Page 6 of For the Win

He has amazing blue eyes.

“I didn’t intend for that to happen, it was an accident, and I’m really sorry that we disrupted your class.”

“It’s fine.Forgiveness and letting go are an important part of yoga.”

He studies my face.“That’s very...generous of you.We were assholes.”He scrunches up his face.“Sorry.”

I have to smile now.“It’s okay, I may have thought that myself.But exhalation is the act of letting go.”

“Could I take you out for a drink...or dinner?To make it up to you?”

I blink.“That’s not necessary.”

“I know it’s not, but I’d like to.”His smile is genuine and open.

Getting hit on by customers is not usual, since my classes are made up of mostly women, although it has happened.I don’t dateanyone, never mind customers, and especially not men I don’t know.For a moment, I’m tempted...that unpretentious smile, those warm eyes focused solely on me...he’s making it hard, but I just can’t.“I’m sorry, but no.”

“Oh.”His face clouds.“Everly said she thinks you have a boyfriend.”

What?“No,” I say before I can stop myself.

His eyes brighten.“Okay, then!”

“But I can’t go out with you.”

Disappointment tugs at his lips again.He opens his mouth to say something more, and I sense he’s going to try to persuade me.My fingers and toes tingle as adrenaline surges through my body, my stomach clenching.“I have to go.”

I bolt into the ladies’ changing room and shut the door behind me.My heart knocks in my chest, and for a moment I wish I could lock the door behind me.There are other women in the room, though.

I am brave.

I lift my chin and smile, making my way to the locker in the back where I keep my things.My insides knotted, my skin clammy, I fake a calm that I don’t feel as I change into a pair of cropped yoga pants and a top.Then I head to the counter and mirrors along one wall to dry my hair.

I convinced Taj to let me make some improvements to this changing room, so it didn’t look like the marina bathroom it once was.I added a couple of hair dryers and a few feminine accessories.It’s not the ideal setup, but it works for the classes I do here.

Breathe in courage...breathe out doubt.

Harrison Whoever is probably harmless, and I probably could have gone out for one drink, and it probably would have been fun...but I’m still uneasy about doing that.

When I exitthe changing room, I find Everly still hanging around.The man with her is the one who made the joke that caused Harrison to fall into the ocean.She approaches me, and he’s a couple steps behind her.Big guy, very handsome.

“Arya,” she says.“I’m so sorry about the class.”

I smile at her.I like Everly.She’s been coming to my class for a while, along with her friend Taylor, and she’s always been into it and respectful of the practice.“No need for you to apologize.”

“He’s my brother,” she says.“Harrison.”She rolls her eyes.“I convinced him to come that first time, so I feel responsible for his antics.”

“You’re not responsible for anyone but yourself.”

“You’re so sweet.You handled that amazingly well.”

“Iapologize,” the guy with her speaks up.“I’m Wyatt.”He extends a hand and I shake it.“We shouldn’t have been joking around like that.”

“I told your...Harrison that it’s fine.I’ve let it go.”I smile.“Shit happens.”

They both let out surprised laughs.“It does,” Everly agrees.

“It’s healthy to find the humor in things,” I add, smiling.“I need to get to my next class.”

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