“And what are you gonna need at the end of this year? An updated resume?”

Theo grinned at the remark from one of the trainers across the table and waited till the laughter subsided. “Miss Cunningham and I will get the job done,” he said.

“Too bad the cameras weren’t here the day she upchucked her M amp;M’s,” Lola said with a laugh.

“No such thing as too many documentaries on how to perform the modified Heimlich maneuver,” Tyson added.

“It was Milk Duds,” Theo said.

Ramona jumped in. “We’re already getting an amazing amount of press with this project. It’s possible some of you will be approached by the media for comment in the coming months, so please clear it with me first before you’re interviewed.” She smiled at Theo. “This campaign is costing a bundle up front, but we’re going to reap the benefits for years to come.”

Lola frowned and shook her head. “Have you ever had a client drop a hundred pounds in a year? I mean, get real, Theo!”

“No, I haven’t.” It was the truth. He’d never tried something this ambitious, with this kind of timetable or public exposure. Of course, he’d cared for obese patients as a med student and helped some clients make dramatic changes in their lives, but lately it had been one nearly-perfect-on-the-outside Palm Club client after the next.

Frankly, it was getting old.

“Remember my client who lost sixty pounds?” Lola charged on with her story, oblivious to the fact that no one remembered any such client. “Well, I heard she left her husband for the China Wok delivery boy.”

Theo wasn’t sure what point Lola was attempting to make, as usual.

Tyson turned to Theo. “Looks like she’s sticking with it. You doing six days?”

Lucy was sticking with it, and though her first weigh-in was still a few days away, he could see the change in her.