Page 46 of Racing Hearts

Sofi makes a noise that sounds a bit like a skeptical goat.

“I’m serious,” I say.

“So am I,” she retorts.

“You didn’t even say anything.”

“You knew what I meant.”

I did, actually. “Well, your skepticism aside, I know what I need. And it definitely does not involve evening walks, Skee-Ball, or any sort of kissing.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“No more kissing,” I say, more confidently now. “I might be attracted to Adrian or whatever, but that’s all it is. And I can ignore attraction no problem. I have excellent self-control.”

“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”

Both. “Neither.”

I slap the lid on the blender and press start. The machine’s high-pitched whir puts a violent end to the conversation. Sofi glares at me over the din, mouth working like she’s warming up to launch back in as soon as I turn it off.

Fortunately, just as I do, footsteps sound behind me. I spin to find Mom hovering in the doorway. She’s wearing an all-white ensemble, complete with billowing pants and an airy, just barely sheer top. She even has her hair gathered in a white headband. Her eyes ping to my phone and she motions like she’s going to leave, but I wave her into the kitchen.

“Can we finish this later?” I ask Sofi.

After last night, I’ve realized I need to rectify the fact that I haven’t been to my mom’s yoga studio yet. And possibly apologize for being a neglectful daughter.

“Fine,” she says. “But don’t think for a moment you’re off the hook.”

She ends the call.

“Hey, Mom,” I say as I pour my smoothie into a glass. “Can we talk about something?”

“Of course,” she says as she lowers herself to the kitchen table, as elegant as a white butterfly perching on a stick. “I wanted to talk to you about something also.”

“What’s up?” I ask.

“Please, you first.”

I lean against the counter and sip my smoothie. “I want to apologize for not visiting your studio yet. I know it’s important to you.”

A smile lights up her face like she’s on a dimmer that’s just been turned to full blast. “That’s sweet of you, my darling.”

“Does that mean you accept?”

She tilts her head and her salt-and-pepper curls cascade from her headband onto her shoulders. “I will if you come to my Elevate and Radiate class in thirty minutes. I know today is one of your recovery days and it’ll be perfect to help rebalance your mental state before a week of tough workouts.”

I’m about to protest that my mental state doesn’t need any rebalancing when I remember what Adrian said about the science-backed benefits of my mom’s yoga. Then I promptly shove that memory out of my mind. I’m officially on Adrian abstinence.

“Let’s do it,” I say.

“Wonderful!” She springs up from the chair in a billowing cloud of white.

“Did you want to talk to me about something, too?”

Her eyes crinkle as her smile widens. “We can after class.”

. . .