Page 77 of I'm Yours

When I open the front door of the studio, Lindsay is the first person to walk through the door. A knowing smile splits her lips and she grabs my hand, leans in close, and gives me a hug. “Good morning, Sadie.”

“Morning, Lindsay,” I murmur, touching my lips and hoping to cover up the smile that seems to be planted there permanently. Not that I want to hide my happiness.

Soon the rest of the morning class starts filing in, everyone removing the bulk of their clothing getting ready to sweat. The ladies are stretching and talking and I keep waiting for someone to ask me about Reed but no one does. I’m a little surprised but thankful.

In this class, everyone is at different levels. While one might be learning the basics, others are far more advanced. Everyone learns at their own pace and helps each other along the way. I emphasize safety so if someone isn’t quite ready to flip upside down and grip the pole with their legs, I would strongly discourage it.

Music filters through the speakers and I walk around the room, talking and checking in with each of my students to see what their goals are, what moves they’re trying to perfect. I help anyone who needs it and demonstrate a few turns and holds. A lot of the ladies have been trying to perfect their seahorse shape, so I focus on that, gripping the pole and bending my legs so they’re at somewhat of a ninety-degree angle to the floor and arching my back, curving my arms behind me.

A few of the girls clap and others watch closely. “Lindsay, this is one you just recently learned. Care to help me demonstrate?”

She nods, smiling and sucking in a calming breath as she challenges herself to do a seahorse for everyone. The room erupts in chaos as the almost sixty-year-old woman shows us what she’s got. She’s not totally there yet, but that doesn’t stop anyone from encouraging her to keep at it and try her hardest.

The community we’ve built within these walls is nothing short of amazing to me. Everyone understands what it’s like to start at the beginning and there’s no judgement for what level anyone starts at. Plus, it’s fun.

An hour later, I’ve taught a new routine to some 80’s classic hairbands music and everyone is all smiles. Once class is done, the ladies depart, saying goodbye and thanking me for a fun class and I go back home to shower and take care of a few things. Reed’s going to be busy on the ranch today which means I can catch up on laundry and bookwork for the studio. The knowledge that I gave Reed’s plans for the day a thought when I’m deciding what to do gives me pause.

How quick did I jump right into being Reed’s girl? It doesn’t feel too soon and I can’t help but wonder what that means. He only just came back to town a few months ago and already I am planning my time around when I can see him. This isn’t good. My heart shouldn’t be this invested in him already. Should it? Though, I’m not sure my heart was evernotinvested in Reed Sanders. Butterflies flutter in my stomach and my heart races just at the thought of Reed. Of being his girl.

It feels like a dream come true, as corny as that might sound. It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

I pull into my garage and push the button to close the door behind me and go into the house. It’s still early, just a little after seven in the morning. The early class isn’t something I’d originally planned to offer but a lot of the women who attend are moms, both who stay at home and work outside the home, and that’s when it works best for them. They can wake early, come to class, go back home and help get everyone ready for school and they’re done with their workout for the day.

For me, though, it’s exhausting. Worth it, but exhausting.

After brewing a cup of coffee, I open the shades so I can look out over the lake and curl up on the couch for a few minutes. It’s a beautiful morning. The sun sparkling off the bright blue waters looks like diamonds. The mountains rise out of the water, overlooking the lake like they’re the caretakers sent to watch over it. Pine trees cover the ground, growing from the rocky dirt and soil.

I haven’t traveled much. Actually, I haven’t traveled at all, but even still I know deep down that I live in the most beautiful place on earth. Even in the winter when the days are short and the snow falls from the sky with such ease, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else other than northwest Montana.

I hum in contentment, sipping on the dark Brazilian roast and feeling completely relaxed. After a fun class this morning and an even more fun night between the sheets with Reed, I’m almost ready to take a nap. But the doorbell rings and I know the nap will have to wait. Assuming it’s Reed, I open the door with a bright smile on my face.

“Wow, you’re sure happy to see me.”

I roll my eyes and open the door wider so Kandace can come in.

“I’m always happy to see you.”

“Notthathappy. I assume you were expecting someone else? Maybe someone with dark hair and dark eyes and tattoos that cover all those sexy muscles?”

“You have dark hair and dark eyes and tattoos.”

“That I do!” she jokes.

“Coffee?”

“Obviously.”

I pull a mug down from the cupboard and slip a pod into the machine to brew her a cup and hand it over to her once it’s finished. She grabs some half-and-half out of the fridge and adds a little splash, not even stirring it before she starts drinking. “Eww. You’re not going to stir it in?”

“I just need caffeine.”

I raise my eyebrows. “What’s wrong?”

“Long morning.”

“Already?”

We settle in my living room and she takes the big oversized chair while I return to my spot on the couch. “Being a single mom is rough.”

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