“Do you agree with his observation?” Sebastianasked.
I needed to move back to my side of the seat, but I didn’t want to. Sebastian wasn’t pulling away, either. I couldn’t forget why we were really here, though. The moment I started seeing Sebastian as anything other than a colleague was the moment I could no longer trust my judgment aroundhim.
I slid away from him. “I don’t think so,” Isaid.
“Oh, Keller.” He sighed. “For someone so smart, you can really be clueless on some things, can’tyou?”
“I amnotclueless.” Justin had clearly shared his thoughts with Sebastian, so I could only assume by his reaction that he agreed. Or was it that he’d finally figured out there was more advantage to making a friend than an enemy ofme?
I hoped it was the former, and that scared me. As did my hope that itwasn’tthe latter. Could I trust myself to keep a clear head and not fall for someone who had no plans to cross the line from hate tolove?
Kenny screeched to a stop. “Nine-and-a-half minutes. That’s got to be a record.” He turned in his seat to look back at us, panting as if he’d run a marathon. “Maybe don’t mention this in my review. My boss won’t appreciate the rush order, if you know what Imean.”
“Thanks, man.” Sebastian stopped me as I went for my door. “Come out my side. Yours opens intotraffic.”
I slid out after Sebastian as he jogged off with the dogs. “Come on,” he called over his shoulder. “It alreadystarted.”
As eager as I was to find out whatitwas, I rarely jogged for anything that wasn’t a traveling ice cream cart. I followed them into McCarren Park, where a large group of people—and their dogs—took various positions on rubber mats. A couple instructors walked through and arranged the dogs in what looked likestretches.
“When I asked about what to wear,” I said as I approached Sebastian, “you might’ve mentionedthis.”
He arranged four mats in the back row, squatting to unroll them. “Why the hell would I?” he asked, glancing up to scan my bare legs from the hem of my dress to myankles.
Piano played in the background. I helped Sebastian position each dog between us using treats from my Bruno bag to get them to stay. Bruno sat on his haunches, panting as he looked around, probably trying to determine the nearest source offood.
An instructor came by and set bowls of water in front of Opal and Bruno. “Welcome to the class,” she said. “I’mMichelle.”
“How does this work?” I asked, removing mybooties.
“We’re here promoting the new doggy gym and daycare facility we’re opening in Union Square,” she said with a smile. “Today, we’re just having fun. Dogs get exercise, treats, and some special attention from me and my partner. Humans get a freeclass.”
“Don’t tell her it’s free,” Sebastian said, trying and failing to touch his toes. “I don’t want her to think I’m a cheapdate.”
“Sorry about that,” Michelle said, positioning herself behind Bruno. “Set an intention for the day, then get into the downward-facing dog position like my colleague at thefront.”
“Since I’m in a dress, I think I’ll stick with upward-facing dog,” I said, lying on my stomach so I wouldn’t give the crowd of onlookers ashow.
Sebastian leaned forward on his outstretched arms, extending his legs behind him. “But I’ve been dying to see what kind of panties Georgina Keller wears—ifany.”
“You should’ve asked.Georgewears boxer briefs like mostguys.”
Sebastian scowled, obviously uncomfortable in his position. “Veryfunny.”
The teacher got Bruno to roll onto his back, then took his paws and stretched him. I looked past her. “Here’s something you can use in the article. The right girl won’t care if you spend money on her,” I told Sebastian. “That’s the point of planning around her interests.That’swhat’ll impress her—not how much you paid forPilates.”
“Puplates,” Sebastian correctedme.
“We just call it yoga for dogs,” Michellesaid.
“Really?” Sebastian frowned. “Not evendoga?”
“No.”
Hetsked. “Missedopportunity.”
I arched my back, lifting my head to thesky.
“Nice form,” Michelle said before returning to thefront.
