Page 32 of Ride the Wave

His jaw clenches. But he gets the hint and turns away to look up at the ceiling. I do the same, fighting the urge to smile triumphantly and instead listening to the soothing tones of the instructor as she guides us through the class.

With my recent work load, it’s actually been a while since I did any yoga and, although admittedly, I purely came to seek out Leo, now that I’m here, I’m invested. Throughout the class, I focus on tapping into ‘the power of self-love’ as the instructor tells me to, and the fact that I can’t help but notice Leo glancing over at me suspiciously every now and then is an added bonus. There’s no chance that he’s leaving here without talking to me, even if it’s to tell me off some more. At least we’ll be communicating.

Another bonus is that I get the chance to steal glances athimduring the class too.

I never realised how sexy it is for a man to do yoga, but fuck me, the way his muscles flex and move as he changes positions, watching the curve of his upper arms bulge as they take his weight when he balances, so powerful and strong.

It’s a shame he’s such a pain in the arse, because he really is pretty to look at.

When the class finishes, I make a point of going up to the instructor to tell her how much I enjoyed it and she encourages me to come back during my stay. Our conversation means that I’m the last student to leave. Grabbing my bag that I left at the side of the studio, I thank her again and push through the doors.

Guess who’s waiting for me on the other side?

‘Iris,’ Leo calls out, as I pass him on my way out without stopping. ‘Iris!’

I pretend to not hear him, marching onwards.

‘Hey! Hey,London!’

I stop in my tracks, turning to give him a strange look as he catches up.

‘Did you just call me “London”?’

‘I need to talk to you.’

‘Okay,’ I say, continuing my walk home, ‘what’s up?’

‘What’s up?’ He looks baffled as he falls into step with me. ‘You showed up at my yoga class, unannounced.’

I shoot him a strange look. ‘Do I have to tell you what I’m doing in advance?’

‘You know that’s not what I’m saying.’

‘Good, because that would be creepy.’

‘There are other yoga classes you can take,’ he mumbles.

‘I like this one. I plan on signing up to lots more during my stay.’

‘Those classes are really important to me. I don’t want any disturbances.’

‘As I recall it, the only disturbances in that class came from you.’

‘Hold on.’ He hurries ahead so that he can round back and face me, stopping me in my tracks. ‘I mean it. Those classes,’ he gestures at the studio behind me, ‘they help me to get out of my own head. That’s something I really need to do the next few weeks.’

‘You could always do another yoga class. Or take private ones.’

He shakes his head. ‘I can’t.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because… I feel safe in that class. I know the instructor and the other students, and I… trust them. I like to do yoga with other people in the room; it’s like you’re part of something. A community or whatever. I began yoga in that class with that instructor, and I want to continue under her guidance.’ He sighs, putting his hands on his hips. ‘I like the routine of it. Without the calm and focus of that class, my head goes… wobbly.’

I break into a warm smile. ‘Okay, Leo. I won’t come to that class again. You don’t need to worry. I’ll find another one.’

His eyebrows shoot up in surprise. ‘Really?’

‘Yeah. Sorry if I made your head go… wobbly.’

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