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But, I must admit, you sure did pick your man well.”
    “Yeah, well, thank you.” Nikla’s boyfriend, Justin, had been stable and kind.
    At this point in her life, Nikla needed both. Once in a while, though, she would have liked a nice surprise from him. She would check to see if Justin would go with her to her father’s house on Sunday. He would be a great distraction to keep her father from concentrating all of his criticisms on her.
    She knew Deana liked Justin for more than his good looks and his manners. Justin’s family had a lot of money. The money never factored into Nikla’s feelings toward him. She learned a long time ago to do things on her own. That didn’t stop her helpful nature from peeking through.
    Before leaving, a bubbly trainer bounded into the room. Karen smiled as she hopped over to Nikla.
    “Hey, Nikki.” Karen held both of Nikla’s arms as she smiled at her.
    Nikla smiled back and didn’t bother correcting her coworker with the use of the nickname. “Hey. Just stepping out for lunch.”
    “Okay.” Karen volleyed her attention between Nikla and Deana. “I won’t hold you up. I was hoping you would step in for me later today in my aerobics class.”
    Nikla cocked her head. “I haven’t done an aerobics class in years, not since I was a sophomore in college, and that was almost ten years ago.”
    “Come on. You’ve seen me do my class. You could wing it.” She patted Nikla on her shoulder like a buddy.
    “I don’t think students pay to have a teacher winging a class. Ask Victoria. She does that intense boxing class.”
    Karen winced. “She scares me.” Then she giggled.
    Nikla started to say no, when Karen took a step closer to her to gain eye contact.
    “Please?” Karen nibbled on her bottom lip. “I’d help you out if you ever needed it.”
    “Why do you need the time off anyway?” Nikla crossed her arms over her chest.
    Karen smiled as she glanced away. “Don’t tell anyone but I have this incredible date with this really amazing guy.”
    Deana nudged Nikla in her arm. “You can’t stop potential love.”
    Great. Now her best friend pressured her.
    Nikla thought about saying “no,” about disappointing Karen. Her shoulders and chest felt tight. She knew her breathing would be the next thing afflicted. Nikla hated letting anyone down. She didn’t want to be a pushover, either.
    “Why not just cancel your class? You’re allowed.” Nikla hoisted her bag onto her shoulder.
    “You’re right. But you can only do it three times in a four-month window. I’ve already done it three times. If I cancel a fourth class–” Karen swiped her hand across her throat.
    Nikla regarded the petite blonde for a moment. “I’m not saying yes yet. Let me get some lunch in me and think about it.”
    “Thank you!” The woman drew her into a bear hug. “I know you’ll say yes. You never say no.”
    That had been the story of Nikla’s life. She’d become the person who couldn’t say no.
    After her coworker ran out of the room, Nikla released a long breath.
    “You’re a nice person.” Deana wrapped her arm around Nikla’s shoulders.
    Nikla didn’t feel like a nice person. She felt like a doormat. Before relaying those thoughts to her friend, she smiled. “Let’s go. I’m starving.” Nikla headed to the door with Deana trailing behind her.
    Deana followed Nikla to their favorite eatery, one with a well-stocked salad bar and a lot of fresh items on the menu. Nikla worked hard to maintain her body. She wouldn’t be putting anything fattening or sweet in her mouth.
    “So are you still trying to get this workout studio off the ground, Jane Fonda?” Deana snickered as she placed her drink on the table.
    “Cute. Of course.” Nikla took a bite of her salad, then chased it with ice water. “I’m saving as much as I can.”
    “You’ve been saving for forever and a day. You probably have enough now to get a place somewhere.” Deana chopped off a hunk of her steak and