got our stuff, we each got a different flavor so we can swap when we get tired of one kind. Then we hit the dollar store for containers and a shaker bottle to mix the protein shakes.

Val asked, "Do you have a microwave Lula?"

"Yeah, I usually heat up a Stouffers meal in it," she said.

We quickly made our way through the store. Val and Albert had a gas grill in the back yard. Albert heated the grill and cooked all our chicken up with some spices. We each had a package containing six chicken breasts so that was six lunches. He then grilled burgers, 96% lean; we also had six of those. We were going to eat at my moms and we had liquid egg whites we could cook for breakfast.

Lula was hard at work slicing strawberries and measuring out blueberries for our carbs. Val had the rice cooker going as well. I was washing veggies and making salad. Veggies are zero calories, so we can eat as much of those as we wanted. We ate lunch from one of our meals and had everything portioned to be in our refrigerator. Lula's place has a small fridge so I would store some of her meals at my place. We had cases of water and some green tea for the mornings. They could use olive oil and vinegar for the salad, well not me because I can't have fat. Yeah, dry salad.

Val dropped us at my place so I could grab my car and I took Lula home. She was coming to my parents for dinner. We tried the protein shake and it was pretty gross so we sprinkled cinnamon on it which helped.

We met at the gym the next morning at 10. We also hung out with Adrian and Michael who were in our orientation. It turned out they were a couple and trying to get in shape. They were super nice.

Lula started, "Are you guys as nervous as I am? I don't think I can do this."

Michael replied, "Yes, it's a lot of money but we can do this. You have to think positive."

Val chimed in, "Yeah, we can do this besides, that deposit is motivation."

"So what do you ladies do? Michael works at a bank in sales and I manage a Game Stop," Adrian replied.

I said, "Val is works part-time for her husband's law office and takes care of her family, Lula is a file clerk and bounty hunter and I work for Rangeman."

Michael looked interested, "Rangeman is impressive. They do security for the bank. Every one of those guys I've seen is hot."

The trainer came over and we got started, jogging for three minutes. Lula and Val were in the slow lane. The rest of us were in the fast lane. Then we did some other exercises to warm up. Then we went outside to do sprints. Lula mostly walked; Val ran half way and walked back. They sat out the short sprints and did second long sprint. We went in after that and had a water break before doing the stations. After the stations, another round of sprints before another water break. We then did another round of stations and finally abs. The stations included regular machines for legs and arms, along with lifting weights and sit ups. Holy cow, by the time we finished we were all sweaty. We all did a sweaty selfie.

Lula really struggled more than Val. We drank our water with amino and caught our breath when I felt it. That tingle that let me know Ranger was near. I looked up and there he was. Everyone in the guy turned to look at him as he glided over to me and wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed the top of my head.

"Babe, how'd it go," he asked.

"It was rough but we made it," I replied before introducing the guys to him.

Then Ranger called over the trainer, Josh, before barking out, "Report."

Josh stood at attention and I swear he was going to salute, "Boss, they did pretty good for the first class for people who are completely out of shape."

I sputtered, "Boss?"

He gave me that heart melting smile, "I own this gym along with Lester. Josh here is a new hire at Rangeman. All the trainers work for Rangeman and served in the military. So we all know our stuff. Erica has a degree in nutrition and is Ella's niece. Ella has the diet and we've modified the lunches at Rangeman to meet your needs."

Val sighed, "I wish I had an Ella to help me with the meals. The kids and Albert are unhappy they have to eat what I do. I'm not cooking separate meals."

I said, "That's too bad, but it'll be good for them to eat healthy too."

Lula was still gasping for breath. Adrian and Michael just stared at Ranger. He didn't appear to notice before saying, "I need to check on the security system. Proud of you Babe, you can do anything you put your mind too. All of you can."

With that he strode away. Adrian whistled before saying, "That is one hot man. Is that your boyfriend Steph?"

"No, I just broke up with my boyfriend. Ranger and I have been friends for a few years and I work for him. And he is seriously sexy," I said with a wink.

We made plans to attend class on Tuesday night and shared cell numbers so we can text each other for support. Lula, Val and I would meet at my parents' house for dinner. I went home to shower.

I stepped out of the shower only to walk into a wall that wasn't there previously. "What the fuck do you want Morelli?"

"I wanted to talk to ya, but I'm getting other ideas."

"Get out of here, I'm getting dressed and you better not be here when I come out," I yelled.

"Morelli, I suggest you leave. The lady has made her wishes known," Ranger said through his clenched jaw.

I scurried into my bedroom to get dressed and heard a door slam. I quickly dressed in a pair of olive green cargo capris and white muscle style sweater that ties at the bottom. I slid my feet into a pair of white cork wedges. I stepped out into the living room and there was Ranger.

Leaning against the kitchen counter, with his expensive aviator sunglasses hooked into the front of his Caribbean blue polo shirt and he had on a pair khaki colored Dockers with a pair of black loafers on his feet. He looked like a model for a clothing ad.

"Babe, how about dinner?"

"I'm sorry; I'm going to my parents with Lula and Val. Would you like to come with me?"

"Is your grandmother going to be there?"

"Probably. Thanks for helping get rid of Morelli."

"Why was he here?"

I sighed, "I assume he cooled off and wanted to start back up. I have no interest in doing so." I walked up to him and he pulled me to him, kissing me deeply. He released me and I asked, "Is that a yes?"

"Yeah Babe that's a yes."