Page 74 of The Love Position

He nodded. ‘We all do. It’s our calling. Our karma yoga.’

‘Wow.’

‘Long-term staff don’t pay to stay at the ashram and they get their food and a tent space for free. If they’ve been part of the organisation for a few years, their flights are also covered from their home countries.’

‘Gosh.’

Isaac squeezed her hand. ‘So, when the menu comes, knock yourself out.’

‘What about you?’

‘I’ll grab something in town later. Don’t worry about me, just focus on you.’

Sophia’s eyes welled up again. ‘Thank you so much, Isaac. And thank you for pretending to be my…’

‘Anytime.’

In the pause that followed his words, her pale cheeks flushed red and his heart thumped louder in his chest.

There was a knock at the door and Doreen re-entered. ‘I’ve got the menu, sweetie.’

Isaac stood, his hand still holding Sophia’s. ‘Are you okay if I go into town now?’ he asked her.

She nodded, her cheeks still coloured. ‘Yes, thank you. I’ll see you later.’

He hesitated, not wanting to break the connection between them.

Then, before he could talk himself out of it, he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

Heat flushing through his face, he stepped back, gave Doreen a quick nod, and left the room.

13

Sophia’s eyes blinked open at the knock on the door.

Have I been asleep?

‘Come in,’ she called out, then glanced at her watch.

Isaac entered, carrying bags. ‘How are you feeling?’

‘A little more human. I had a sandwich, then nodded off. How are you doing?’

‘All good, although I received a few odd looks in town.’

She gazed at his blood-spattered clothes. ‘You didn’t get yourself some new ones?’

‘I did. I just thought I might clean myself up first here.’

‘The en suite has a shower and Doreen left me a pile of towels, so knock yourself out.’

‘Has the doctor been back yet?’

‘Yes. Luckily the knee is just a sprain, no torn or broken bits, so I’ve been given crutches and painkillers and just need to rest and elevate it as much as possible. She’s given me a sheet of information to refer to, and I’ve got an appointment in a week to have the staples removed. Apparently, the room is mine all day and we can leave when we want. You just need to fill out a few more bits of paperwork.’

‘I can do that now.’

‘Why don’t you wash and change first?’

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