Page 56 of The Glass Dolphin

She put enough space between them to get a good look at him, his normally vibrant blue eyes like deep, dark pools she wanted to dive into. “Areyousure?”

“I’ve never wanted to get married all that much,” he said. “Until I met you. Now, I swear, it’s all I think about.” He smiled at her, a soft, slow, sensual smile that made Maddy’s bones melt. “I worry I won’t make you happy.”

“You can’t make another person happy,” she said, gently pressing her lips to his. She didn’t let him take control and kiss her breathless the way she had in the past. “I’m happy by myself, but I’m happier with you. I’m happier when I get to talk to you, when I get to hold you, when you whisper how much you love me, and when you do little things that tell me you’ve been thinking of me.”

“Yeah? What do I do?” he asked.

“You pack your boat full of warm, fuzzy blankets, take me to dinner at the nicest restaurant in town, and plan a stargazing night with me,” she whispered.

“We really can stargaze,” he murmured, his lips already seeking the soft skin along her neck. “After, okay?”

“Mm, okay,” she said, enjoying the heat the two of them put off into the night, and the way he absolutely took her current happiness and multiplied it.

ChapterTwenty

Kelli walked through the silent yoga studio she owned, so much peace and contentment filling her. She’d grown up in this house, and it had often been a place of contention. Of bad memories. She’d wanted to escape it more often than not, but now?

Now, she loved this house with the stained glass windows and the creaky hardwood floors. Dozens of women came here every day to find their purpose, a good workout, a friend, and their health.

She’d played a huge part in their lives, and she could feel their life energy in the very walls around her.

Kelli had stopped teaching yoga five or six weeks ago. She attended classes every day, but she couldn’t always do the routines that had become so second-nature for her. She didn’t mind so much, because any sacrifice was worth it for her baby girl.

With the clipboard resting on her very pregnant belly, she finished up the inventory in her yoga studio, Whole Soul, and retreated to her office to put in the order for the next month. Her baby was due in three days, and Kelli wouldn’t be back to the house until another order needed to be placed. At least not to work.

Her teachers and the woman she’d hired to run Whole Soul while she was out on maternity leave had thrown her a baby shower, and they’d made her promise to bring in the little girl as soon as they could both make it. Kelli had promised, and she always kept her promises.

Somewhere in the house, a door opened, but Kelli wasn’t alarmed. She offered two evening classes, one in each of the big spaces out front, and they’d be starting in about a half-hour. Shad had been dropping by every evening on his way back from Diamond Island too, as he didn’t want Kelli on a ferry by herself at this stage of her pregnancy.

“Just me,” Robby said as he poked his head into her office. “I saw the new steps. Thanks, Kelli.” He grinned at her, and she smiled back.

“Oh,” she said as he started to turn to go get his room ready. He taught aerobics and tension strength training twice a week, and she’d been lucky to get him. “Another review for your class came in.” She moved around the mess of papers on her desk. “I had it here…” She found the blue paper and struggled to get to her feet. “Here you go.”

He simply pinched the paper between his thumb and fingers. “Do I want to read this?”

“It’s a good one,” Kelli assured him.

Robby swallowed and looked at the paper. “From the moment I walked into the pulsing energy of this step aerobics class, I knew I had stumbled upon something special.” He looked at her, his green eyes dancing. “The choreography is a vibrant blend of cardio and rhythm that never fails to get my blood pumping. The sequences are challenging yet accessible, accommodating both beginners and fitness enthusiasts with a fiery workout that leaves you both drenched and craving for more.

“But the real heartbeat of the class is our instructor, Robby. His charisma and enthusiasm reverberate throughout the room, infecting us all with a contagion of positivity that makes every session feel like a party. His warm, encouraging smile sets the tone for each class, and his clear, concise instructions ensure no one gets lost in the rhythm.

“More than his fitness expertise, what sets Robby apart is his genuine care for each of his students. He fosters an environment of camaraderie and inclusivity where everyone feels seen and supported. Whether you're mastering a complex sequence or catching your breath, Robby is right there, cheering you on.

“And, let's be honest ladies, the sight of Robby, all energetic strides and sculpted muscles, definitely doesn't hurt. His passion for fitness is reflected in his well-toned physique, a sight that often serves as motivation on those challenging days.”

He finished and looked up. “Let’s be honest, ladies?”

Kelli laughed, because she’d take reviews any way she could get them, and if “TinaF” wanted to say how sculpted Robby’s muscles were, she wasn’t going to say no. “Hey, you’re motivational,” she said.

He looked down at himself. “I feel like maybe I should wear more clothes to the class.” He wore a pair of sweats and a tank top right now, and Kelli had seen him teach in gym shorts and bicycle shorts too. Those might be a little tight, but he wasworking out. What was he supposed to wear? Jeans?

She shook her head. “You’re fine. It’s a good review.” She sat back down, her feet aching as she’d definitely neared the end of her day. “Tammy should like it.” She grinned at Robby, who folded up the blue paper and stuck it in his pocket.

“Maybe I can get her to go out with me again because of it.”

“She won’t go out with you? Why not?”

Robby’s jaw jumped. “It’s just a thing. I’ll figure it out.” He turned to leave as he said, “Thanks for showing me this.” He left, and Kelli looked at her desk. She really should clean it off before she left. She couldn’t just leave a jumble of papers for Selma to deal with.

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