The Summer of Sunshine and Margot(26)

Margot grinned.

Twenty minutes later the class was over. Sunshine wiped the sweat from her face and neck as she limped toward the door.

“I’m never coming back,” she muttered.

“You say that every time we do this class.”

“And I mean it. Later I forget, but this time I’m getting a tattoo so it doesn’t slip my mind.”

“Wasn’t there a movie about that?”

“Someone hating spin class? I don’t think so.”

Margot smiled. “Using tattoos to remember things. It doesn’t matter. Come on, I’ll buy you a smoothie.”

Sunshine rolled her eyes. “You mean at that juice place, don’t you? How about a milk shake from a burger place instead?”

“You just burned a bunch of calories and did something good for your body. Wouldn’t you rather have a vegan smoothie?”

“No.”

“I think you’re just pretending.”

“I’m sure that’s it.”

They walked across the parking lot to the juice store. Margot ordered her usual green drink of spinach, parsley, cucumber and kale with a little red apple tossed in for sweetness. Sunshine chose a protein drink with almond milk, cacao, banana and vegan vanilla protein powder.

“I’d rather have ice cream,” she said as they sat with their drinks at one of the outside tables. “You should care about my happiness.”

“I care about your health, too.”

“I don’t mind being fat. I’ve accepted my body shape. It is what it is.”

“You’re not fat.” Not in the least, Margot thought. Sunshine was lush and curvy. She looked vibrant and sexy and alive.

Margot, on the other hand, looked cool and distant. There was something about the way she talked or moved that put off people who didn’t know her well. She knew that technically she was considered beautiful, but in an “under glass” kind of way. People didn’t see her as approachable or warm.

“How are things?” she asked.

“Okay. Work’s good, but school is hard. The second day was slightly less overwhelming than the first. I did the homework and I got most of it right, so that’s good. But the professor intimidates me and everyone is a lot younger. I worry they’re also smarter than me or at least used to the going to college thing.”

“You’re feeling out of place,” Margot said.

Her sister sighed. “Don’t try your Jedi mind tricks on me. I’m immune.”

“They’re not Jedi mind tricks, they’re techniques and they could help you feel more confident.”

“Um, no. But thanks for asking.”

“You don’t respect what I do,” Margot said, her tone mild.

“I respect it immensely. I just choose not to participate in it. I need to find my own way. You know that.”

“I do.”

Sunshine had always been the one to strike out and forge her own path—something she’d inherited from their mother. Margot liked making a plan and then following it. She liked lists and goals and knowing she’d made progress.

“School is big for me,” Sunshine said. “I know it’s the right thing to do and I’ll get through it, but it’s a shock to my system.”

“I find it intriguing that you’re so organized and regimented with the kids you work with but that doesn’t translate to your personal life.”

“I’m not regimented.”

“You keep them on a schedule.”

“Yes, but children do better when there’s a routine. They need mealtimes and bedtimes and playtimes.”

“Maybe you do, too.”

“You’re saying I should treat myself as if I were one of my charges?”

“I’m saying it might be a fun experiment. You already have to be in class two mornings per week. Maybe plan out when you’re going to do homework and when you’re going to work out. That sort of thing.”

Sunshine glared at her. “Work out? I noticed how you slipped that in there.”

“You’re the one complaining you don’t exercise enough.”

“You’re not supposed to throw that back in my face.”

“I was just pointing out you could make a schedule for yourself.”

“You mean like have a milk shake every Monday?” Sunshine’s eyes were bright with humor. “I could totally get behind that.”

“You’re hopeless.”

“I’ve been saying that forever. Now, how are things with you? How’s work? How’s your sex life?”

“I have no sex life.”

“Me, either. Sucks, huh?”

“I don’t mind so much.”

“Liar.”

Margot sighed. “I mind a little, but I’m used to it.” She wasn’t the type to have a one-night stand and sadly there weren’t many men who interested her. Along with destroying her life over and over again, Dietrich had somehow convinced her that he was the only one who could possibly find her attractive. That she was too weird for most. While her head said he was a lying bastard with a temper that sometimes scared her and that she was far better without him, her surprisingly fragile heart wondered if he had a point. It wasn’t as if there had ever been a line of men ready to beat down her door. That was more her sister’s life.