Page 66 of His Hungry Wolf

But as much effort as I was putting into training, it didn’t feel like I was making any progress. Merri noticed the same thing, calling it a plateau. He kept reassuring me that I would push through it. But when more time passed and I hadn’t, I started to doubt everything.

“It’s nice to see that I can still beat you at something,” Merri said, crushing me at Mario Kart.

“If I’d played all of the time instead of having a life, I would be that good too.”

“I call bullshit! Because there was no way you ever had a life without me. You forget that I know you.”

“Okay, you’re right. After graduating I did spend most of my nights reading.”

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” he said painfully. “Leaving me forced you to read?”

“You say it like it was a life sentence,” I pointed out, amused.

“But wasn’t it? I mean, wasn’t it just as bad?”

“You’re an idiot.”

“Look at you, full of compliments.”

That made me freeze. As much as I had tried, I had also been failing at the other thing I was here to practice.

“Seriously though, you’re a good guy for allowing me to stay here.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s my pleasure. It was either invite you or get a plant. I’m still not sure which has more personality,” he teased.

“Thank you for that. But, no, seriously, I really appreciate what you’re doing for me.”

“Of course. No problem. I missed you. It feels good having you around again,” he said with one of his cute Merri smiles.

Seeing it and then the look in his eyes, my heart suddenly pounded. The mood had changed. I could feel it.

“Speaking of what feels good,” he began.

“Yeah,” I replied, hoping I knew where this was leading.

“I think we might need a break.”

“From what?” I asked nervously.

“Our routine. I couldn’t help but notice that your numbers still aren’t increasing.”

I looked away, disappointed that this was what he was referring to.

“I noticed that too. Do you want me to head home?”

“Home? No! Why would you suggest that? I meant a break from working out.”

“Oh! You mean a rest day.”

“Yeah, a rest day. What did I say?”

“Well, what I heard was that you thought I sucked and you were giving up on me.”

Merri laughed sarcastically.

“Claude, the day I give up on you, call somebody, because I’ve stopped breathing,” he said vulnerably.

I blushed. “Then, what were you suggesting?”