Page 147 of The Yoga Teacher

She looked at the phone in her hand.

Only this time, it wasn’t Marcus she was thinking about calling.

It was Daniel.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

Daniel

DANIEL SAT STILL, unusually still, on the soft couch opposite Dr. Ellis. No coffee today. No restless tapping. Just his hands folded in his lap, his expression distant—like something was shifting inside him, but he didn’t know what it was yet.

“I heard she’ll be offered the job,” he said after a long silence.

Dr. Ellis glanced up from her notes. “In Denver?”

He nodded. “It’s everything she’s earned. Everything she deserves.”

Dr. Ellis waited. “And how do you feel about that?”

Daniel swallowed. “It doesn’t matter what I feel.” Daniel looked down at his hands again. “I told myself I would give her space. Wouldn’t cross lines or boundaries.”

There was a beat of silence.

“Wherever Hannah goes, I’ll follow.”

Dr. Ellis didn’t respond right away.

“I know how it sounds,” Daniel went on, the words tumbling faster now. “But it’s not about stalking her or hoping we’ll run into each other at the grocery store. I’d never put her in that position. I’d never want to make her uncomfortable. I won’t reach out. I won’t even tell her I’m there.”

“Then why go?” Dr. Ellis asked softly.

He let out a low, tired breath. “I keep thinking about… the little things. That I won’t know what the weather feels like where she is. I won’t know what flowers are blooming in her city or when the leaves start to turn.” His voice was quiet. “I won’t see the same sky she sees.”

He looked up at Dr. Ellis, brow furrowed. “Is that insane?”

“No,” she said gently.

Daniel’s throat worked. “Hannah is my life. I want to walk those same streets. Feel that same cold morning air. Watch the same sunset she might be watching, even if we’re miles apart.”

A quiet settled between them.

“I can’t pretend I’m over her,” he said finally. “I’m not. I never will be. This isn’t about trying to get her back. It’s just...”

He closed his eyes for a second.

“My heart would be less broken in the same city.”

Dr. Ellis nodded slowly, like something important had just clicked into place.

“And if she never reaches out?”

“I’ll still go,” Daniel said simply. “I’ll live my life. I’ll do good work. I’ll stay out of her way.”

Dr. Ellis offered the faintest smile. “You’re choosing geography as grief management.”

Daniel let out a small laugh. “I guess I am.” Then, more seriously. “It’s about showing up for her. Even if she never sees me.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

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