“No shit. I was just texting her. Were you working the desk?”
“Actually, Atlas introduced us because I’m teaching the beginner yoga class she signed up for.”
“Why are you teaching the beginner yoga class?”
Chai normally worked the front desk and had her own personal training clients. She had experience with yoga, but I’d never known her to teach any classes…
“Our normal instructor is really busy with her own studio, and I wanted to make a little extra money, so I told Atlas I would—”
“Do you need money, hun? You know I’m happy to help you. The past few months have been a lot for you.” I hated the idea of her struggling, especially when I had more money than I knew what to do with.
She let out an exasperated breath. “Dad, if I really needed help, I’d ask you, but I like being independent. It’s not like I’m in dire straits or anything. I’m just trying to make up for the work I missed.”
That was my kid. Headstrong and independent. Sometimes I loved it; other times she made me want to rip my hair out.
“Just remember the offer’s always there, kid. I’ve got your back.”
“I know, Dad. I never doubted that for a second.”
I grinned, feeling like this was one of those parenting wins. “So, what did you think about Pam?”
I was dying to know her thoughts. After all, she was the one who encouraged me to start dating again. Chai had zero hang-ups when it came to my relationship with her mother. We’d been divorced for so long that she’d never harbored any negative feelings toward anyone new I brought into my life—unless it was deserved.
“She is freaking precious. I mean, I figured she was going to be a total sweetheart because Tegan is, but Reece is also her kid…”
“Is he really that bad?” I asked with a laugh. The more I learned about Reece, the more anxious I got about meeting him one day.
“He’s a lot better with Cyrus in the picture, but I’ve heard he was kind of a jerk before that.”
What Pam and those photographs told me about Don came to mind. Poor Reece was probably riddled with childhood trauma, and he’d likely dealt with it the unhealthy way a ‘man’s man’ was taught to—by lashing out.
“Well, at least he’s working on himself. From what Pam told me, his father wasn’t the best role model.”
“We can’t all have amazing dads.”
I laughed, feeling the tension from the meeting slipping away. “You did get pretty lucky, didn’t you? But that’s enough stroking my ego. Tell me more about the class you’re teaching. I want to know what Pam is in for.”
“It’s Hatha yoga for beginners, so I’ll be focusing on poses and breathing exercises. Making sure they have good form. We’ll discuss mantras and meditation, so there’s a mental health component to it as well.”
Mantras.
Since Pam had read that book, mantras and affirmations had become her thing. She’d even texted me one this morning:I release all negativity from my mind and body.
It was perfect for the afternoon I’d had.
“She’s going to love that. I think she’s on a little bit of a journey.”
“I hope she does, and I mean, yoga is a healthier coping mechanism than buying a sports car.”
“Are you forgetting that we met on a dating app, went on one date, and decided to embark on a long-distance relationship? I think we’re both having some sort of crisis.”
It was the first time I’d admitted it—but maybe I was. Perhaps this whole thing with Pam and with work was the culmination of my age and loneliness catching up with me.
Chai sighed and I imagined her tail was twitching with annoyance. “Dad, you’re not having a crisis. You met, hit it off, and decided to see where things go. And honestly, with the way everything fell into place, the whole thing feels like it might be fate.”
“Fate, huh?”
“Even if minotaurs don’t have fated mates, the universe works in mysterious ways. I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time.”
