Shape Up To Love: An AMBW Romance

By Nia Arthurs

A fitness instructor determined to save her gym. A giant teddybear-sized doctor desperate for a promotion. A partnership that blooms into love.
Melissa Michelson handles her business the way she handles her fitness regime—with rigid order.
But no matter how hard she tries, the gym her late parents founded keeps losing money.
With bankruptcy hot on her tail, Melissa receives a tempting offer from her friends: help Dr. Nick Lee lose weight and get an investment in her business.
The problem? Dr. Lee isn’t interested in her fitness training services.
Even bigger problem? His schedule at the hospital leaves no time for eating healthy meals, lifting weights or getting proper rest.
Desperate to save her gym, Melissa wiggles her way into Dr. Lee’s life and fitness schedule.
The more time she spends with him, the more she sees that Dr. Lee is a teddy bear, inside and out.
What happens when their training sessions start shedding pounds and revealing new feelings? Will Dr. Lee be able to teach her about love the way she teaches him about fitness?
Shape Up To Love is a heartfelt AMBW rom com with a swoony closed-door romance and tender family moments. There is no cheating and no cliffhangers and this can be read as a standalone. *Note: This book was previously titled ‘DANCE’

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nia Arthurs
• Release date: Apr 7, 2022

Book preview

1

The scent of sweat and the heady cadence of dancehall music pumping through the speakers filled her senses.

Melissa Michelson swung her head to the beat and her long, curly hair slapped the side of her cheek.

Alright, I need to calm with the head bopping

As the music played, she opened her eyes and swept her gaze across the room full of students.

The women and men wore comfortable exercise clothes and exhausted expressions. Each had labored to accomplish the salsa moves she’d incorporated into the lesson.

Melissa had been working them hard today. She decided to do one more step and end the class early.

Someone in the crowd waved and she waved back, an answering smile climbing her face when she spotted her best friend.

Ida Simpson, soon to be Ida Park, shook her thang in the front row. The girl was not an inch over five foot two, but she danced like a beast.

Several of the guys in the back were checking her out. Parker, Ida’s fiancé, would have a fit.

Alright! Melissa shook her hands out.

The class did the same.

Ready for the pump?

The answering roar of approval rushed on top of the music. Melissa laughed and positioned her hands in front of her chest.

She demonstrated the first pump by arching her back and bending her knees.

To the music, guys!

The students obediently fisted their fingers and pumped to the rhythm. Melissa walked down the rows.

The Rump Shaking classes weren’t as technical as the other classes offered at her gym, but she didn’t want anyone hurting themselves by holding an incorrect position.

Everyone was doing well and she returned to the front of the class without too much trouble.

Now… Melissa yelled when the song reached its climax, "freestyle!"

The class went crazy. The bass and drums in the music fed energy to tired limbs. People hopped up and down and rocked their fists in the air.

Melissa joined the frenzy.

She clapped, swung her hips and spread her arms wide. The Rump Shaking classes were always her favorite.

If her gym hadn’t needed money to keep its doors open, she would offer the course for free.

Sadly, every buck counted right now.

Whoo! she joined the applause when the music ended. Good job, everyone. See you on Thursday!

The guys and girls filed out of the class. Ida joined her at the front. Both women faced the mirrors as they wiped the sweat from their brow.

In the past, Ida would have automatically compared their reflections.

Melissa had light brown skin, long, curly hair, and expressive brown eyes.

Her friend used to point out her own insecurities and often bemoaned how unfair it was that Melissa had been blessed with beauty.

Today, Ida slung her arm around Melissa’s neck and beamed at the women in the glass.

"Girl, we look foine!"

Since Melissa’s return from her trip to Kenya, Ida had been brimming over with self-confidence.

Her best friend was a little too sweet to be called ‘arrogant’, but Ida was definitely toeing the line.

Melissa loved it.

Ida had been through a lot. For the past two years, her best friend had embraced herself the way Melissa had all along.

We do look pretty good. Melissa struck a pose.

Ida joined her.

Both girls laughed. Melissa was thirty going on eighteen. She had a great best friend, a wonderful grandmother and a job she loved.

If she could only keep up with the bills the gym racked up like a squirrel shoring nuts, she’d be fine.

What are you and the boys doing tonight? Melissa asked as they began to lock up the classroom.

Ida and her foster children, Mateo and Santiago Hernandez, were nearly inseparable. Melissa loved coming over and watching them interact.

To be fair, Ida’s little family hadn’t always been so harmonious. Mateo and Ida had had a rough start.

Well, they’d had a horrible start with Mateo stealing Ida’s phone and Ida indirectly pushing the kid into traffic.

After a tragic kidnapping, Mateo and Ida bonded and the teenager doted on her in a surprisingly tender fashion.

Ida shrugged. What we always do on Tuesdays… homework. Mateo has a new tutor to help him with chemistry. He’s limping along in his major and I told him if he wants to go to university, he has to shape up.

The seventeen-year-old was entering his second semester at the junior college with the hopes of becoming a doctor like his soon-to-be foster father.

Don’t be too hard on him. He’s already come so far.

I know. Ida smiled. But that’s exactly why I’m hard on him. He’s going to leave me for college in a year and I want him fully prepared.

Aw. You sound like such a mom.

What can I say? I am.

I don’t know how you do it all. Melissa locked the door and walked down the hallway to the front desk. You’re taking classes to get your Masters, you’re working, you’re parenting, you’re planning a wedding, you’re taking Rump Shaking classes…

Ida laughed as Melissa paused for breath.

You’re running around doing everything and I can’t even pay the rent on time!

The gym will make it. You turned this place around since you took over.

Yeah, but not by much. I’m serious, Ida. If I get one more ‘notice’ from the bank, I’m going to scream. Don’t they know I’d pay them if I had the money?

Ida opened her mouth to respond when her phone rang. She looked at the screen and a huge grin split her face.

Melissa knew without a doubt that the caller was Ida’s fiancé.

Ida and Parker were two people she never would have paired together. Thankfully, Melissa wasn’t in charge of who fell in love.

It was a good thing too or Ida would have missed out on the love of a lifetime. She had yet to see a more devoted couple.

"What?"

Melissa froze in the middle of the brightly lit hallway and stared at her best friend.

We’ll be right there.

What? What’s going on?

Ida started moving and Melissa ran after her.

You remember Nick, Parker’s doctor friend from the hospital?

The fat guy?

Ida nodded. He just collapsed and he’s refusing to be admitted.

Melissa locked up the gym and hailed the security guard as Ida dragged her to her car and climbed in.

I can just take a taxi, Melissa said as her friend spun out of the parking lot.

Ida did not reply. She drove through traffic and stopped in front of a pharmacy. The woman hopped out before Melissa could ask any questions.

Five minutes later, Ida jumped back into the car, shoved a plastic bag at Melissa and slammed the vehicle into drive.

Um, Melissa asked quietly when it seemed that Ida wasn’t slowing down for anything, if he’s a doctor, why isn’t he going to the hospital?

I don’t know. Ida shook her head. But Parker asked me to bring those so that’s what I’ll do.

Two minutes later, Ida parked the car in front of a two story building. The bottom half had a large grey shutter where an Asian grocery store used to be.

Why are we here?

This is Parker’s place, her friend said.

Without further explanation, Ida hopped out of the car and stormed up the stairs. Seeing no other choice, Melissa followed her.

As soon as they knocked on the door, it swung wide open. Parker, dressed in a black T-shirt and long jeans, pulled Ida in.

Did you bring it?

I have it here! Ida handed him the plastic bag.

Melissa quietly entered the house and locked the door behind her while the couple sailed into the back room.

While Ida and Parker did...whatever they were doing, she sat down and observed Parker’s living room.

It was a small space with white washed walls and brown sofas. A flat screen television bracketed on the wall was the only decoration.

Melissa twiddled her thumbs for nearly an hour before Ida and Parker emerged.

I’m sorry about that, Melissa, the handsome man said, offering her his hand to shake.

She grasped his palm and waved away his concern.

I’m fine. Is your friend okay?

Ida came and sat beside her man. The two exchanged pained glances.

Melissa arched her eyebrow. What were they up to?

Is something wrong?

Parker nudged Ida in the shoulder and sank back into the sofa. Ida threw him a glare and then smiled at Melissa.

We have a favor to ask.

What is it?

Let me just say that this was not my idea. Parker crossed his arms.

What is it?

The words spilled out of her best friend in a jumbled plea.

WewantyoutomoveinwithNickandhelphimloseweight!

Melissa scooted to the edge of her seat and stared.

What?

2

Ida had always been the more compassionate of the two of them. Melissa was a loner by nature.

She moved in every social circle, but rarely got caught up in one.

She had a ton of acquaintances, but considered few of them friends.

She believed in minding her own business and living quietly.

Her compassion was exercised in the shadows and it was only in her late twenties that she felt confident enough to interact with people.

Taking ownership of the gym and leading the Rumba shaking classes had stretched the limits of her comfort zone.

No matter how many steps she’d taken, however, moving in with a total stranger as a personal trainer was pushing the limits of her abilities.

You need to start over and start slow.

Ida tugged a lock of her hair. His name is Nick Lee and he’s a doctor at the Medical Center.

Alright… Melissa was struggling to understand what that had to do with her.

Parker took over. Nick’s suffering from high blood pressure because of his weight and he’s in danger of heart disease.

That’s terrible, Melissa said.

Ida nodded. Nick needs to lose weight or his life expectancy will decrease dramatically.

Well, why doesn’t he join a gym like everybody else?

Look, Nick’s situation is… complicated, Parker said.

Complicated?

He’s gotten some complaints from disgruntled patients because of his weight.

I’m sorry. I’m usually a lot smarter than this but I’m not getting it.

This year, Nick was sued by a patient’s guardian. Apparently, he advised the patient to lose weight and eat healthy. The guardian claims his mother didn’t listen because Nick wasn’t doing that himself. The mother died of a heart attack and the guardian is suing the hospital.

So if Nick goes in for his health…

He’ll give the lawsuit more credence. The hospital is scrambling to save face and though the chief is standing behind him, the story’s gaining more and more traction.

Why is he just asking for help now?

Well, he’s not exactly asking for it. Parker looked at Ida.

Nick’s so stubborn about this. We love him just the way he is, but now his life is in danger. We want you to convince him.

Convince him to let me live with him and whip him into shape?

Right, Ida beamed. That’s exactly it.

No, Melissa said.

No?

I told you, Parker mumbled.

I have a gym to keep up with. I’m barely paying all the instructors, the receptionist, the rent, the utilities. Where can I find time to personally train some guy that doesn’t even want to get better?

I’ll pay it! Ida blurted.

What?

Ida… Parker tried to talk sense to his impulsive fiancé.

Ida ignored him. I have that inheritance from my great-grandmother.

Ida! Melissa shook her head. You’ve been saving that for years. It’s supposed to go to Mateo’s college fund.

Half of it will work if Mateo gets a scholarship.

I’m not doing it.

I don’t trust this to anyone else.

I’m not taking your money, Ida.

Then he’ll get worse, refuse our help, and die. Is that what you want to happen?

No… Melissa shifted.

To be honest, if Nick Lee died she wouldn’t necessarily … fall apart.

Parker shook his head. Ida, please be reasonable. You can’t just––

I can and I will. Besides, I wanted to help Mel with the gym anyway. I think this is the perfect fit.

Ida was too generous for her own good. It wasn’t the first time her friend had tried to foist money on her.

Melissa had always refrained. The gym’s financial problems were hers to bear alone. Ida had her own bills to deal with.

She looked at Parker. His lips were twisted in displeasure and she could sense his disappointment in Ida’s decision.

The tension in the room was mounting. Though Melissa didn’t know how she had gotten here, to this moment, she realized she had to do something soon.

Before Ida and Parker broke their engagement, Melissa stood.

Fine. I’ll do it.

You will! Ida screamed.

Melissa lifted her chin. But keep that money for Mateo’s future.

How are you going to be compensated for your time? Ida frowned.

I’ll worry about that.

Mel—

Don’t you dare put any money in my account Ida Simpson or I swear I’m going to strangle you.

Parker coughed to hide his laughter.

I just want to help.

Yes, Parker wrapped his arms around Ida’s shoulder. That’s why you’re always getting into trouble.

You know that’s why you love me, Ida cooed.

Before the couple could get cheesier, Mel grabbed her bag and headed for the door.

Where are you going? Ida called.

I’m going to catch a taxi and head home. Doctor Park, the minute Nick is clear to start his training, call me.

Ay yai!

Melissa stopped at the entrance and turned back.

Don’t tell the guy I’m coming for him.

Both Ida and Parker nodded.

Melissa smiled and slipped out the door.

---

THREE DAYS LATER, NICK LEE paraded down the hallway beside his friend of nearly five years.

The nurses and female doctors sent Parker shy smiles. The man had always been oblivious to the stares.

Nick dipped his head at the few who greeted him.

It never bothered him that Parker always got attention. Though they were both tall, Parker had a more handsome face and arrogant air.

He got away with a haughty tone and reserved behavior. Nick relied on his cheerfulness to relate to patients and colleagues alike.

The doctor was so caught up in his thoughts he nearly walked into a door. Parker grabbed his

Reviews for Shape Up To Love

[ehh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This one was slightly better than the first one. Loved it, definitely would recommend.