Page 166 of The Yoga Teacher

She opened her car door. Hesitated.

“Second date?” he asked, trying to sound light, like he was asking with no expectation. His voice sounded steadier than he felt. Beneath it, his heart was a riot. He braced for a no. For silence. For her to look at him like she had that day in the garden—strong and untouchable.

She looked at him for a long moment. Then, with a nod so small it could’ve been missed:

“Yes.”

And then she got in.

And he stood there on the sidewalk, wind cutting across his knuckles, watching her tail lights disappear down the street.

He didn’t cry.

But hedidclose his eyes and whisper a thank you to the universe.

Because it was more than nothing.

Because it was a start.

And because it was hers to give.

CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

Hannah

THE SUN HADN’T burned off the morning chill yet, but the turnout was strong. Kids swarmed the tomato beds, volunteers handed out flyers near the greenhouse, and donors sipped coffee from compostable cups with branded sleeves.

Hannah moved through the space like she belonged there.

Because she did.

Her clipboard was tucked under one arm, and her tank top revealed strong, bare arms dusted with dirt. No makeup. No apology.

She smiled at Morgan, nodded at Carmen, and crouched beside one of the kids to compliment a hand-painted garden sign.

Then she heard it.

A voice. Familiar. Too familiar.

“Hey, good to see you again, Hannah.”

She turned, blinking.

Tristan.

Tristan from the club. Tristan from her bed. Tristan from that night she didn’t plan to remember.

He stood by the compost display, sunglasses pushed to the top of his head, holding a smoothie like he’d wandered in from a pitch meeting.

“I saw the marketing stuff Daniel put together for this,” he said. “It was some great work.”

Her stomach twisted. “What do you mean?”

Tristan grinned. “We’re on the same team. He’s my boss. Kind of. Well—was. Not sure what the hierarchy is now that he’s back.”

Hannah stared at him. Her brain stalled.

“And hey, I had agreattime the other night.” He winked. “Can I grab your number this time?”

---