Page 44 of Merry Little Hate Notes

Carmen erupted into a roaring laugh. “We’ll see.”

How hard could yoga be?I thought. I’d run a couple of marathons and could bench 220.

“You deserve some torture after messing with my best friend,” Carmen added with an impish grin.

I swallowed hard, waiting for Carmen to bring up the kiss. It surprised me Holly hadn’t brought up our first and only kiss yet and how I’d made her believe it was only a dare. Not that I wasn’t grateful for that. I hoped it would buy me some time until I could tell her the truth. Honestly, what surprised me more was that she hadn’t sought her revenge. Maybe that’s what tonight was about, given the evil glint in Carmen’s eyes. Had Holly lured me here to get even?

“You’re right,” I agreed with Carmen.

“Huh?” My comment took Carmen aback.

“We should probably head to the yoga studio,” Holly chirped nervously.

Carmen quickly forgot about me and squealed, “I can’t wait for you to meet Marco.” She grabbed Holly’s hand and pulled her through the gym.

I followed after them while Holly snuck glances at me, questions running rampant in her eyes. I hoped she would give me the chance to offer her answers, even if they were uncomfortable and painted me in a bad light.

Carmen halted us all in front of the glass studio wall. “There he is.” She gazed in awe.

I peeked into the semi-dark studio lit by dim red lights to see a lone shirtless, tatted, ripped-to-the-core man doing what looked like tai chi. The dude had some skills.

“Oh. My. Gosh. He’s beautiful.” Carmen fanned herself. “Don’t you think?” she asked Holly.

“Um ... yeah.” Holly didn’t sound all that enthusiastic in her agreement. “Your parents will definitely hate him.”

“I know.” Carmen dreamily sighed. “All I have to do is get him to ask me out. Let’s get in there so I can get up close and personal with him. Brandon, don’t come near me. I don’t want to give Marco the wrong impression.”

“No problem.” I would happily stay glued to Holly, who was now shedding her coat and revealing her lithe body in yoga pants and a sports bra. I had to do my best not to ogle her. But dang, did she look good. Now I knew why they called it hot yoga. “Here, let me take your coat for you.” I tried to be a gentleman while staving off the ungentlemanly thoughts buzzing through my mind.

Holly cautiously handed me her coat, still unsure about me.

Carmen left us in the dust and ran into the small room with lockers that gave access to the studio.

“She’s a little excited.” Holly laughed.

“Apparently.” I opened the door for Holly.

We walked in to find that Carmen had jetted into the studio, but she had some competition. Two other women were speaking abouthow they wanted Marco to make all their Christmas dreams a reality. Both rushed to grab yoga mats off the wall.

“Things are about to get interesting,” Holly whispered.

I couldn’t care less about Carmen’s love-life dilemma. I had my own to worry about.

We watched as the two women hurried into the studio while several others filed in, all early for class.

I had a feeling most of the women weren’t coming just to work out.

Holly and I crammed our things into a locker before each grabbing a large black yoga mat. When we entered the studio warmed by several heating panels, it smelled of burned incense, and the sound of relaxing ocean waves filled the space. I had a feeling I was in for an experience unlike any other I’d had at the gym.

“Let’s get spots in the back.” Holly tiptoed across the wood floor in her bare feet.

While my focus was on the woman I loved, it was hard not to notice the large group of women swelling at the front of the studio, surrounding the raised platform Marco was on. He’d dispensed with his tai chi and was now talking to his admirers in what sounded to me like a fake European accent while casually stroking his long dreadlocks as if he’d practiced it. I couldn’t believe Carmen, or any woman, would fall for his act.

At least Holly appeared to be sane and rolled her eyes at the scene. “He might take the top spot as her parents’ worst nightmare.”

I chuckled, feeling bad for the Garcias. Although, Mr. Garcia had stopped me a couple of days ago when I was pulling out of my parents’ driveway and asked if I was still single, and if I’d be interested in Carmen. The answer was a resounding no.

“The light and love in me sees the light and love within you,” Marco said in an otherworldly voice, making all the women swoon.

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