Page 40 of No Such Thing as Serendipity
“Shouldn’t it be Raise Our Voices? I mean, that seems more powerful,” I said.
Robyn fixed me with her gaze, and her penetrating brown eyes bored into me. Her voice was low when she said, “Actually, I’ve found someone with real confidence doesn’t have to raise their voice.”
“Touché,” Dana said from across the table with a satisfied smirk.
I shrugged. “Might work in Wisconsin, but running in the big leagues, sometimes the only way to get their attention is to raise your voice.” I knew my tone was defensive, but I didn’t need Robyn embarrassing me in front of my new friends.
“I’m sorry that’s your experience,” Robyn responded, showing no sign of irritation.
Fuck that.“I’m not sorry! I enjoy busting their balls. It shows them that women are just as strong as men. Stronger.”
Robyn smirked. “I suppose if you have something to prove to them. I, on the other hand, would rather focus on lifting my sisters’ voices than busting the male genitalia.”
The table erupted in laughter as my face heated. Before I could conjure a snappy comeback, Robyn bid us good night and moved on to the next table.
CHAPTER 13
With a sigh, Ipulled on my yoga pants. Was I really doing this? How had Emma convinced me this was a good idea? Would four weeks in the middle of nowhere change my life? Emma’s voice rattled in my head. She’d assert the two weeks of intensive programs would be the game changer. Sure because yoga was an innovation nobody in New York City thought of before.
I slipped my T-shirt over my head and let it fall over my flat stomach. I’d been doing yoga for years, when I had the time, and I’d had no revolutionary epiphanies while doing it. A sharp rap on my door pulled me out of my thoughts.
“Hey, are you about ready?” Emma called.
“Yeah, just finishing up.” One last time, I glanced at myself in the mirror. It was one of the few times I wished I had longer hair, so I could just tie it back and be done. Instead, I ran my fingers through it, giving it a carefree vibe. I chuckled to myself. Blake Saunders and carefree were rarely used in the same sentence.
When I emerged, Emma impatiently tapped her foot. “The others have already left.”
I glanced at the clock. “It’s ten till eight. Don’t we just have to step outside and we’re there?”
“Says the woman who always arrives twenty minutes early.”
“That’s business, not this.” I frowned.
“Maybe you could show some respect, instead of treating it as a joke. Or is it just an inconvenience?”
I stepped back, taking a fresh look at Emma. “What’s gotten into you this morning?”
Emma shook her head. “Nothing.”
“Come on, Em, spit it out.”
“It’s just... I invested considerable thought putting this together, and I know how you are.”
Her words stung. I knew exactly what she meant, but I wasn’t ready to admit it. “And how am I?” I didn’t hide my defensiveness.
Emma studied me for several beats before she shook her head. “Nope. I won’t engage in this argument. You’ve agreed to four weeks with me calling the shots. Four weeks where you let go. You can honor your promise or not, but I’m done begging you to try.”
I guiltily fidgeted with my thumb.Did she know?This morning, I’d taken a quick peek at my email, but I hadn’t responded to any of the over two dozen messages I’d received from what looked to be corporate headhunters. No, she didn’t know. I was just being paranoid.
I gave her a broad smile, hoping to erase the deep fissures in her forehead. “How long have you known me?” I changed my huge smile to an impish one.
“What does that have to do with anything?” The crease remained, but she also had a hint of amusement in her eyes.
“Do you really want me to be well behaved and complacent? Where’s the fun in that?”
She laughed. “You’re impossible.”
“Always have been.” Relief washed over me as the tension ratcheted back a notch. I held out my arm. “Are you ready to escort me to our class?” I smirked. “Do you think Wisconsin yoga is any different from New York yoga?”
