Page 53 of I Choose You

“You don’t have to sleep with him?” she checked.

He hadn’t said that, but reading between the lines of his amused clarification that I wasn’t selling myself like that, I didn’t think so. “Correct.”

The instructor shot us a dirty look as she led the class to the next pose. We were whispering, but still, everyone in here could probably hear us. Hot yoga was my Sunday morning routine—a good sweat to cleanse and prepare for the upcoming week. Last week’s hangover was the exception, and it felt good to be back at it.

Filling Rena in about what Kaden and I had agreed upon Friday night had me thinking I was killing two birds with one stone.

“Just thirty thousand. Period. Done. No questions asked, a lump sum for you.”

“Uh huh.” Oh, this next pose was tricky.

“Upfront?”

I waited until the instructor moved to the other side of the room. All the people in this class had come before. It wasn’t like our conversation was interfering with a newbie knowing what to do next.

“I’m not sure. He did give me a card for the wardrobe expenses.”

Rena muffled a squeak as she toppled to the mat. “I’m fine. I’m fine.” She held her hand to prove to the class she hadn’t injured herself.

“Wardrobe expenses?” she hissed at me. “Are you serious?”

“Yep.” He’d stopped by yesterday, busy on the phone. It was the quickest interaction we’d shared thus far. I answered the door and found him speaking with someone named Tristan. He smiled at me, handed me an envelope, then mouthed I’ll see you later. Then he was gone. Once I stepped inside my apartment again, I opened it to find a card and a handwritten note explaining I should spare no expense.

The rest of the afternoon, I texted him for clarification. That thread evolved more into jokes than spelled-out clothing expenses. I now knew he hated plaid—any form of it—and thought purple made my eyes pop.

I was still shocked he was aware I had green eyes.

Rena lightly moaned as we moved into the final pose. “Well, that’s settled then.”

I frowned at her. “What is?”

“Thirty thousand? That’s more than enough to take a trip now.”

I shook my head. While I loved that she advocated for me to consider my mental health and allow myself to take vacations, I had other ideas for that tidy sum.

“Come to Europe,” she urged. “Pretty please?”

“No. I’m tempted, but no.”

Rena sighed and wiped her sweat away.

“I’m going to give the money to my mom. She can make some repairs on the house or put it toward the mortgage. Her choice.”

“Aw, sweetie.” Rena disliked endearments and thought they were cliché, but I heard the meaning behind this one as she said it. “You’re such a good daughter. She’s lucky to have you.”

“Thanks.”

“Really. I admire your selflessness.”

The instructor took up position in front of us, and her watchful eyes killed the mood. We’d have to wait to continue this conversation. After class ended, we lacked the privacy to chat because we showered and changed. Once we were alone, exiting the studio, Rena elbowed me in the side.

“Have you thought more about your revenge scheme?”

I slung the strap of my bag higher on my shoulder. “I thought I’d have my chance Friday night.” Meeting his dad and Margaux, though, I couldn’t bring myself to ruin the dinner.

“Would you still go through with it? I mean, you’re already hesitating.”

“Just second-guessing it all.”