My stomach drops. "Juliet, you don't have to do that. It was your idea to implement the program. I just helped with the details."
"Are you kidding? You designed it. You built the metrics and tracking system. You're running it and getting results." Her voice is firm, brooking no argument. "You get credit for your work. Don't argue with me about this."
"Thanks." A wobbly smile manages its way onto my face. "I promise to make you look good."
After she leaves with Mollie, I look down at the document. Juliet sharing credit with me feels too big. What if the coaches think I'm overstepping? What if they decide I don't have the credentials to be listed as a co-author?
But erasing my name without telling Juliet seems sneaky. Causing her to lose trust is the last thing I want to happen, so I leave it for now.
By late afternoon, Hunter shows up to collect Juliet. Leaning against the doorframe, all brooding intensity and barely-contained energy radiates from him. His eyes lock on his wife like she's the only person in the room. Everyone else fades to background noise.
Part of me thinks she’s lucky. Part of me is worried that Hunter will kill her and wear her like a skin suit. She doesn’t seem the least bit concerned, though, so I mind my own business.
When Juliet walks over to him, he murmurs something in her ear that makes her blush and swat at his chest. She's smiling though. It's a private smile that says whatever he said was filthy and perfect and exactly what she wanted to hear.
Keeping his hand on the small of her back as they leave shows his possession, but also his gentleness. Claiming her without making her small.
Back at the condo, I put my leggings on and unroll myyoga mat in the living room. Centering myself, shaking off the weight of the day feels necessary. Moving through sun salutations, breathing deep, letting the familiar poses ground me helps. Warrior one. Warrior two. Triangle pose.
My body knows these movements like a language, flowing from one to the next without thought. It doesn’t bring any sense of calmness or peace, though. My body is restless.
That night, I lie down and open up Twinge, needing to feel some connection. And, I guess, I want to feel some positive affirmation. So sue me. I pull up the conversation with StatMan, the only guy I’ve even talked to, and fish for compliments.
Yoga4Lyfe
What drew you to talk to me?
StatMan12
What do you mean?
Yoga4Lyfe
My profile? My photos??
StatMan12
If I'm honest, the pic of you teaching a yoga class grabbed my interest. But then we started talking, and I realized how pure and good you are.
Yoga4Lyfe
I'm not that pure and good.
StatMan12
You are. You're sweet and clean as sunshine.
Yoga4Lyfe
What if I want to be dirty?
StatMan12
Are you a little horny?
Yoga4Lyfe
Exceedingly horny.
