Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
KAIA
“Why did I let you talk me into this?” Daisy hadn’t stopped yawning since we got to the yoga studio. We were setting up our mats, and I was doing some light stretching.
I shook my head. “Don’t blame me. You’re the one who invited yourself.”
She pouted. “Next time, tell me no! It’s way too early to function! And you do this before work?! I should’ve done a background check before inviting you to live with me. I fear for my life now.”
Tell her no? Tell Daisy Fletcher no? Was she new here? At this point, she could spit on my ass and I’d probably thank her. “You’ll enjoy it, like you said you would last night. What did you mean by that, by the way?”
She blushed a little, but before she could say anything, the instructor came in.
“Good morning. Welcome to Yoga 101. I’m your instructor, Fran, and I hope you’re all ready for an amazing class.” She walked to the front and got set up, and I relayed what she said to Daisy.
“I’m ready for an amazing nap, but I’m here,” Daisy said with a yawn. I smiled and shook my head. It wasn’t even that early. The sun was out… almost.
“You’re strong. You’ll power through. I believe in you,” I replied teasingly but also encouragingly.
The instructor started the class, and we began with light stretching and basic poses.
I loved to torture myself, I really did.
Daisy was right; next time, I would tell her hell no!
It was the most difficult class I’d had since I started a few years ago.
I had a few new favorite and least favorite positions: downward facing dog, cat pose, and the lotus flower.
That last one I imagined my legs wrapped around her.
At least she wore leggings and not shorts, but it didn’t really help. They were the ribbed kind, and the shape of her ass was perfect in them. Drea was right, too; yoga could be an extremely erotic class.
I think I stared at her ass for half the class.
I tried to focus on my own poses, but eventually I kept thinking about her behind me or on top of me, and I’d have to look up at her.
Sometimes, she’d be doing her poses, and I’d bite my lip.
And sometimes she’d be looking at me. She’d blush after I caught her and quickly go back to whatever position we were supposed to be doing.
She was getting into it and actually doing really well. And apparently I wasn’t the only one who thought so. The instructor spent so much time around us it was ridiculous.
“You have really great form. Have you done yoga before?”
I rolled my eyes. Classic pickup line. Don’t you have a class to teach, lady?! Daisy blushed and I wanted to gag. She wasn’t even that pretty.
She wore an inappropriate white sports bra that showed her nipples. Her boobs were actually kind of big. She had curly blonde hair in a tight ponytail and a piercing in the center of her lower lip. Okay, so she was actually superhot. Whatever. I didn’t even care.
She kept flirting with her, telling her how impressed she was that this was her first time.
“You’re really getting it, but do you mind if I help you adjust?
Your downward dog is just a little off, and I’d hate for you to get an injury,” she signed.
How did she even know Daisy was deaf? Had she watched us sign earlier? Creeper.
Daisy smiled and nodded, and the instructor took position behind Daisy. To anyone else, it looked like an innocent readjustment, but to me, it looked anything but innocent.
She placed her hands on Daisy’s hips, Daisy’s back suspiciously close to the instructor’s front.
There was no reason for any part of her to touch Daisy like that.
Her downward was fine, she didn’t need help, and if anyone was going to be positioned behind Daisy like that, it should be me… as her best friend.
“Oh my God,” I whispered to myself. I took a drink of my water, and “accidentally” rolled it over toward Daisy and her “helper.”
The yoga instructor flinched and looked down towards the bottle, removing herself from Daisy’s backside to pick it up.
“I’m so sorry. It slipped out of my hands. I smiled sheepishly. She gave me a doubtful look but handed it to me without a word. She went to the front and continued the class without bothering us again.
That wasn’t my proudest moment, but I couldn’t watch her take advantage of Daisy like that. She had to be over ten years older than us.
“You did great today. If you ever want a one-on-one class, I’d be happy to offer my services.
I’ve found them to be very… beneficial.” The instructor winked, and it was all I could do not to growl like a predatory animal.
What was wrong with me? There was no way Daisy was falling for that line, right?
“I hate to interrupt, but we’re running late for work.” I took Daisy’s hand and dragged her out of the yoga studio. It was highly unprofessional to flirt with a student.
Daisy stopped me halfway down the sidewalk. I still hadn’t let go of her hand, and I was almost sprinting like we were actually late. I hadn’t realized it until she stopped me. She looked at me and frowned. “What happened? Why did you throw your water bottle at her? And why are we running?”
I shrugged. “Cardio is healthy.” I didn’t know what else to say to her. “And I didn’t throw it at her. My hands were sweaty, and the water bottle slipped. I’m sorry for interrupting your time with her.” If I were speaking, it would’ve come off very sarcastic and not at all sorry.
“Oh, well, it’s okay. It happens. Was it just me or was she a little too close to my ass? It felt like if she had something attached to her, I would’ve been very indecent in that class.”
I laughed and nodded. “Oh definitely. You could always go back in there and get her number. I’m sure she could teach you a thing or two.”
“How do you know I wouldn’t be the teacher in that scenario?” She winked, and I couldn’t hide my blush. I’d sign up for that class. “But no. I told you I’m not dating for a while. And besides, she was a little too old for me. But she was hot as hell, right?”
I bit my tongue and nodded. I was relieved she was passing on the instructor, and I hoped she wouldn’t come to any more classes.
If she wanted to, I’d have to find another one.
“Yeah. She was hot. Let’s go get cleaned up before work.
” I would have used any excuse to get out of there before the instructor came out and tried to hit on her again.
Daisy decided to stay home and work after our yoga class. She made the excuse that she just wanted some alone time, and as much as I wanted to see her all day, I respected her decision.
I’d had days like that too. I’d come home from work and she’d be excited to see me, ready to spend the evening together, and I’d apologize and say I needed quiet time alone.
She never once got angry about it or questioned me.
She simply gave me a hug and sent me on my way. It was only fair that I did the same.
The bookstore was busy all morning, and I was looking forward to going on break. I had to train Alexis and Farrah on the new system, in between taking customers and dealing with issues.
Alexis was younger than me by a few years and had curly brown hair and green eyes.
Farrah was around the same age and had dark skin and wavy brown hair with brown eyes.
They were both excellent assets to the bookstore, despite their young age.
Not that I had any right to criticize. I got lucky to get a job here with zero experience.
I walked into the bookstore after it opened and mentioned the hiring sign in the window.
Drea asked me a few questions and hired me on the spot.
She said she liked my vibe and saw something in me.
What that vibe was, or what that something was, I still had no clue, but it had paid off.
The fact that she had just opened and wanted to hire someone probably was the “vibe” I gave off.
I had the availability and eagerness vibe going for me.
The bookstore was my first job after high school.
I loved it so much I never gave any thought to college or wanting to do anything else.
After I quit, that was the first time I truly thought about what else I would want to do with my future.
I looked into marine biology, nursing, all kinds of things.
I had no clue where life would take me. but with Daisy’s constant encouragement and confidence in me, I was excited to find out.
But then I came in for my last check, and plans changed.
I loved the bookstore just as much as Drea did, and I was forever grateful for the opportunities she’d given me. I wasn’t sure what the future held, but I was in love with the present.
The bell above the door jerked me out of thoughts of the past.
“Who is that? She’s freaking gorgeous,” Alexis whispered conspiratorially.
I looked up to see who she was talking about and smiled. “That’s Drea’s best friend Fallon.”
Farrah sighed dreamily, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. “I know, but I’m sorry, ladies, she’s married and disgustingly happy.”
They both pouted, and I rolled my eyes, walking over to Fallon. “Fallon? What are you doing here?”
She frowned at me and gave me a hug, anyway. “Wow. What a warm welcome. How do you get customers?”
I rolled my eyes. “You know I’m always happy to see you. Sorry, I’ve been dealing with a lot, and I wasn’t expecting to see you today.”
Her expression softened. “I know. I’m sorry, Kai. Drea asked me to decorate the front window for Christmas. She knows how much I love setting up the displays.”
It was true. Fallon was always in charge of the front window. Christmas? Fallon. Sales? Fallon. Book signings? Fallon. She always did them, and she always nailed the designs.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here. Where’s Kenz?”