Page 79 of Love so Hot

I try to mimic her stance, feeling ridiculous. "Like this?" I ask, puffing out my chest.

"Not quite," Willow chuckles. "Relax your shoulders. Good. Now, we'll move into Uttanasana, or Standing Forward Bend."

As she demonstrates, bending gracefully at the waist, I can't help but admire her flexibility. When it's my turn, I nearly topple over.

"Christ," I mutter, my hamstrings screaming in protest. "Is this supposed to feel like I'm being drawn and quartered?"

Willow's voice floats back to me, maddeningly serene. "Breathe through it. Next is Chaturanga Dandasana."

I watch in mild horror as she lowers herself into what looks like a hovering push-up. "You've got to be kidding me," I think, wondering if it's too late to back out of this torture session disguised as exercise.

I attempt to mimic her pose, my arms shaking like a newborn fawn's legs. "This is... not... as easy as it looks," I grunt, sweat already beading on my forehead.

Willow's melodious laugh fills the room. "You're doing great. Really!"

I shoot her a disbelieving glance, nearly face-planting in the process. "If by 'great' you mean 'resembling a drunken giraffe,' then sure."

She grins, transitioning smoothly into the next pose. "Now, Urdhva Mukha Svanasana - Upward-Facing Dog."

I struggle to follow, my back arching awkwardly. "I think my dog is facing downward, actually. Possibly sideways."

Willow giggles, her green hair falling over her face as she shakes her head. "Just keep breathing. You're doing better than you think."

As we move through the poses, I find myself laughing along with her, despite the unfamiliar strain in my muscles. There's something infectious about her encouragement, making me want to keep trying even when I feel ridiculous.

Finally, we return to Tadasana. I stand tall, surprised to find a sense of calm washing over me. My body feels looser, more alive somehow.

"Well," I admit, a little breathless, "that was... not terrible."

Willow beams at me, her green eyes sparkling. "See? Yoga's not just for hippies and health nuts."

I stretch, feeling unexpectedly relaxed. "Don't get any ideas. I'm not trading in my suits for hemp pants just yet."

But as we roll up the mats, I can't help but marvel at how different this all is from my usual morning routine of aggressive emails and cutthroat negotiations. Maybe there's something to this whole zen thing after all.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Lawrence

My phone buzzesin my pocket like an angry hornet. I fish it out, squinting at the screen:

Your delivery has been completed.

A grin spreads across my face. Perfect timing. Now, where's Willow?

I wander through the house, calling her name. My voice echoes off the walls. No sign of my free-spirited fake fiancée.

"Willow? You didn't disappear into the forest to commune with squirrels again, did you?"

Silence. Great.

I step onto the back porch, and there she is. Willow sits cross-legged on a woven mat, her green hair catching the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. Her eyes are closed, hands resting on her knees. She's so still I wonder if she's actually asleep.

Without opening her eyes, she speaks. "I know you're there."

I jump a little. How does she do that? It's like she has some kind of hippie superpowers.

"Good," I say, recovering quickly. "Because you should stop whatever earth-mother ritual you're doing and come with me. I've got something to show you."

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