Page 4 of The Yoga Teacher

He opened the envelope, pulling out the glossy membership card with the studio’s lotus flower logo. His eyes flicked over it, expression unreadable.

“Six months,” Hannah said, watching him carefully. “I know it’s not totally your thing, but I thought it could be… our thing. Something we do together on the weekend.”

Daniel looked up with a smile that Hannah could tell it was a little forced, but at least he was trying.

“Wow. That’s... thoughtful.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Thanks.”

Hannah linked her arm through his, nudging him gently. “I know it’s not your favorite present. That’s why I got you the whiskey too—don’t worry, I haven’t completely lost my mind.” She grinned. “But you might actually like it. And hey, it’ll keep you young. Mobility, flexibility—all that good stuff.”

Daniel let out a real chuckle this time, shaking his head as he pocketed the card. “You sound like my father.”

Hannah wrinkled her nose. "Okay, that was uncalled for."

She had no idea if he’d actually use the membership. But it was enough for her that he had shown up today. Hannah rested her head briefly against his shoulder, the soft press of her temple a quiet thank you she didn’t say aloud.

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The restaurant hummed with laughter and the low clink of glasses, warm and lively. Hannah sat next to Daniel, his handresting lazily on her thigh beneath the table, as their friends and family chatted around them.

She’d reached out Daniel’s family, as well as their mutual friends. It had taken effort, but seeing Daniel surrounded by the people who loved him made it all worth it.

“Daniel is finally officially in his thirties,” Mia, Hannah’s best friend, said from across the table. “You’re both just… boring grown-ups now.”

Hannah laughed, reaching for her wine. “You’ve been thirty for six months already. You’re practically a veteran.”

Mia narrowed her eyes playfully. “That’s rude.”

James, Mia’s husband, smirked as he clinked his beer against Daniel’s. His arm was curled around Mia’s shoulder, and he tugged her in with the kind of ease that came from doing it a thousand times before. “Thirty, man. How’s it feel?”

Daniel exhaled dramatically. “I don’t know yet—does thirty come with a midlife crisis starter pack, or do I have to order that separately?”

"Depends," Steve chimed in, grinning. "I think you have to pick an extreme sport or buy a motorcycle. Or start a podcast. That’s a big thirty-year-old move."

Daniel groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. "God, please don’t let me start a podcast."

Laughter rippled through the table. Hannah rolled her eyes fondly, squeezing his knee.

Daniel’s father tipped his glass toward James. “Age is all about mindset. Look at me! Stay sharp, stay active, and you’ll never feel old.”

Across the table, Daniel’s mother sat quietly, sipping her wine, a polite smile fixed in place. She hadn’t said much all evening, and Hannah didn’t blame her. Daniel’s father took up a lot of the oxygen in a room.Daniel’s parents couldn’t have been more different. His mother dressed her age. His father looked like he was trying to pass for thirty—designer blazer and sneakers. Hannah couldn’t picture them together if she tried. They’d been divorced for decades now, but the mismatch still baffled her.

“You know,” James added, “when I turned thirty, I started gettingreallyinto stretching. Back pain is no joke. It sneaks up on you.”

Hannah gasped, delighted. “See? This is why yoga is a good idea!”

CHAPTER TWO

Daniel

DANIEL STUDIED HIS reflection in the restroom mirror.

Thirty.He didn’t feel any different, but the number sat heavy in his chest, heavier than he wanted to admit.

He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling, trying to shake off the strange weight pressing down on him. It wasjusta birthday. Just another year. He’d felt fine that morning. He’d feltbetterthan fine waking up beside Hannah, wrapped in her warmth.

Daniel sighed, rolling his shoulders back and heading back toward the restaurant.

“Son.”

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