“This is only my forth class,” Mia replies. “And up until last week, I thought he was gay. I mean, what guy teaches yoga?”

“So he’s straight?” I ask, standing on my toes to see above the Barbie in front of me.

“Ex-girlfriend straight.”

I turn to her with my mischievous grin, leaning closer as the noise level in the room dies down. “Well in that case, I’d love to show him my Down Under.”

She throws her head back and we both crack up, gaining the attention of practically everyone in the room.

Mason steps to the center, smirking at the two of us. “Ladies, are we ready?”

“Oh, yeah,” I reply, as Mia struggles to control her hysterics. “I’m so ready.”

I watch as his smile twists into a full-blown grin. “Excellent. Let’s get started.”

***

“Well, it’s official,” I say, before taking a swig of Mia’s water bottle. I wipe my mouth with the back of my wrist as she studies me, holding her hands out and motioning for me to finish. “I’m a major fan of yoga.”

She grabs her bottle out of my hands. “Told you you’d be thanking me for the invite.”

I look up to the front of the class where a group of women have surrounded Mason. He lifts his head to me, smiles, and says something to the group before breaking away from them.

“He’s coming over here,” Mia says, nudging me in my side. “Are you going to give him your number?”

My thoughts immediately go to Luke, and I’m suddenly flooded with uncertainty. Why? This is exactly what I need. I’ve spent the past hour eye-fucking Mason across the room, letting him help me into positions I didn’t really need help getting into, and not once did I feel guilty about what I was doing. But now?

I don’t have time to clear my head, or wipe the sweat off myself before he reaches us with his quick strides.

“Did you ladies enjoy the class?” he asks, looking between the two of us but letting his gaze linger on me. He’s still shirtless, his muscles now gleaming with a fine sheen of sweat. An hour ago, this would’ve done something for me. I would’ve come up with at least ten different scenarios involving me, him, and a yoga mat. But now, I’m finding myself wondering why his skin isn’t covered in tattoos.

“It was great, right, Tessa?” Mia looks over at me, tapping her finger on the arm crossed over her chest as she waits expectantly for my agreement.

I nod, letting a ghost of a smile touch my lips. “It was.”

He steps closer to me. “Good. I’m glad to hear that. Does that mean you’ll be coming back?”

I swallow, looking over at Mia who’s nodding at me like a lunatic. “Umm, I don’t…

“‘Cause if not, I’d really like to get your number,” he interrupts, pulling his phone out of his shorts. “You aren’t seeing anybody right now, are you?”

“Nope,” Mia answers, smiling at the two of us. “She’s very single.”

Mason looks from her to me. “Yeah?”

Come on, Tessa. You need to let go of Luke.

I nod quicker than I intend, maybe to help convince myself that this is the best move for me, and it does ease some of my doubt. When I get my damn head under control, I hold my hand out, accepting his phone. “Yup. Very single.” I program my number in and quickly give it back, nearly throwing it at him to keep myself from erasing my information.

He smiles. “Great. I’ll call you.”

“Okay.”

He walks back up to the front of the room where a line seems to be forming for him.

“What happened? You froze up.”

I grab Mia’s towel off the bench, handing it to her as we file out through the door. “I don’t know,” I finally respond just as we step out into the parking lot.

“He’s really nice, and I think he’d be good for you. You can’t keep waiting around for Luke to give you more.”

“I know.”

“Because you might be waiting forever for that.”

“I know,” I repeat with emphasis, stopping in front of my car. I watch as she walks around to the passenger side. “I was fine. You saw me. My flirt game was on point, and then I just…” I pinch my eyes shut, gathering my thoughts before looking over at her. “I think about him, and it fucks with my head. It always does.”

She tugs the elastic band out of her hair. “I think it fucks with your heart more, ’cause you love him.”

I roll my eyes, but the words “No I don’t” can’t seem to find their way out of my mouth. Maybe it’s because I’ve just had a weekend with Luke, where I let myself feel things I’ve tried to forget. Or maybe it’s because I’ll never be able to dispute it. I sure as hell haven’t been able to for the past year.

I know I love him. I feel it every day, even when I don’t want to. Even when he keeps me out. Even when he breaks my heart, it’s there, and it scares me.

Because when you fall in love with someone exactly the way they are, how do you convince yourself they aren’t enough for you?

***

I busy myself with work when I get home, knocking out twenty-seven transcriptions after my shower. I know exactly where my idle mind likes to wander off to, so I don’t give it the chance. After devouring my grilled cheese sandwich, and washing up the few dishes I dirtied, I pack up my files and head to the hospital to drop off my work.