Page 50 of Heartfelt Goals

“What’s that for?”

“Your hair.”

Kendall snickered – and took a seat. Laurel accepted the rubber band graciously and murmured her thanks before looking at her sister. “Do not leave here.”

“This is me – not leaving – unless I see an ambulance.”

“I appreciate the vote of confidence.”

“If you feel sick – lie down.”

“You’re not helping.”

“Go enjoy your hot yoga with your hot husband –your hot– notmy hot– I’m twelve, and he’s a dweeb with a big ol’ fat wallet,” Kendall said absently before stroking the ball of clay in front of her. “A dweeb who’s gonna be drinking from a clay potty in less than an hour.”

“It won’t be less than an hour.”

“You don’t know.”

“Actually I do.”

“Seriously?” Kendall said in disbelief. “You’re pulling my leg – aren’t you?”

Laurel rolled her eyes.

“See you soon.”

“Probably sooner,” Kendall chimed in before cackling happily. Laurel shook her head and left the studio, joining Dustin where he waited on the sidewalk after feeding the parking meter.

“Are you ready?”

“Maybe?”

“C’mon,” he chuckled, grasping her hand. “This is supposed to be really good to make you limber and help the joints. If it helps my hip loosen a bit more then I’m all for it.”

Nodding, she followed him up the stairway to the classroom above the pottery studio. As they walked in, there was a small fridge with bottled water for sale, a stack of towels available for everyone, a few yoga mats for sale, and other exercise outfits, shirts, and paraphernalia… including a few flower stickers promoting ‘Peace, Love, Yoga.’

Glancing at the other glass door warily, she saw it was a dim room with some sunlight streaming in the windows, and people were inside, chatting, taking their spots on the floor, and already starting to look… glossy.

“It’s hot in there, isn’t it?” Laurel asked another woman picking up a towel who looked at her in alarm. “Hot yoga is really hot – isn’t it?”

“It's 41 degrees.”

“Oh!” Laurel hesitated and then grinned. “Sweet! I’ve got this in the bag then…” and heard Dustin chuckle nearby as he picked up their towels and handed them to her.

“Turn around and give me the rubber band,” he ordered gently – and to her disbelief, he began braiding her hair. His fingers moved deftly, quickly tying the rubber band at the bottom before he kissed her shoulder. “It seems a shame to put it up, but I think you’ll need it.”

“I can handle temps in the forties.”

“Celsius.”

“Oh.”

“Let’s go,” he chuckled, and Laurel braced herself as a wall of dry heat slammed into her the moment he opened the glass door. She followed him to the back of the classroom and then hesitated as her glasses started to fog up – from her own body sweat.

She was already sweating.

Laying out her towel like Dustin, she took off her glasses and set them on the corner carefully. He gave her a curious glance before he sat down on the towel. She did the same and realized the floor was hot, too.Lovely, she thought silently,I’m going to char-broil my butt cheeks as I am turned into beef jerky.

---