Lily
Can you bring an extra yoga mat today?
Me
Yeah, no problem. Did something happen to yours?
Lily
Nope!
Me
You just need an extra?
Lily
Yes! I have a friend joining class :)
Me
I don’t think Gabe would be very happy to find out you’re referring to him as a “friend.”
Lily
Oh! Yes, he’ll be there, too.
Could you bring two extras,actually?
Me
Lily…what are you planning????
Gabe comingto yoga was suspicious.
Lily asking for two mats wasextrasuspicious.
I had a hunch what my best friend was up to, because she wasn’t exactly subtle. You’d think after having someone meddle inherlove life, she wouldn’t meddle in mine, but she simply couldn’t help it. Not that I had alovelife. I’d made it clear that it wasn’t for me. I couldn’t fault her for it and her sunshine heart, though.
Either way, I was going to play it cool today. If Leo showed up, so be it. I’d teach my class like normal and move on with my day. Maybe he wouldn’t even show.
My purple yoga mat was already set up at the front of the room, and the rest of the studio quickly filled up as people arrived. Jules and Lily took their spots toward the front, along with Gabe and an empty spot Lily was reserving. She grinned at me when I noticed the extra mat.
A few of my grandma’s friends were here, as well as other locals.
Maybe Leo wouldn’t show after all.
Just as I was going to exhale in relief, Leo came sauntering in wearing a black sweatshirt and athletic shorts. Like everyone else, he’d slipped his shoes off and left them by the cubbies near the front door.
“Leo!” Lily called, waving him over.
I stood there, mouth open like a fool, because Leo Rivers had athightattoo. A freaking thigh tattoo!
I wasn’t close enough to know for sure, but it looked like a line drawing of a city skyline. Chicago, if I had to guess.
“Are you okay, dear?” my grandma’s friend, Donna, asked, about to get up from her mat to come check on me. One thing Iloved about Donna was that she was in full glam regardless of where she was going, including yoga. Makeup, sparkly nails, and a workout outfit that was all sequins. Donna wasthatgirl—absolutely fabulous.
“Yes, I’m great!” I said cheerfully, or at least I hoped it came off that way and not like I was malfunctioning. “I think this is everyone today, but let me go double-check.”
