Free The Girlfriend (Single Wide Female in Love, Book 2) by Lillianna Blake, P. Seymour Page B

him, but decided to connect with Stephanie first.
    I dialed her number.  
    “Oh, so you are alive?” She laughed when she picked up the phone.  
    “Last time I checked.” I laughed too.  
    “What’s going on?”  
    “I was working. Just wanted to catch up on some things. What’s going on with you?”  
    “You mean other than going through Samantha withdrawal?”  
    “Ha ha.”  
    “I mean it. You can’t just not text me. It’s not cool.” She laughed again.  
    “I’m sorry. To be honest, I’m having a hard time keeping my head clear.”  
    “Why?”  
    “Ah well, you know.”  
    “Max?”  
    “Max.”  
    “Samantha, I don’t understand what you’re worried about. He clearly adores you.”  
    I cringed. I didn’t even know how to explain it myself. “I guess I’m just feeling a little strange about why things aren’t moving forward.”  
    “You have to stop worrying so much. Just let things happen as they will. Trust me.”  
    “Thanks.”  
    While I was on the phone with Stephanie, it vibrated to let me know that I had a text.  
    “Stephanie, I’ve got to go.”  
    “Okay, but don’t be a stranger. I’ve really enjoyed us hanging out so much lately.”  
    “I know. Me too.”  
    When I hung up the phone I looked at the text.  

    Are you still going to meet me for the surfing lesson?  

    I frowned. I’d forgotten about setting up the class earlier. I didn’t exactly feel strong enough to meet up with him, but at the same time I couldn’t avoid him much longer. If the shoe was on the other foot and it was Max not contacting me, I would be losing my mind.  

    Yes. I’ll be there. Love you.  

    It was a short text, but I hoped it reassured him.  

    So you’re coming up for air?  

    I smiled at the text.  

    For a little while.  

    I waited a moment, as I expected him to text back. When I didn’t receive any more texts I put the phone down.
    The surf lesson was in the morning, and that meant I was going to have to get into a swimsuit. It had been a while since I put one on. I dug around in my drawer and found the one I had most recently purchased. It fit okay in the store, but looking at it made me anxious as I wondered if it would still look okay. Over the past few weeks I hadn’t done a great job of following my diet and exercise routine.
    I changed into the suit and then turned to look in the mirror. All I could see was flaws. My thighs were flabby. My arms drooped. My breasts sagged. I didn’t even want to think about the mound of fat around my waist. I was very disappointed. The suit fit the same as it had in the store, but clearly I’d lost sight of my beauty. A flicker of panic rushed through me. I couldn’t let Max see me like this. He would go running for the hills. I was sure of it. My chest ached with anxiety.
    I was about to grab my phone to cancel the lesson, when I realized how that would seem to Max. It would hurt him if I cancelled our plans. As I thought about it more, I realized this was an opportunity to trust Max. Max had never been anything but kind about the way I looked. I had no real reason to think he would be any different the next morning. It was just my panic and insecurity talking.
    I took a deep breath and forced myself to look in the mirror again. Okay, I might have put on a pound or two, but not much. I hadn’t been exercising as much, so I wasn’t as toned, but the suit still fit.  
    “Sammy, you’ve got to get a grip.” I shook my head at myself. “Max loves you.”  
    Even saying that out loud in my empty bedroom to my worried reflection felt like a risk. Was I ever going to believe it?  
    I changed back into my suit and decided that I needed more than inspiring websites and memes, I needed some face-to-face inspiration. I put a call in to the meditation teacher that I’d been working with. There were no classes that night, but he said he would meet me with me for a private session.
    I felt relieved. I needed some