“Twenty-two pounds.” Melonie preened. “I cannot wait for my ex and his new fiancée to drive down from Omaha in a couple of weeks to pick up the kids. I bought a new pair of jeans that make my ass look amazing. I want him salivating.”

“Now that is the kind of vindication I live for.” Taylor held her hand up for a high five. “Gimme some!”

They slapped palms, then migrated to the meat department, picking out lean cuts of beef and protein-rich salmon. By the time they were done shopping, Taylor couldn’t stop herself from beaming like a proud mama.

“You did a great job, Mel. You ready to do it again next week?”

“That would be wonderful, but…” Melonie trailed off, her lips tilting downward in an apologetic frown.

A sinking feeling immediately settled in the pit of Taylor’s stomach. “But…?” she asked.

“I found out last week that Avery, my middle daughter, needs braces. I have to sacrifice something to cover the dental bill, and unfortunately, that something is having a private fitness and nutrition coach.”

No! God, please. She couldn’t lose one of her few steady clients.

“Are you sure?” Taylor asked. “Maybe we can negotiate a new rate?”

“You’ve been a great help, Taylor, but I just can’t justify this expense any longer.”

Taylor knew she shouldn’t allow her disappointment to show, but dammit, this sucked.

Melonie placed a hand on her forearm. “I’m forever grateful for everything you’ve taught me. It’s been priceless.”

Actually, it did have a price. Sixty dollars per session, to be exact. She’d already earmarked the two hundred forty dollars she’d expected to earn from Melonie Phillips this month. Guess her car insurance wasn’t getting paid.

“I understand,” Taylor said. Because she did. If she understood anything at all, it was having to sacrifice to make ends meet. “We can always start the sessions again if your circumstances change.”

She gave Melonie a hug and helped her load her minivan with the groceries she’d purchased; then she got in her car and tried her hardest not to burst into tears. Her dad loved to bring up that old adage When it rains, it pours. Well, Taylor was in the midst of a freaking downpour that refused to let up for a single second. She wasn’t sure how much more of this she could take before she cracked under the deluge of pressure.

Once home, she found an empty plastic storage container propped against the door, a thank-you note taped to the lid. It was from Rob, her downstairs neighbor.