Page 39 of The Hookup Situation
Research.
Asher
Sure. How’s the girlfriend?
Nick
Fake girlfriend.
Asher
The fact that you felt the need to correct me says everything.
I don’t respond because he’s not wrong. Nothing about yesterday felt fake.
I put on some athletic wear, grab my keys, and head into town. The streets are empty, except for a few early morning runners. The sun hasn’t risen yet, but the sky is starting to lighten at the edges, painting the mountains in shades of purple and pink.
The town square is already set up with yoga mats in neat rows. A woman with long gray hair in elaborate braids is arranging blocks and straps at each station. This must be the instructor, Jessie.
“Good morning, Nick,” she says without looking up.
“How’d you know?”
“Never seen you here before. Think you can handle it?” Jessie looks up, studying me with kind eyes.
“I hope,” I say with a laugh.
“You look like you can,” she says.
“I played professional hockey. I think I can manage some stretching.”
Jessie’s laugh is knowing. “Oh, sweetie. This isn’tstretching. It’s a spiritual journey through physical torment. But don’t worry; I have a one hundred percent survival rate. Tomorrow might suck.”
Before I can respond, I spot Julie walking across the square. She’s wearing purple leggings with strategic cutouts that make her legs look impossibly long and a sports bra that leaves very little to the imagination. Her red hair is pulled up in a messy bun, and she’s carrying two coffee cups.
“Close your mouth, dear,” Jessie says. “You’ll catch flies.”
Julie hands me one of the cups. “Figured you’d need a little pre-workout caffeine.”
“You’re a lifesaver.” I take a sip, and she made it exactly how I like it—strong. “Ready to do this?”
“Oh, I’m ready to do a lot of things.”
The way she says it, with that little smirk, makes me lose my train of thought.
Other couples start arriving; most are in their thirties and forties.
“Nicolas Banks!” Mrs. Henderson calls out. “Didn’t expect to see you two here.”
“Didn’t expect to see you.” Julie narrows her eyes. “You realize this is partner yoga?”
“Well, that’s why I asked Mrs. P to join me,” she says.
They’re both too cheery—and only here to do recon.
Julie chuckles. “Hope you two have fun.”
Jessie claps her hands. “All right, everyone! Let’s begin with partner poses.”
