Chapter Nineteen
R ight after work, Brooke met Amy at yoga. She’d reached the Savasana portion, and she lay on her back, drawing in a deep breath. Beside her, Amy closed her eyes, and they both inhaled and exhaled slowly. Brooke tried to concentrate on the end of class, but she couldn’t help obsessing over Aiden.
Ever since agreeing to date him, she and Aiden had gotten along well.
He brought coffee to her at the office, smiling as he handed her the cup.
During dinner at the house, he played footsies with her, their parents none the wiser.
They’d had a quiet sort of fun during the work week, and she felt a smile curl her lips, then mentally gave herself a reprimand.
Concentrating during this part of class was important.
She focused on being mindful and in the moment. She kept her breathing deep and even, her attention anchored on the sensation of taking in each cleansing breath and exhaling long and slow. When class ended, they rolled up their yoga mats and cleaned up their spaces.
Once they had their cold drinks in hand, they headed to the seating area. They paused by two women who were cleaning up and leaving their table and claimed the now empty seats.
“I saw you grinning during Savasana,” Amy said, nudging Brooke’s foot. “Does that mean you’ve slept with your boss?” she asked with a smirk only a girlfriend could manage.
Brooke had just taken a sip of her shake and nearly choked on the liquid. Hand on her chest, she swallowed and looked around.
No one was nearby, so she didn’t think anyone overheard Amy, but she narrowed her eyes at her friend. “Could you be a little more discreet?”
“Sorry, but I had to ask.” Amy fluttered her eyelashes, all innocent looking.
Brooke rolled her eyes at her friend. She and Amy texted a couple of times a week, so the other woman was well-versed in what was going on between Brooke and Aiden. Amy also knew, despite the date with Mark, Brooke had been weakening toward him.
“Can we say yes, I did, and leave it at that?” Brooked asked.
Amy pursed her lips and shook her head. “As if I’d settle for that after all these years. So how are things between you two now?”
“We… agreed to try dating.”
Amy’s eyebrows rose high. “Well, that’s progress.” She took a sip of her shake and met Brooke’s gaze. “I’m really proud of you. I know it can’t be easy to let him in again, but you’ve loved him forever. I’m so glad you aren’t slamming that door shut tight.”
Brooke was glad too. She didn’t know what the future held, but at least now she could admit that maybe there was one.
They sipped their drinks in silence, Brooke’s thoughts going to her night with Aiden. It had been everything she’d hoped for and yet she couldn’t deny the anxiety still plaguing her.
“What’s wrong?” Amy asked.
Brooked wrapped one hand around the shake and immediately released her fingers. Too cold to use as a prop for her nerves. She met her friend’s steady gaze. “I just don’t want to be heartbroken again,” she admitted, her voice a whisper.
Amy nodded in understanding. “Of course you don’t. But what if that doesn’t happen? What if you give Aiden another chance and you wind up getting everything you ever wanted?”
That was the real question, wasn’t it?