“I’m impressed.” Warily, I eye Aunt Iris, hoping she doesn’t press me to kiss Callie again, even though I want to.
After others get set up, I unroll my mat behind everyone else, where I hope to keep a low profile. Unfortunately, Aunt Iris has other ideas.
“Ooh, it’s Max! It’s so good to see you. Why don’t you move your mat over here?” With big arm movements, she gestures to the space beside her.
“It’s good to see you, too.” I wave a hand at her but ignore her suggestion.
“C’mon over here, Max, so I can see you better.”
Callie, who’s getting ready to start the session, appears flustered, but her sister speaks up. “It looks like Max is fine right where he is, Aunt Iris.”
The older woman lets out a huff of frustration. “But I can’tseehim back there.” This sets off a wave of giggles among all of the other women, most of them turning their necks to get a look for themselves.
All of this is leading me to the conclusion that I’d be better off doing yoga at home watching videos, rather than attending classes. Or maybe Callie could lead me in private sessions. No, on second thought, that would be much too tempting, and I can’t imagine that scenario right now unless I want to pitch a tent in my athletic shorts.
Under no circumstances do I want to know what Aunt Iris would have to say about me popping a boner.
Callie gets us started with some rhythmic breathing, and I do my best to follow along. Initially, I wasn’t a fan of the stillness, and I didn’t see how breathing, something we do all day, every day, should be a part of a fitness class, but I’ve been starting to see the value in focusing the mind.
In the short time since I started attending yoga classes, I’ve been sleeping more soundly, and I’ve been thinking more clearly—except, that is, when Callie’s around.
I swear I can smell her scent on the breeze with each inhale. Or maybe it’s just imprinted on my brain. A woman has never affected me this way, and the timing couldn’t be worse.
I’m relieved when she starts into the flow portion of class. Getting the poses right, and keeping my balance, gives me something to focus on besides the memory of how Callie’s lips tasted last night. She responded to my kiss in a way I hadn’t expected, and if we’d been alone, I’d have needed to find out more.
The sequence Callie’s leading us through is fairly easy, and I wish it was more difficult, because my brain needs a diversion. There’s plenty else Ishouldbe focusing on, but Callie’s currently in a low lunge, and all I can think about is wrapping my hands around her waist, sliding one up toward her chest, the other down toward that perfect ass.
The screen on my phone, which I’d set at the top of my mat, lights up with a silent message. I bend forward to read it, and wow, there’s the more challenging pose I’d been hoping for. Thankfully, I catch myself before I topple to the side.
Max: “Can you break away?”
Callie is facing the other direction, twisting in the pose, so I grab my phone, my fingers flying. Then I roll up my mat and exit as quickly and quietly as I can.
CHAPTER 27
CALLIE
Is it weird that I sense Miles’s absence before I catch sight of him walking away?
It’s definitely weird, but I feel something shift before I come out of my twist, and then I see his figure disappearing inside the hotel’s side entrance.
At first, I worry that it’s Max I’m seeing, but a quick scan of our little yoga group confirms that Miles has left.
Maybe it’s work? Or maybe, like me, he’s finding our proximity to be torture?
Since this isn’t a formal class, I’m not walking around adjusting people’s poses, and it’s a good thing, because there’s no way I could lay my hands on him today. I’m afraid I’d let my hands linger far too long, or start touching more than I should.
But that’s not a problem now, since he’s left. Maybe Max will come out and take his place?
Trying not to worry about the reason for Miles’s departure, I carry on with the class, resisting the urge to cut it short so I can go investigate.
When we’re finally atshavasana,the still pose at the end, I should be enjoying the warmth of the sun on my face and the cool, ocean breeze on my skin, but it’s impossible to quiet my busy mind.
I wonder how Max reacted when Miles told him he’d kissed me, and now that I’ve kissed one of them, and Aunt Iris witnessed it—assuming she remembers—will we be expected to kiss in front of others? Would it be strange if we don’t? I wonder how Max’s kiss would feel, compared to his brother’s.
Someone clears their throat, and I realize I have no idea how long I’ve been lying here daydreaming. “When you’re ready,” I say in my soothing teacher voice, “roll onto your side, and then slowly come to a seated position.” As soon as I’m upright, I look around for Miles, but there’s no sight of him or Max.
I’m not the only one looking for them.
