There’s a small pinch in his brow but he covers it up quickly. It’s the same vulnerable Dane I remember from the first night in the hostel when Ethan ran out on us. When he told me about Celeste. It’s also the same Dane I recall covering up his emotions with that gorgeous smile of his, attempting to push aside any hurt he might feel.
“After that class, I feel amazing.”
“You were right. She’s so good,”I sign excitedly.
“Mimi,” Dane calls out, waving her over. I glance up at him wide eyed as Mimi steps toward us. I have no idea what I will look like when I’m pregnant but I can only hope it’s half as good as she looks.
“Mimi, this is Hannah, the girl I was telling you about. Hannah, this is Mimi. She’s the owner of the studio and married to my friend Seamus.” Dane introduces us like he has every intention of us being friends.
“I’ve heard so much about you.” She smiles as she raises her arm and pulls me in for a hug. “Sorry, I don’t do that handshake thing.”
I can’t help but smile back at her. She’s got such amazing energy and I can see why she would get along so well with Dane.
“Dane hasn’t stopped talking about you and Ethan since Paris,” Mimi adds.
I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me how open Dane is but I’m still surprised she’s sharing that with me. I can’t help butblush and share a shy smile while Dane's expression owns every word like he’s proud of that fact.
Tapping on my throat I pick up my phone and type out,Your class was amazing.
I turn the phone screen toward her and she smiles wide. “Thank you. I’m so glad you came. Will you be able to come regularly?”
I nod, because I actually bought a class pack and had every intention of making this a regular thing even before I found out how great Mimi is.
“Great!” she says excitedly. “Oh, here.” She grabs my phone and types in her name and number. “Text me sometime and we can hang out.”
Smiling wider, I nod again. I don’t have many girlfriends. Frankly speaking, I don’t have many friends at all. I don’t get to have normal conversations and because I can’t speak, people can’t get to know me. It’s easier to walk away and not work on a friendship with someone unless they also speak ASL.
“Actually, you should come by the stadium today and hang out with all of us.”
My eyebrows raise and I look over at Dane. “Yeah, you and Ethan both. You guys are more than welcome.” His words are reserved as if he knows that we would automatically say no. And in most cases that would be my normal response. But after how I’ve felt this week about how things ended in his office and how hurt Dane was by Ethan’s sharp accusation, I’m tired of feeling guilty and holding back.
I think we all are and if I need to push Ethan over the ledge with me, I will.
Plus, game seven of the World Series at the stadium? Ethan will secretly love every single minute of that.
“If you’re sure. We’d love to come.”
His eyes widen with a smile as he mouths,yeah?
“Yay! I’m so excited,” Mimi celebrates. “I’ll text you all the details.”
“Sounds good,”I sign and glance at Dane to gesture to him to tell her as I step backward, waving.
Exiting the studio, I get in my car and before I even put it inDriveMimi has added me into a group text with Dane providing me all the details for the game, what time to be there, and shared a screenshot of the location pinpointed on a map.
I don’t know if it was meeting Mimi, the class, or seeing Dane but my mood is lifted and I can’t help but smile as I walk through the door of our apartment.
It’s a small one-bedroom but in a nice area and close to campus. There are a lot of college students that live here purely for the convenience and location.
Closing the door, I kick off my shoes and make my way to the living room. There’s a kitchen island that separates the living space from the kitchen and I tend to always make my way there first.
Ethan pads barefoot and shirtless in the kitchen, his joggers sit low on his waist showing off the V-line at his hips and the view is absolutely mouthwatering.
“Hey baby, how was class?” he asks.
“Good. You’ll never guess who I saw.”
“Ooh, let me guess.” He rounds the island, grabbing my waist as he lifts me on top of it. He fits perfectly between my legs as he leans in kissing my neck. “Big-boobed Jodi from class came to yoga class in a mini skirt and heels,” he says because she dresses inappropriately for every place we’ve ever seen her.
