Page 33 of Basil

“I didn’t,” he told me cheekily. “I just didn’t want to suffer alone.”

16

DOWNWARD DOG

SUMMER

Iwas perfectly balanced—my mind was clear, my breath steady, and my body aligned intadasana,themountain pose…untilhewalked into my yoga class.

What the ever-loving fuck?

I wobbled, nearly tipped over, caught myself, and glared at him.

“Focus,” Meadow laughingly called from where she was on her yoga mat. A few others in my class tittered at that.

Focus?Focus? How was I supposed to do that when six feet two inches of broad-shouldered, shaggy-haired distraction had just strolled into my class with dimples?

That’s when I heard someone say, “I’d lose my pose any time for him.”

“Hey, Sunshine.” He grinned at me.

He was in joggers and a tank top.Seriously?

“What are you doing here?” I hissed.

“Meadow invited me.”

I glared at Meadow as some of my students snickered. Basil calmly walked up to Meadow and rolled out his yoga mat.

“Please continue, I’ll catch up.” He casually stretched his arms above his head, his tank top riding up just enough to distract me further. “Just here to get intouchwith my spiritual side.”

And then…he had the nerve to flash me his dimpled, innocent-as-sin smile.

Son of a bitch!

“Alright, back to mountain pose. Root through all four corners of your feet,” I instructed, walking through the rows of students. “Engage your thighs, draw your belly in, and roll your shoulders back.”

Basil stood stock-still, looking far too smug for someone who had no idea what he was doing.

I narrowed my eyes.Oh, he thinks this is easy, does he?

I stepped up behind him, placing a hand lightly between his shoulder blades. “Stand taller,” I murmured, and pressed against him.

His breath hitched.

Oh, well, isn’t that interesting?

I fought a smirk. “And tuck your pelvis slightly. You’re standing like a guy who spends too much time at a desk.”

“Stop it, this is a yoga class, not soft porn,” Meadow whispered loudly enough for several students to hear. Laughter rang through the studio.

“Cut it out, Meadow.”

My best friend chuckled.

Basil glanced at me but did as he was told, adjusting his posture. I stepped back and gave into the urge to admire how ridiculously good he looked.

Focus, Summer!

---