Chapter 169

Conrad said, "Take a two-hour break. We're heading to the park downstairs after." Two hours later, in a quiet corner of the small park outside the hospital. "Warm-up first. Don't want you pulling something," he said, picking a spot where no one else was around. He dropped into a textbook-perfect lunge, the muscles under his workout pants flexing in smooth lines. "Like this. Engage your core." Calliope tried to copy him, but her movements were shaky-it had been way too long since she worked out. Conrad strode up beside her. "Keep your back straight." One strong hand landed on her lower back, the other gently guiding her knee down. "Lower. Feel the stretch along your inner thighs." He was so close, his chest almost against her back. His breath was warm on her ear as he spoke. But all Calliope could think about was one thing: getting stronger. She fought against the ache in her legs and followed his instructions. Meanwhile, Conrad found it hard to stay focused. From his angle, her leaning