“Great! I’ll get ready, and we can go.”
“Go where?”
She blinks. “The meditation class. You said you’d come.”
“I did?”
Her expression dips. “Yeah, just now. I asked you and you nodded.”
I hesitate, replaying the last two or three moments in my head. Damn. That’s what happens when I nod along without listening. Too late now.
“Okay,” I say. “I’ll get ready.”
Her smile comes back instantly. “Great. I’ll get changed.”
She hurries off, and I watch her go.
What the hell have I just agreed to?
CHAPTER 17
Sierra
“Welcome, everyone.” The man at the front of the class speaks in a calm voice that doesn’t match his appearance.
He’s lean, with close-cropped hair and a few old scars. I’m a little surprised—I’d been expecting some kind of young hipster type, maybe dyed hair or a big beard with his hair tied back in a bun. Instead, this guy looks more like someone you’d see in a drunken fight outside a bar at closing time than someone who teaches meditation. His relaxed, steady gaze moves around the room, sharp and assessing, lingering on Talon and me for a moment.
“I see a few new faces,” he says. “Welcome if you’re new. Don’t worry, I’m not going to make you stand up and introduce yourselves. The first time’s stressful enough without that, so just relax and make yourselves comfortable.”
Thank God. I’ve always hated that part of these things. Bertha’s here too, sitting near the front, back straight, eyes already closed like she’s been doing this her whole life. That alone is enough to unsettle me. She really does seem to be undersome kind of a magic spell. Half of me is concerned for her—after all, she’s the reason I came out here in the first place—the other half wishes I could be as relaxed as she seems to be.
I glance at Talon, wondering if he feels as awkward here as I do. Hard to tell. He’s staring straight ahead, avoiding everyone’s gaze.
I almost smile.
This can’t be easy for him. Everyone’s been staring since we walked in, and I know he hates it. I’m still glad he came with me. I’d half-suggested it as a joke, complaining about a Pilates class where I felt completely out of place. Having him here as another newbie makes this easier.
I hadn’t expected him to say yes. Thinking back, I’m not even sure he fully registered what I was asking—but I’m not about to point that out now. For better or worse, we’re here.
“We’re just here for a guided meditation,” the instructor continues. “Don’t worry if you’ve never done this before. It’s simple. Find somewhere comfortable to sit. Cushion, floor—whatever works. Don’t worry, it’s clean.”
Talon sits on the floor. I grab a cushion and settle beside him.
As I do, I notice the woman who had been hanging around Reid. What was her name—Ashley? Amanda?
She keeps glancing over her shoulder, tense. I’ve been meaning to talk to her, figure out what her deal with Reid is. Not for personal reasons.
No. Definitely not.
I don’t care who Reid sleeps with—but if he makes a habit of it here, that’s a problem. Especially with someone who looks as young and vulnerable as she does.
She catches me looking and immediately turns away.
I do the same.
“When you’re ready,” the instructor says, “close your eyes and lower your gaze.”
I obey. The darkness sharpens everything else—the rustle of clothes, quiet shifts as people settle.