Page 7 of For the Win

“Do you have a business card?”Everly asks.

I blink.“Yes.”I move over to the counter and pluck one from the holder.“Here you go.”

No idea why she wants it, but whatever.

“Thanks.See you next week.”

Is she going to bring her brother again?Crap.

It doesn’t matter.I am capable of anything.

* * *

Tajand I are sitting on the patio at The Golden Fish on the Venice Boardwalk later that day.The tables are wooden, the sun is low over the ocean, and we’re with some of Taj’s friends, Arlo, Indigo and Janey, who are now my friends too.Taj’s boyfriend Ziggy owns this place, so we hang out here a lot.It’s got that casual beach vibe, cool and laid-back, with the scent of ocean and sun-warmed sand mingling with coconut sunscreen and marijuana.Lots of marijuana.

I sip my beer, one of the many interesting choices Ziggy has on tap here.Taj is drinking kombucha with Longboard lager.I’ve finished off my tuna poke bowl, which was delicious.

I look around as Taj and Arlo talk about the beach cleanup they’re organizing for next weekend.

I can’t believe I’m living here.

This is so far from home.Back in Fargo, North Dakota, the snow might be melting...or they might be having a late season blizzard.I’m letting the sun warm my face, sitting near the Pacific Ocean, listening to Hozier, drinking a delicious beer.I let out a long, slow breath of peace.

It might sound weird, but sometimes I get homesick, no matter how wonderful it is here.We all complained about the snow and cold, but weirdly, there are moments I miss it.And I miss my family.But life is good here.Uncomplicated.Relaxed.Chill.

Maybe a wee bit boring, but that’s my own fault.I’m learning to take bigger steps, bigger risks.Not like skydiving or anything, just...small risks.

“Tell these guys about your class today,” Taj says to me with a grin.

I shake my head, smiling ruefully.“I got dumped in the water.”

Arlo, Indigo, and Janey laugh, Janey’s eyes going wide.“No!”

“Some guys were joking around, and one of them laughed so hard he fell in.”I pause.“Actually, I was having a hard time not laughing myself.”

“What did they say?”

I repeat Harrison and Wyatt’s comments and everyone cracks up.

“So, he’s flailing around in the water, knocks into my board, and I go in too.”I roll my eyes, still smiling.“Oh my God, I was in shock!I couldn’t believe that just happened.”

“Why are they coming to your class if they’re just going to fuck around?”Indigo frowns and flicks her black hair off her face.

“Yeah, I don’t know.This guy’s been before.His sister is one of my regulars, I guess she convinced him to come, but clearly he’s not really into yoga.”I pause.“He wanted to take me out to dinner to make up for it.”

“Ah!”They all react with the same knowing nod.

I frown.“What?”

“He’s just trying to get your attention,” Janey says.“That’s why he’s acting out.”

“That’s probably why he came to your class,” Indigo adds.

Hewasflirting with me and trying to impress me, but I doubt that was the reason he was there.“We’re not in grade school,” I mutter.“He doesn’t need to pull my hair or snap my bra strap to get my attention.”

They all laugh.

“You obviously turned him down.”Taj nudges me with his elbow.

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