Page 78 of After You

“Well, I’m so happy you came in. And if you feel like teaching any yoga classes or if you need a massage table,” Hope gestured to encompass her shop and the rooms that were, apparently, down the hallway to her left, “please let me know. I’d love to have someone to share thiswith.”

“Hope’s a new mom,” Kyle said. “Peyton was going to come in and do a few evening classes for Hope, but now she’s working a lot more with her party-planning business.”

“Yes. And Peyton’s version of yoga was less,” Hope seemed to be searching for the right word, “relaxing thanmine.”

Hannah laughed. “I remember that Peyton is…energetic.”

Hope nodded but she was smiling affectionately. “She’s one of akind.”

“Hope is Peyton’s half-sister,” Kylesaid.

Hannah nodded. “Grandma told me about that. I’m so glad you found each other.”

Hope took a deep, satisfied breath. “I’m so glad I came here and found my home and family,” shesaid.

Hannah’s breath caught in her chest, surprising her. She was, strangely, a little jealous ofHope.

Hope was running an alternative medicine shop, essentially, right in the midst of Hannah’s hometown. Where she figured people would hear “meditation” and turn and walk in the other direction. Not to mention oils and yoga. But Hope was making it happen. And she’d found Sapphire Falls and fallen in love and was now living a life that was so much like the one Hannah could have had, for a moment she felt tears stinging.

But she couldn’t actually be jealous. Hope hadn’t taken any of this away from Hannah. She could have had it all. Probably the key to the shop was that Hope hadn’t worried what these people would think of her because she wasn’t from here, and they had no preconceived notions. That wasn’t true for Hannah.

But not only could Hannah have had all of this. She still could. She could stay. She could…

Then she looked atKyle.

She couldn’t stay. She’d promised him she’d leave. He was getting close to her, letting his guard down a little, because he knew she was leaving. He was spending this time with her because he knew they had a plan. She’d already turned his world upside down once. Now he had things back together and knew, maybe even more now, what he wanted. She couldn’t change everything again. He might go along with an impromptu trip to Hope’s shop, maybe give in to some kissing later, maybe even more, but all because it was still within the defined context of what he’d laid out from dayone.

She couldn’t tell him she was rethinking things. That wasn’t fair. His words and actions and reactions might be completely different if he knew that was the plan. Or even a possibility.

And she shouldn’t be thinking all of that anyway. Sure, Sapphire Falls had “let” Hope open a yoga studio, do a few massages, and sell some little bottles of oils. It didn’t sound like the entire town had fully embraced it anyway.

More would come if you were in heretoo.

She tried to ignore the voice. But it was clearly true. Since she’d been in town and talking about the oils and such, Hope’s business had increased. It was a little silly, but there was something to be said for being a hometown girl, born and raised.

You would love this. You’ve loved working with Albert and Conrad and Frank and everyoneelse.

“So, just let me know about the yoga,” Hopesaid.

Hannah forced herself to concentrate.

“Do you know anything about acupuncture?” Kyle askedHope.

Hope looked as surprised as Hannah felt at his question.

“I know a few practitioners and I’ve had it done,” Hope said. “I loved it. I think it saved me from carpal tunnel.”

“Hannah could probably use a space to do some of it here,” Kylesaid.

Hannah looked at him in surprise. He was volunteering that information? And not cringing?

“Really? Oh my gosh, would you work on me sometime?” Hope asked, fully sincere.

“Oh, I don’tknow…”

“You’d rather do it on the park benches and picnic tables?” Kyle asked.

He looked mildly amused. Hannah narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know what youmean.”

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