Page 59 of Crazy in Love

She huffed, opened her eyes, and promptly rolled them at him. “You’re not taking this very seriously. Are you wasting my time?”

“No. All right. All right. I’m trying. This just seems weird.”

“To visualize properly, you have to be extremely detailed. Know what you’re wearing, what you smell, see, and feel. You gotta put yourself there.”

“Fine. Um, hiking boots, jeans, and my favorite flannel.”

“Do you have the cane?”

“No.”

“Good. How does your leg feel?”

“It hurts like hell.”

“No, in your vision. Focus on how youwantit to feel.”

He sighed. “There must be a learning curve on this stuff,” he mumbled. It took him a second to relax again, but for an instant, the pain melted away. Maybe the stress and tensionwereaffecting it.

“Your mind affects everything. Your body holds the key to healing. Together, they have profound power.”

“You know, I can think of another way to relieve stress.” He waggled his eyebrows, and she laughed and stood.

“All right. We’re done for today. You were a terrible student, but I recommend you try it again at home. By yourself. Where no one can see you, and you won’t feel so inhibited.”

“Thanks for trying.” He stood and wrapped his arms around her. “You were a fantastic teacher, and I will try it later.” He kissed her until they heard someone coming down the short hallway.

She stepped back just as Ruby entered.

Faith smoothly pretended they were finishing up a conversation. “In conclusion, this stuff’s for your mind. Yoga will help your body. Seriously, you should try a class.”

“I’ll think about it,” he said, passing Ruby on his way out. “Later, ladies.”

His opportunity came the following day. Nick sat, reading on a park bench and minding his own business when he heard them coming. A gaggle of women, toting yoga mats and half-gallon water bottles. As they approached, he saw the age range was wide. Faith led the group and made eye contact as she rounded the path.

“Nick.” Her eyes brightened. “How perfect you’re here. Wanna join us for a yoga class?”

No was on the tip of his tongue, but he remembered his commitment to do anything needed to get better. And the doctor had said it could help his recovery. “I’m not dressed right. And I don’t have a mat.”

She took in his cargo shorts and T-shirt. “You can use my mat. And your clothes are fine.”

“Join us, Nick. You’ll love it,” Mrs. Norris said.

“You just want to check out his ass,” Mrs. Shaw chimed in.

“Hush, you two,” Mrs. Baker said. “Maybe a man in the class will entice us to talk less and work harder.”

Faith looked at him, mirth in her eyes, and pressed her lips together. “We’ll go easy on you. I promise.”

From the looks of things, it was an over-sixty class. How hard could that be to keep up with? He closed his book. “Okay.”

“Really?” Faith’s eyebrows jumped toward her hairline.

“Let’s not make a big deal of it.” He grabbed his cane and fell in line. They walked a short distance to a clearing near the park’s gazebo. The women laid out their mats and stood next to them. Faith put him in the middle of the front row, which meant he was surrounded by a half-dozen geriatric yogis. Of course her mat was pink.

“All right, ladies. Oh, and gentleman,” she called. “Arms up and breathe in.”

“Nick, feel free to take your shirt off,” Mrs. Shaw said. “It’s awfully warm, and we wouldn’t mind.” Hums of agreement came from all sides.

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