Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Two days after the group dinner, I finally found time to attend the mindfulness class I’d been eyeing for weeks. Back in London, I’d made it a priority to attend meditation because my work could be stressful, and I needed to stay on top of my mental health. My life now wasn’t half as busy, but I still wanted to keep up my old routine. I also figured I might make some new friends at the class, which was always a bonus.
Entering the community hall where the class was being held, I was greeted by the instructor, a pleasant woman named Roberta who wore a bright green necklace in the shape of a turtle. She looked to be about fifty and was warm and welcoming as she ushered me inside and pointed me in the direction of a free mat to sit on. As I made myself comfortable and prepared for the class to begin, I looked up just in time to see a tall, dark-haired, brooding figure stride into the room. Irritation had my cheeks heating.
Come on, how was this fair?
Our gazes clashed as Derek walked by me, his brows drawing together as he noted my presence without saying hello. When he reached the back of the room, he lowered onto a mat while I internally debated leaving and finding a different class. One that didn’t include sharing a space with the first boy I’d ever loved who was now deeply bothered by my very existence.
13.
Derek
Of course, she was here.
I sat at the back of the room where I always did, mainly because it made people less inclined to try and talk to me. Milly was two rows in front, her perfect arse encased in a pair of skintight leggings and her perky breasts criss-crossed in a soft, pale purple wraparound that I really needed to stop staring at. I had half a mind to march up to her and declare the class was my territory and she had to leave. But that would be an insane thing to do, and besides, Roberta would kick me out if she heard I was scaring away new members.
To be honest, these classes were one of the few things keeping me sane lately. They were a place where I could clear my mind and feel some semblance of inner calm. I wasn’t sure that would be possible with Milly here. She was far too much of a distraction.
A beautiful, sexy, delicate, infuriating distraction.
I was going to have to find a new mindfulness class now, wasn’t I? There was no way I could concentrate on emptying my mind when all I could see was the waterfall of her long, chestnut brown hair in a silken river down her back. I’d always been obsessed with her hair, and she still kept it long like she used to when we were young.
I stilled when she turned her head very slightly to the side, peering in my direction before quickly turning back around. Her shoulders seemed to sag, as though in dejection, and a niggle of guilt set in. I’d been so hostile towards her, selfishly doing everything in my power to keep her at arm’s length. I hadn’t given much thought to how uncomfortable it must be making her feel. It wasn’t either of our faults that we lived in the same town and socialised in the same circle. Not to mention the friendship between our daughters. There was no way to avoid running into each other.
Even though we’d barely interacted, I found myself thinking of her often. The other night after dinner, I couldn’t help watching her walk down the street to her car, ensuring she got there safely. When we were around one another, my gaze was always drawn to her. I was constantly aware of where she was in any given room, and it was driving me insane. And had I mentioned how entranced I was by the way she’d turned into this classy, beautiful, sophisticated grown woman? Not that she hadn’t been those things before; they were simply more enhanced now. I was attracted to Milly, just like I’d always been, and it was a hassle I didn’t need or want. I certainly didn’t need to go falling for her all over again like I had at twenty, and making a fool of myself by getting down on one knee only to be rejected.
Still, we couldn’t go on like this.
Sighing, I stood from my mat and went to lower onto the free one next to Milly. She let out a sigh eerily similar to the one I’d just emitted, not turning to face me or even acknowledge my presence.
I stared at her profile, getting lost in the gentle slope of her nose, the plump curve of her lower lip.
“Roberta offers morning classes on Tuesdays,” I said, and her eyes flashed in annoyance at my clear meaning: Maybe you should attend those instead. I hadn’t meant to be rude. Then again, there was no other way my statement could’ve been interpreted. Go meditate somewhere else, please. I don’t want to be around you.