“What is it? If you don’t want me there, it’s okay.”
“The problem is…you don’t have a membership.”
He laughed hard and loud, throwing back his head. “I see how it is. No free classes, even for your mate. Damn. That’s harsh.”
We got up and made cups of coffee. I paid attention to how he took his. No sugar. Dash of creamer. Criminal, really.
“I’ve decided you get a free membership. For life.”
Chapter Seventeen
Foster
Spending the day at the studio was a revelation of sorts. Each person left in better spirits than they arrived. It was fun to see how a lot of the classes had already bonded. The early birds were a group of senior citizens whose sun salutations were a thing of beauty. Shifters tended to be more flexible into their later years, but I could only hope to be in half as good a shape as they were. I joined the class, as I’d planned, but after only a half dozen salutations, I caved and slipped to the back. This yoga stuff would take practice.
There was a short break between classes, and I went down the street to get us tea and scones. Even that seemed too long to be apart, and I spilled a little tea hurrying back. We sat around sipping tea and talking about the seniors. Most of them were retired and showed up several times a week for one class or another. “That’s probably why they are in such good shape,” I said.
“It’s not just physical.” He reached over and linked our fingers together. “They could just go for long walks or do a little light weight training for that. But the types of classes they are taking have a greater effect. Some of which you’ve experienced yourself, I think?”
“It’s kind of amazing.” I sipped my tea. “More than amazing, really. I cannot believe how much better I feel since those first classes. And, this is embarrassing, but I actually am more productive.”
“Is it spiritual to say I told you so?” He tempered his comment with a wink. “I’m glad for you, though. It will be a lot easier on you when you wrap up your degree.”
“Yes, it will.” Although I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about still putting so many hours into my job. Once I finished school, I could actually do another job, but not one with the salary and extras from my current one. Every time I tried to think my way around it, I wound up back where I started. I had all my eggs in the marketing consultant basket. There were some things that I might be able to wrangle my way into, but none of them paid well. “I’m looking forward to that. I’d hoped to finish in the fall semester, but it’s not looking good. My professor hasn’t been able to resolve my problem with that one class.” I’d told my mate about it as the worry grew, and he did his best to help me cope, but it was the one thing I was having a hard time getting past.
As we finished our tea, the next class was filing in. It was breath work, and I joined in enthusiastically. After that, there was a guided meditation. Between each, there was at least a half hour, sometimes more. When I first saw that schedule and judged him for not filling every hour of potential earning, I had no idea what his job involved. He didn’t just lead the classes. To some extent, he participated in them, which took a lot of energy, and he needed those breaks. But for today, the best part was getting to spend them with him. While he taught, I either participated or just sat off to the side and watched.
By the end of the day, although he was still fully present, I could see the tiredness around his eyes. It was a lot, and I was so glad he had someone coming to help him. If only I was qualified to help, but I just didn’t see that happening. I didn’t have the skills, and I needed my higher paying job for both of us when the time came that we moved in together, something I hoped would be in the not-too-distant future.
“Come on, mate.” I wrapped an arm around his shoulders after the last student for the day headed out. “I’ll do the clean-up chores for you tonight and you sit down and relax.”
“I can’t ask you to do that,” he said.
“Lucky you didn’t, then. I didn’t let you get much sleep last night, and you’re dead on your feet. I’ll mop and wipe everything down. Clean the mats. Then I’m taking you for a good meal before you go home. To replenish your energy.”
“I shouldn’t let you, but I’m going to.” He sank wearily into a chair. “What do you feel like eating?”
“How do you feel about the peanut butter and jelly place? I love their sandwiches on that fresh-baked bread.” I winked at him. “Or is that too informal?”
“No, it sounds perfect. I don’t have the energy to eat anything with silverware.”
I hurried to do everything for closing before escorting my mate to the most casual restaurant in the whole town. And one of the most popular. I’d heard it was one of the first to start to bring Oliver Creek back from obscurity.
It was a great way to celebrate twenty-four hours together as mates.
Chapter Eighteen
Briar
I’d spent most of the day getting the month’s schedule up online. Making sure all the bases were covered was a full-time job in itself.
Worth every second.
The studio was booming and this week, I had someone coming in who would teach some of the late-night classes for me. From the next county over. He taught yoga online, and his videos did well. Still, he craved some in-person interaction with his students.
I could concentrate on the classes I loved the most.
And tonight, I had a date with my mate. I’d been feeling a little off in the mornings. We’d chalked it up to needing more sleep, and Foster’s answer to that was spending the night at his own place.
