Nash Brothers Box Set - Carrie Aarons Page 0,22

turquoise mat, I hear a gaggle of laughter coming down the hill from the parking lot. Looking up, there are at least twenty women making their way to us.

A tall blond with perfect curls and long, slim arms, waves at us. “So sorry! We were in the wrong part of the park! So glad we found you in time.”

I hope my mouth isn’t hanging open, and I see Lily wink at me. “Told you, girl. This town will eat a yoga class up.”

The blonde walks up and grabs Lily into a hug and a kiss, and it’c clear these women know each other well.

“Oh, Lily is so right, we have been waiting forever for this. The mom crowd is going to go nuts for this. I’m Penelope, by the way.”

Swallowing, I attempt to remain cool and wave at all of my newcomers, including their clear leader, Penny. “Welcome, everyone! If you could roll out your mats and remove your shoes, we’ll get going here in just a minute. There are coolers of water over there if you need a drink during our practice, and I ask that we try to remain as quiet as possible while we go through our sequences, no matter how many of us fall over, including me!”

That gets some laughs, and two minutes after that, I’m walking them through their first down dog.

Forty minutes later, we’re finishing up, lying on our mats in the middle of the park on a gorgeous summer morning, the blue sky smiling down on us. I lie on my mat, looking up at the clouds, with a huge grin plastered on my face.

I did it. I actually freaking did it.

Hosting a yoga class in the park of the smallest town I’ve ever stepped foot in might not sound like the biggest accomplishment, but for me, it is. I followed through with something, and it went off without much of a hitch. I’d count this as a success, and honestly, I don’t think it’s getting ahead of myself to say this will be a continuous thing. For the first time in a long time, I’m truly proud of myself.

Penelope sits up, her white leggings and blush pink tank top super trendy. “Well, Presley … can we do it again tomorrow? I feel so relaxed! Who knew a mom of three could be this de-stressed?”

When she mentions the word mom, I startle a little. This woman looks younger than me, and the six-pack you can practically see through her shirt certainly did not hold children.

Most of the women nod in unison with her, and Lily stands up. “I just want to thank Presley for hosting our first yoga class, can we give her a round of applause?”

I’m showered with almost twenty-five women clapping for my success. I honestly have to choke back tears, and it’s not the first time in the last hour that I’ve almost cried out of joy.

“You can sign up for her next class using the form on the library website, and since this was a pilot class, it was free. But from now on, each session will be five dollars, with two of those going to the library and three going to our wonderful teacher.”

Speechless. I’m fucking speechless at what Lily just announced.

So Lily speaks for me as everyone rolls up their mats and hang around to chat or head to their cars. “Thank you, ladies! See you next week!”

After the last of the women clear out, I walk to Lily with the half-empty water cooler in my arms.

“I don’t even know what to say. You didn’t have to announce the price increase … from zero dollars.” I laugh. “I didn’t need any money for this, I’m happy to do it for free. Honestly, I love yoga and this was really fun.”

“But you should get paid for it, and don’t let those women fool you. They can afford it. You should turn this into something, Presley. You’re a very good teacher.”

“You’re kind of pushy, huh?”

She smiles sneakily. “But in a friendly way, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, I’ll give you that.” I chuckle as we turn to walk to our cars.

“Which is why you’re going to join me for a celebratory cup of coffee at Fawn Hill Java.”

“That’s not a request, is it?”

“Just a friendly little demand.” She smirks.

“All right, I’ll follow you there.”

13

Keaton

“Did you catch the game last night?”

I ask Bowen this as if he’s actually going to elaborate on this conversation in more than a few words.

“Yeah. Shit pitching.”