“I see. For what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re the problem, but it’s true that sometimes you need things to go exactly your way,” Blair says gently. “Maybe try an activity where Rowan has to make the decisions and you can try taking a back seat, so to speak.”
“I agree, you don’t have to do anything too outside your comfort zone. How about couple’s yoga? Spencer and I do something similar too. It’s really important to trust your partner in a team sport,” Isla says.
“It’s not that I don’t trust him, of course I do. It’s just hard to let go, I guess,” I say.
“Is playing doubles something you even want to do?” Blair asks. “You’ve never mentioned it before.”
“I’ve never really thought about it, honestly.”
“That might be part of it too. If you’re not fully in it, of course it’s going to be a challenge,” Isla adds.
“You’re right. I’ll ponder it some more and find some bonding activities. Thanks, gals. You’re the best.”
“Best of luck, hit me up if you want more bonding ideas,” Isla says, dropping off the call.
“Love you to the Moon, babe,” Blair says, giving me a smile.
“Love you to Saturn,” I respond, feeling lighter now that I’ve talked it through. Now I just need to find a yoga studio.
CHAPTER 20
Rowan
March - Palm Beach
The next morning,Maggie drags me out of bed at an ungodly hour for couples yoga. I don’t even know where she found this studio that’s open at four in the morning, but the plus side is that there aren’t very many people here.
I rub the sleep away from my eyes and rest my head on Maggie’s shoulder as the instructor tries to tell us something about the intermediate and advanced poses we’ll be working on today.
“Shouldn’t we be in a beginner’s class?” I mumble against Maggie’s bare shoulder. She’s wearing a pair of matching tight Athlala shorts and sports bra. The navy color brings out the blue in her eyes and I find myself staring, admiring her.
“This was the earliest class I could find. Besides, the beginner classes had something easy like holding hands and breathing together. We can do better than that,” she says, her competitive side showing.
“Let’s start with something easy, everyone sit back to back with your partner, keep your legs crossed at the ankles or shins, and breathe in and out,” the yoga instructor says and we follow suit.
“That’s it, focus on your partner and how they feel against you. Try to sync up your rhythm.” I follow her instructions and focus on Maggie’s inhales and exhales, trying to clear my head.
“Now face each other and form a V shape with your legs, your feet touching your partner’s. Extend your arms towards one another, holding your partner’s forearm. Now take a deep inhale and slowly let it out as you fold in towards your partner.”
Maggie and I start leaning in at the same time, our heads bumping into each other. “Ow,” she says, pulling her hands back to rub at her head.
“Sorry.” I grimace, brushing the hair off her forehead and rubbing my thumb over the spot. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” She sighs, looking a little deflated. “How are we so bad at this? It’s not like we’ve ever had issues communicating in the past.”
I frown and get us back in position. “I don’t know. We’ll get to the bottom of it, don’t worry.” I smile and sit back, keeping my arms and spine straight. “You do the fold first.”
“Okay.” She nods and slowly folds in on herself as I slowly pull her along for assistance. We alternate back and forth until the instructor moves us along to some more advanced poses.
By the end of the class, I actually feel better about our communication. That is until the instructor tells us to do a double plank. Maggie and I both stare at her, mouths agape, sweat pouring down our faces.
“You can do this,” the instructor says, smiling at us, her hands on both our shoulders. “I believe in you.”
I bite back my smile until she leaves and I turn to look atMaggie. “She believes in us, babe,” I whisper and Maggie slaps both hands over her mouth to stop her laugh from spilling out.
“Stop trying to make me laugh.” She lightly smacks me across my chest and I catch her hand, bringing it to my lips for a kiss.
“If this position kills me, will you take care of Archie?” I joke and get myself down on the mat for a plank.
