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“Yoga? Is that what we’re doing?”
“It’s Poppy’s class. Believe me, when she first wrangled me into coming, I felt probably like you do right now. But she’s a great teacher and made it fun, and now I try to get to one every chance I get.” She dug into her bag. “Here are a couple pairs of yoga pants and some shirts if you want to change. And don’t worry, no one here is judging you on how you look. It’s about being comfortable, not fashionable.”
Waverley took the clothes and, following her instruction, went into a closet in the back of the studio to change. The pants were stretchy and accommodating and the simple T-shirt just as loose.
She reappeared barefoot a minute later and was immediately rushed by Poppy.
“I’m so happy you came,” Poppy said, hugging her. “I saw the news highlights and wanted to call you. But today was the first day back to school from spring break, and it’s been super crazy. Are you doing okay— Wait. Of course you’re doing okay. Your ex is behind bars where, heaven willing, he’ll be for a very long time. Now, I want to know all the more sordid details about yours and Reynolds’s trip, but it will have to wait. Coffee after class? Avery should be able to get away and join us then.”
She didn’t have a chance to even respond before Poppy hopped to the front of the room and started talking to them about affirmations for the evening’s practice. Meg waved her to an empty yoga mat rolled out next to her, and she went over and took a seat.
She supposed there were worse things she could be doing right now.
Maybe this hour would give her some time to clear her head and figure out what her new game plan would be for her life. And if there was any reason to hope that Reynolds would want to be a part of it.
* * *
The women’s mouths were open as Waverley finished her story, ending with her discovery that not just one but two of her old college friends had been sleeping with her husband.
“That’s awful,” Meg said first. “They sound like pretty terrible people.”
“You know,” Waverley said, tearing off a piece of the chocolate croissant that she’d ordered with her latte, “I always felt like there was this resentment between us that I couldn’t understand, but I shrugged it off. Figured it was something about me. And who knows, maybe that was part of it.”
“Don’t even think of blaming yourself,” Avery said, leaning forward in earnest. She’d met them outside the yoga studio, an easy task, Waverley learned, considering she was one of the two therapists in the building where the yoga class was held. “It was their own personal insecurities that led them down that road. Theirs and Spencer’s. I am sorry, though. That couldn’t have been easy to hear.”
“It wasn’t at first, but for the most part, I’m over it. I’m more mad at myself for staying in a marriage that didn’t make me happy. But that’s something I’m working on. Finding happiness, genuine happiness.”
“Maybe yoga might be a part of that,” Poppy said, her enthusiasm and love for teaching evident. “I would love to have you come back.”
Waverley studied her. “I’m kind of jealous of you. Actually, of all of you. You’ve all found careers and hobbies that you truly enjoy. Avery enjoys helping her patients, Meg, restoring beautiful pieces of furniture and antiques, and Poppy, sharing her love of learning.”
“You’ll get there,” Avery said and took a bite of the chicken salad she’d grabbed along with her coffee.
“What happened to that offer to show that boutique owner some of your designs?” Meg asked. “I know nothing about fashion and style—and you guys don’t all have to nod so quickly—but even I can tell that you have a good eye for it.”
“I agree,” Poppy said. “You’ve got talent. And if you enjoy designing and creating beautiful clothing, you should cultivate that into something more. And it sounds like Nina saw something, too. Maybe she can help you get started.”
Waverley had been mulling over Nina’s offer more than she’d realized. And last night, as tired as she was, a couple new design possibilities had floated in her mind and kept her awake. It wasn’t until she’d grabbed her sketchbook and put those thoughts onto paper that she felt she could finally fall asleep.
She thought about how it had felt to hold the pencil between her fingers, seeing the stroke of the lead against the paper as new ideas and patterns that swirled in her mind took shape on the page. It had given her a sense of calm but also excitement.
But whether designing was destined to be a hobby or an actual career remained to be seen. Success in fashion design wasn’t like going out and getting a law degree and putting out a shingle with your name. The fashion world was ever evolving, and it took someone with the ability to keep a constant pulse on the industry to even start in that world, let alone reach any level of success.
Did she even have a chance? Then again, how would she know if she didn’t at least try?
“Thank you, guys,” Waverley said, nodding. “I actually have been considering pulling a few designs together to see what Nina thinks.”
“Just don’t go abandoning us when your designs take off,” Avery said. “Remember that you can design in your own studio located anywhere in the world. Even here in Blue Haven if you were so inclined.”
“Although you might want to consider upgrading your current living quarters,” Meg said.
“It’s not so bad,” Waverley said, even as she remembered coming home to find half the population of the town’s cockroaches had sought shelter under her bed. “Okay. It’s kind of bad. But I’m in a six-month lease, which should be enough time to save for a deposit for a better place.”
“You know,” Meg said and popped the last bite of her brownie in her mouth. “I have a guest room you’re more than welcome to.”
“Oh, I couldn’t impose on you like that,” Waverley said quickly.
“Impose? Please. I’m hardly there as it is. Most of my time is at the shop. I should warn you, it’s a little farther out than you’re used to, but the neighborhood is great.”
