“You’re not giving her a fifteen-pounder,” Eric said.

“You said she had potential.”

“Stop teasing her, Roberts. Give her a three-kilo. If that’s too easy, give her a five.”

“I’ll try the fifteen,” Cindy said.

“It’s too heavy for you,” Eric stated. “You might hurt yourself, and that would be really dumb.”

Cindy thought a moment. If she didn’t try it, she knew she’d lose Tandy’s dare and respect. The idea was to get close enough to talk to her—woman-to-woman. She said, “I’ll be careful. And if I fail, big deal. I don’t mind looking like an idiot.”

Eric said, “Tandy’s just being evil.”

Tandy laughed. But Cindy knew where the truth lay. “You said the idea was to get mean.” She glared at Tandy. “Give it here.”

With a slight smirk, Tandy handed it over to her. Then she added, “Really. Watch your back.”

The weight was heavy, Cindy thought, but didn’t seem unmanageable.

“Breathe out first,” Eric said.

“What?”

“Exhale, Cindy.” Tandy blew out air forcefully. “Then inhale. While you’re lifting, you exhale again. You always exhale on the exertion, okay? Like this.”

Cindy watched the perfect breasts heave as Tandy demonstrated the curl. Eric was hypnotized, and Cindy understood why. The woman was exotic, as captivating as a black widow. When she was done, she handed the weight to Cindy.

“Your turn.”

Cindy shrugged. “Here goes nothing.”

Slowly, she brought the weight upward, her muscles feeling a sizable tug as the dumbbell neared her shoulder. Carefully, she brought the weight back down, then curled it two more times. By the time she was done, she was surprised how sweaty she had become. She was also shocked by how good she felt, despite the strain in her arm. “I think that’s it, guys.” She placed the weight on the floor and massaged her overworked arm. Looking at Tandy and Eric, she thought they seemed stunned.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Eric smiled. “See, Roberts, I told you she had good raw material.”

“I did well?”

Eric’s smile formed to a grin. “Don’t let it go to your brain, Cindy. Even though you have the potential, you’re still a sack of fat.”

“Nothing like a backhanded compliment to massage the ego.” Cindy’s eyes fell on Tandy, and she remembered why she was here. Her heart began to hammer in her chest. “Would you mind working with me? Even if it’s just for today. I told Eric that I’d really prefer working with a woman. I guess I’m a little shy.”

“That’s not good,” Eric chastised.

“One thing at a time, okay, Eric?”

He-Man smiled. “Up to you, Fat Sack.”

“Oh, go stuff it!”

“Now, that’s more like it!” Eric stated. “Got to get mean, Cindy. Only way to reach your full potential. Lifting is not a game. It’s a commitment, and it’s not for wimps.”