For the Win Read online

  I have a small studio space here where I do a couple other Saturday classes, and I also work at Prana in Venice a few times a week. I’m enjoying this new career as a yoga instructor. I’m not making a ton of money, but it’s a start, and my classes at Prana have become really popular.

  “Hey,” I greet Taj, who’s also preparing for a SUP lesson.

  He shakes back the long, dark hair falling over his face and gives me that sexy smile he’s known for. “Morning.”

  He’s so freakin’ gorgeous it’s hard to look away from him. He’d probably be modeling if he was taller than five foot nine. We’ve been friends since college. I had a big crush on him then, and I was pretty bummed when I discovered he had a boyfriend. I’ve gotten over it, though, and I’m so glad he’s my friend, because I’ve needed him—and any friends I can get—the last while.

  I go onto my laptop to check how many people have registered for this morning’s class. I use an app that makes it easy for people to register for blocks of classes or just drop-ins, and to pay online. I’ve learned a lot about running a business from working at Prana, and now having my own small place.

  I limit the class to twenty and it looks like we’re full up today. Yay.

  I love these classes on the water. There’s something extra calming and strengthening about being on the ocean, absorbing the boundless energy of the water and wind and sun.

  Standing behind the counter Taj and I share in the space, I lift my head when a male voice says, “Hi, Arya.”

  I see a familiar face. My pulse leaps in response. This guy came to one of my classes a few months ago. With Everly and Taylor, a couple of my regulars. I thought he was so cute and fun, and he was definitely flirting with me, making dumb jokes about yoga that had me laughing and nearly losing my focus. But then he turned the class into a gong show, knocking a friend of his—no wait, apparently that was his nephew—off his paddleboard into the water as class was finishing.

  He’s good-looking, but not in the stunning way Taj is. His chiseled jaw gives him an air of strength, his ocean blue eyes gleam with charm and humor, and his nose has a bump on it that suggests it’s been broken at least once. A scar bisects one eyebrow. His dark hair isn’t the near-black of Taj’s, more of a walnut brown, and it’s shorter. The curve of his mouth in a perpetual smile gives him a boyish, roguish look. And yes, he’s a big fat flirt.

  Wait, not fat. His body is amazing—lean and muscled, probably six foot two, with hard-packed abs and an ass that is truly biteable. I may not be into dating or relationships anymore, but I can appreciate a nice smile and a ripped body.

  “Hi.” I give him a polite smile so as not to reveal my heart is beating fast. “You’re back.”

  “Yeah. I really got a lot out of that class. I think it elevated my brain to a higher state.”

  Oh my God. I bite my lower lip on a smile. “Well, good.”

  “I’ve truly come to believe in a higher sense of self, a divine energy in the world.”

  “Trying a little too hard, dude,” I tell him, then turn away. “Okay, everyone,” I call. “Grab your board and let’s head out onto the water.”

  We all pick up boards and paddles and the anchors we use to keep us from floating out to sea, and head outside.

  “I’ve been practicing,” I hear him tell his friends behind me as we all enter the water.

  Once we’re all in position on our boards with our anchors dropped, I begin the class. “Let’s start with Mountain Pose, feet hip-width apart, your knees in a micro-bend.” I position myself to demonstrate, ignoring the fact that my flirty customer is right near me, his eyes focused on me. “Bring your palms in to your heart.” I press my hands together in front of my chest. “Inhale the arms up.” I lift my arms as I pull air into my lungs, all the way into my belly. “Inhale, reach the arms to the sky, lifting the heart.”

  “I love it when my heart lifts,” Flirty Dude says.

  Oh my God. I can’t stop the little snort that escapes me. “Exhale and fold forward…” I bend over.

  “Fold over and let your brains spill out of your head,” Flirty Dude says.

  With everyone bent over, one of his friends says, “Also known as ‘preparing your anus.’ ”

  My eyes pop open wide and I freeze. I nearly burst out laughing, which would be totally inappropriate. These guys are throwing me off my game! Again!

  Flirty Dude chokes and starts laughing. Next thing I know, there’s a huge splash as he tumbles into the water, splattering my feet and legs.

  Now everyone is distracted as he flails around, still chortling.

  Everly, who I know a little, yells at him. “Harrison! You’re embarrassing me!”

  Harrison. Okay, that’s his name. I’m about to tell him to get a grip and get back on his board, which he’s already trying to do, but as he attempts to climb on, he knocks his board into mine.

  My arms flap as I try to regain my balance—and I have excellent balance—but the water’s choppy from his thrashing around and there’s no way I can do it. I fly into the air and land in the water.

  I sink beneath the surface, cold water closing around me. I push up, spluttering and shaking water out of my eyes. I cannot believe this is happening!

  Chapter 3

  Arya

  “Oh my God!” Everly cries.

  I grab my board and rest my forearms on it, staring at Harrison. I’m befuddled. And cold.

  “Are you okay?” he asks. “I am so sorry.”

  The class is totally disrupted now. Everyone is murmuring and making shocked noises. I don’t even know what to say. This has never happened to me. “I’m fine,” I say through clenched teeth. “Wet, obviously.”

  “I’m really sorry,” he says again, and he does look contrite. “You can blame him.” He jerks his head at the guy who made the anal joke.

  That guy gives me a guilty grimace. “Sorry.”

  I blow out a breath and turn my glare back on Harrison. I’d like to tear a strip off him, but that’s not what yoga is supposed to be about. Peace. Oneness. Harmony. I am capable of anything. Also, he does look really sorry. I take another breath and relax my body, including my face. “Are you able to continue with the class?” I ask him.

  “Yeah, yeah,” he says quickly. “For sure. Uh, are you?”

  I roll onto my paddleboard and strip off the thin zip-front hoodie I’m wearing. I drop it to the board behind me. “Yes.” I find my center and stand, now in my wet sports bra and yoga shorts. My hair’s in a ponytail, which is good, although it’s dripping water down my back. Shivering, I gaze around at the group. “Sometimes you need yoga. Sometimes you need a beer.” I pause. “Sometimes you need both.”

  Laughter ripples through the morning air.

  “Let’s resume.” I keep my voice calm, a half-smile on my face. “One more time…exhale, fold forward…inhale, reach up.” I hold that pose for a few seconds. I am capable of anything. “Exhale, fold forward, and bring your hands to the board as we squat down and bring the right foot back.”

  This time there are no smart-ass comments from the peanut gallery. I survey the group to see how everyone’s doing, including Harrison. His face more serious, he seems focused on the pose.

  “You want two ninety-degree angles with your legs,” I continue, moving my knee and foot into the correct position and watching the others. “Good. Coming up into Half Warrior…” I lift my arms and stretch them out in front of me. “Shoulders back…inhale…and lift the arms up.”

  I sense Harrison’s gaze on me. Which is weird, because almost everyone in the class watches me to see how I do it, but I feel his eyes on me. I say the next words, just waiting for his reaction. “Lift your heart to the sun.”

  He stretches his arms up and lengthens his torso, not making any jokes. How about that.

  Sweet smiling Jesus, he has an amazi
ng body. Although a bit tight. If we were in the studio, I’d be setting a hand in the small of his back, making adjustments to his pose.

  We go through the rest of the class without incident. “Let’s finish up with a nice Child’s Pose.” I stretch my arms out in front of me on the board. “Let your body melt into the board.”

  I follow my own advice, shutting out the rest of the class, particularly that one guy with the naughty-boy smile and hot body, letting my muscles relax and tension seep out of me. I focus on the gentle movement of the water beneath me, my breathing, the warmth of the sun on my back.

  Class is over and we all paddle back to shore. This basin is quiet and calm, perfect for my classes. I’m so lucky that Taj has his paddleboard business here and I get to piggyback onto that.

  I have another class in my studio at noon, so I head toward the changing room so I can put on dry clothes and dry my hair. As I approach the changing room, Harrison steps in front of me.

  “I want to apologize again,” he says earnestly.

  He has amazing blue eyes.

  “I didn’t intend for that to happen, it was an accident, and I’m really sorry that we disrupted your class.”

  “It’s fine. Forgiveness and letting go are an important part of yoga.”

  He studies my face. “That’s very…generous of you. We were assholes.” He scrunches up his face. “Sorry.”

  I have to smile now. “It’s okay, I may have thought that myself. But exhalation is the act of letting go.”

  “Could I take you out for a drink…or dinner? To make it up to you?”

  I blink. “That’s not necessary.”

  “I know it’s not, but I’d like to.” His smile is genuine and open.

  Getting hit on by customers is not usual, since my classes are made up of mostly women, although it has happened. I don’t date anyone, never mind customers, and especially not men I don’t know. For a moment, I’m tempted…that unpretentious smile, those warm eyes focused solely on me…he’s making it hard, but I just can’t. “I’m sorry, but no.”

  “Oh.” His face clouds. “Everly said she thinks you have a boyfriend.”

  What? “No,” I say before I can stop myself.

  His eyes brighten again. “Okay, then!”

  “But I can’t go out with you.”

  Disappointment tugs at his lips again. He opens his mouth to say something more, and I sense he’s going to try to persuade me. My fingers and toes tingle as adrenaline surges through my body, my stomach clenching. “I have to go.”

  I bolt into the ladies’ changing room and shut the door behind me. My heart knocks in my chest, and for a moment I wish I could lock the door behind me. There are other women in the room, though.

  I am brave.

  I lift my chin and smile, making my way to the locker in the back where I keep my things. My insides knotted, my skin clammy, I fake a calm that I don’t feel as I change into a pair of cropped yoga pants and a top. Then I head to the counter and mirrors along one wall to dry my hair.

  I convinced Taj to let me make some improvements to this changing room, so it didn’t look like the marina bathroom it once was. I added a couple of hair dryers and a few feminine accessories. It’s not the ideal setup, but it works for the few classes a week I do here.

  Breathe in courage…breathe out doubt.

  Harrison Whoever is probably harmless, and I probably could have gone out for one drink, and it probably would have been fun…but I’m still uneasy about doing that.

  When I exit the changing room, I find Everly still hanging around. The man with her—the one who made the joke that caused Harrison to fall into the ocean—is with her. She approaches me, and he’s a couple steps behind her. Big guy, very handsome.

  “Arya,” she says. “I’m so sorry about the class.”

  I smile at her. I like Everly. She’s been coming to my class for a while, along with her friend Taylor, and she’s always been into it and respectful of the practice. “No need for you to apologize.”

  “He’s my brother,” she says. “Harrison.” She rolls her eyes. “I convinced him to come that first time, so I feel responsible for his antics.”

  “You’re not responsible for anyone but yourself.”

  “You’re so sweet. You handled that amazingly well.”

  “I apologize,” the guy with her speaks up. “I’m Wyatt.” He extends a hand and I shake it. “We shouldn’t have been joking around like that.”

  “I told your…Harrison that it’s fine. I’ve let it go.” I smile. “Shit happens.”

  They both let out surprised laughs. “It does,” Everly agrees.

  “It’s healthy to find the humor in things,” I add, smiling. “I need to get to my next class.”

  “Do you have a business card?” Everly asks.

  I blink. “Yes.” I move over to the counter and pluck one from the holder. “Here you go.”

  No idea why she wants it, but whatever.

  “Thanks. See you next week.”

  Is she going to bring her brother again? Crap.

  It doesn’t matter. I am capable of anything.

  * * *

  —

  Taj and I are sitting on the patio at the Golden Fish on the Venice Boardwalk later that day. The tables are wooden, the sun is low over the ocean, and we’re with some of Taj’s friends, Arlo, Indigo, and Janey, who are now my friends too. Taj’s boyfriend Ziggy owns this place, so we hang out here a lot. It’s got that casual beach vibe, cool and laid-back, with the scent of ocean and sun-warmed sand mingling with coconut sunscreen and marijuana. Lots of marijuana.

  I sip my beer, one of the many interesting choices Ziggy has on tap here. Taj is drinking kombucha with Longboard lager. I’ve finished off my tuna poke bowl, which was delicious.

  I look around as Taj and Arlo talk about the beach cleanup they’re organizing for next weekend.

  I can’t believe I’m living here.

  This is so far from home. Back in Fargo, North Dakota, the snow might be melting…or they might be having a late-season blizzard. I’m letting the sun warm my face, sitting near the Pacific Ocean, listening to Hozier, drinking a delicious beer. I let out a long, slow breath of peace.

  It might sound weird, but sometimes I get homesick, no matter how wonderful it is here. We all complained about the snow and cold, but weirdly, there are moments I miss it. And I miss my family. But life is good here. Uncomplicated. Relaxed. Chill.

  Maybe a wee bit boring, but that’s my own fault. I’m learning to take bigger steps, bigger risks. Not like skydiving or anything, just…small risks.

  “Tell these guys about your class today,” Taj says to me with a grin.

  I shake my head, smiling ruefully. “I got dumped in the water.”

  Arlo, Indigo, and Janey laugh, Janey’s eyes going wide. “No!”

  “Some guys were joking around, and one of them laughed so hard he fell in.” I pause. “Actually, I was having a hard time not laughing myself.”

  “What did they say?”

  I repeat Harrison and Wyatt’s comments and everyone cracks up.

  “So, he’s flailing around in the water, knocks into my board, and I go in too.” I roll my eyes, still smiling. “Oh my God, I was in shock! I couldn’t believe that just happened.”

  “Why are they coming to your class if they’re just going to fuck around?” Indigo frowns and flicks her black hair off her face.

  “Yeah, I don’t know. This guy’s been before. His sister is one of my regulars, I guess she convinced him to come, but clearly he’s not really into yoga.” I pause. “He wanted to take me out to dinner to make up for it.”

  “Ah!” They all react with the same knowing nod.

  I frown. “What?”

  “He’s just trying to get your attention,” Jane
y says. “That’s why he’s acting out.”

  “That’s probably why he came to your class,” Indigo adds.

  He was flirting with me and trying to impress me, but I doubt that was the reason he was there. “We’re not in grade school,” I mutter. “He doesn’t need to pull my hair or snap my bra strap to get my attention.”

  They all laugh.

  “You obviously turned him down.” Taj nudges me with his elbow.

  “Of course I turned him down.” Taj knows better than anyone why that is.

  “Seriously, though…” He regards me with a notch of worry between his eyebrows and touches my shoulder. “You were okay after falling in?”

  “Oh yeah. Fine. Good thing I can swim!” I appreciate his concern. He’s a good friend.

  “That would be important if you’re doing classes on the water,” Arlo says with a grin.

  “Let me know if you need me to hang around or get rid of him if he shows up again,” Taj adds.

  I want to deal with life on my own. But it’s definitely comforting to know there’s someone close by who’s got my back if I need it.

  We have one more beer. The Edison lights strung around the patio glow as the sun lowers below the horizon and the music gets a little louder. It’s Saturday night in Venice and crowds of people are still walking along the boardwalk, taking in the little shops and bars. Arlo and Indigo head out first. I watch them walk out, heads close together, Arlo’s arm around her shoulders. They’re such a sweet couple. Then Janey leaves too. I hug her goodbye.

  “Bike ride tomorrow?” she says.

  Sundays I have no classes. “Sounds good.”

  “I’ll text you.”

  Ziggy saunters over and takes a seat at our table across from Taj and me. “Hey,” he says, with a special smile for Taj.