Sailing at Sunset - Cindi Madsen Page 0,51

dangle in front of his calves. “Let’s see how long she can walk on two legs,” he said, and Danae giggled.

As they transitioned to their next move, three alpacas traipsed over, joining their fuzzy buddies and blocking the view of the instructor. “I can’t see what we’re supposed to be doing,” Josh whispered. “Although I doubt I could do it anyway.”

Chewpacca, the tall female of the group with an out-of-control mane, sniffed his neck.

“And exhale,” Jill said, and warm, sickly-sweet breath that smelled vaguely like hay wafted over his cheek and nose.

Josh lifted his chin so he and Chewpacca were face to face. As he peered into her big, nearly black eyes, he swore she smiled, her two bottom teeth popping out.

“Fine. You’re kinda cute.”

Seemingly satisfied, the animal circled his mat and nibbled at the grain. Judging from the ripping noise, Chewpacca had moved onto nibbling grass, and she wouldn’t eat his yoga mat, would she?

“Since we can’t see Jill anymore,” Danae said, popping to her feet, as the fluffy white creature at her side mimicked her stance, “It’s freestyle time.” She placed one foot on the inside of her other thigh and brought her hands together as if offering a prayer. “Hey, I guessed right. They’re switching to tree pose.”

Josh wobbled as he attempted to do the move. What it had to do with a tree he had no idea. They should’ve called it clumsy flamingo. Finally, he managed to flatten his foot to his calf—the thigh so wasn’t happening. Okay, I can do this.

Carefully, he pressed his palms together, working to maintain his balance…

Right as an animal nose goosed him from behind.

He yelped.

Danae burst out laughing.

Her eyes widened as she lost her balance, tipping too far to the right. Josh dove to catch her, but thanks to his shaky stance and too-slow reaction time, they crashed in the middle.

Down they went in a heap of tangled limbs, and then they were both laughing, which summoned every alpaca in the area to come and gawk at them.

“Everything okay back there?” Jill asked, ducking her head to see underneath his and Danae’s furry, four-legged audience.

Danae slapped a hand over her mouth, attempting to silence the infectious laughter that rang in his ears and elevated his mood all the way up to the endlessly blue sky overhead.

Josh cleared his throat. “Yep. We’re nice and relaxed. Really feeling the nature setting.”

“Seriously. I think I ate some grass.” Danae blew her breath past her lips, more on the spitting than exhaling side. The baby alpaca who had become obsessed with her nudged her shoulder, and Danae patted its neck. “Don’t worry, Bitzy. I saved some for you.”

That had him laughing again, and soon everyone was craning their necks, trying to see what was so funny.

Danae leapt up, far more agile than he, and extended a hand to help him stand. Josh slapped his palm in hers, and once she had tugged him to his feet, he reluctantly let go.

He lowered his voice so no one else would overhear. “Hey, I’m sorry about yesterday. I was out of line.”

She cast her eyes downward, and the world paused, each second grinding against the next. Then her gaze latched on to his and his heart expanded, testing the bounds of his rib cage. “I appreciate you saying that. And I might’ve overreacted the tiniest bit.” She wrapped the end of her ponytail around her finger. “As you pointed out, I did say I was open to feedback.”

“I should’ve known better. After all, you’re the captain of your crew. I’d be upset if anyone told me how to run my ship.”

The smile he’d been missing all day spread across her face—even brighter than any of the smiles her ex had gotten this morning—and a knot he hadn’t even realized had formed in his chest loosened.

“Everyone ready for our cool down?” Jill asked.

Thanks to being back in friendly territory, Josh would have preferred to chat with Danae. Satisfaction zinged through his veins when she seemed as hesitant as he was to return to her mat.

As they completed their last few poses while inhaling and exhaling, Josh thought that he might just become a fan of yoga yet.

Danae sat in the sand, her fingers sinking into the softness and soaking up the leftover warmth from the sun. After ten miles on a bike, her muscles were pleasantly tired, and sitting in the sand felt like falling into bed after a long day.

The scent of smoke and sound of crackling