by Harper Bliss
At the same time, Lou was different and also very much like the person Mia had got to know when she stood in front of the room. There was a poise and elegance about her that Mia hadn’t really seen in her before, but there was also the warmth in her tone of voice, the gentle insistence she put in it to guide, not push, her students to a higher level of understanding of this practice she spoke so passionately about.
Even though Lou had treated her cold-heartedly, there had always been a sense that that kind of coldness was alien to her, that she had to put on a mask to be so harsh, retreat into a former version of herself—a version she only was in front of Mia.
This yoga studio was where Lou was at her best, where she shone and guided newbies like Mia into, at the very least, getting a sense of what yoga could be.
“One last sun salutation,” Lou said.
Mia had to glance at Micky next to her to get the order of the movements right.
“Don’t look at what anyone else is doing,” Lou said.
Did she have her eye on Mia? Did she see her cast her glance aside?
“Look at me.” Lou went to her mat in the front of the room and effortlessly stepped into a lunge.
Mia did as she was told and fixed her gaze on Lou, with her high pony tail and the beige tank top she wore contrasting so deliciously with the darker color of her skin. She caught herself in the middle of the thought and refocused her attention on getting the pose right. Stepping back into a plank she could do; it was the jumping forward bit with two feet that came after downward dog that had been troubling her throughout.
They finished their last sun salutation of the class and were then instructed to lie down on their backs.
“Focus on the breath,” Lou said, her voice so calm and steady, Mia wanted to record it so she could listen to it again later, when she was feeling flustered or overwhelmed. “You did a wonderful job today. You gave your body the gift of starting or deepening your practice. You did yourself a huge favor.”
Mia had her eyes closed and she couldn’t help but wonder if Lou was still watching her, even though she couldn’t make many mistakes with the pose she was in now. How relaxing to just lie there, with Lou’s pleasant voice washing over her, after having done this class, which wasn’t so much about starting a practice for Mia, but about taking the outstretched hand that Lou had offered her.
“Great job everyone. Thank you for coming,” Lou said after they’d all sat up and intoned a solemn namaste together.
When Mia went to drop off her mat by the door, where Lou was standing, she shot her a smile.
“Good job,” Lou said, and Mia could tell that she meant it. “You should come again.”
“Maybe I will.” She shot Lou a different kind of smile now, a more audacious one.
“God, I’m so glad the two of you are talking.” Micky had sidled up to them. “The tension was starting to do my head in.” She cocked her head at Mia. “I know it’s against the spirit of yoga and all that, but this one is going to need some serious limbering up.”
“You’re not supposed to watch others while you’re practicing,” Mia was quick to say.
“I didn’t need to watch. I heard you grunt all the way through.” Micky flashed her a smile. “Is this a good time to invite you both to our house for Robin’s birthday next Saturday? Or are we not there yet?”
“Depends,” Lou said. “Will Meredith be there?”
“Yes, she will, but I’ll tell her to keep well away and not accost you or harass you or re-swipe right on you in any way.”
This made both Lou and Mia chuckle.
“I just don’t want any drama,” Lou said.
“Is that a yes?” Micky asked.
Mia nodded, then so did Lou.
After showering and saying good-bye to Micky, Mia waited for Lou outside Glow. She kept an eye on the bus stop, where her bus was supposed to arrive any minute, but after switching her phone back on after class, she’d found a message from Kristin on her phone about Annie and Jane.
Still in her yoga gear, Lou turned up a few minutes later. “You’re still here,” she said, surprised.
“I thought you might like to know that Kristin and I are going to Newtown tomorrow for a meeting with Annie and Jane. From what I gather, it might be a very productive, positive kind of meeting.”
“They said yes?” There was genuine glee in Lou’s tone.
“Not just yet, but I think we’re on the right path. I’ll keep you posted.” Mia saw her bus round the corner. She glanced at it. There was no one else at the stop and if she didn’t leave now to signal the driver, it would cruise right past.
“Thanks. And thanks for coming,” Lou said. “Don’t mind Micky. You know what she’s like.” She threw in a smile.
“Ah, shoot.” Mia had been unable to tear herself away from Lou. “There goes my ride.” The bus thundered past them.
“Do you have to wait long for the next one?”
“Twenty minutes if I’m lucky. It’s all right.”
“Your life will be so much easier once Annie and Jane say yes. No more commutes.” Lou scrunched her lips together. “I was going home to take a nice long bath, but I can keep you company, if you like,” Lou said. “As long as we don’t go anywhere fancy, because I’m not exactly dressed for it.”
You look just fine to me, Mia wanted to say, but wisely swallowed her words. “You don’t have to. Wait with me, I mean.”
“I know I don’t have to, Mia.”
The way she said it made Mia feel they’d taken another few steps on that road they were on together.
“Then I will gladly accept your offer. A quick drink at Grape Therapy?”
“Lead the way.” Lou sent her a smile.
A couple of minutes later they both sat with a large glass of wine in front of them, and Mia was pretty sure she would miss her next bus as well. She didn’t mind one bit.
“We’d best start thinking about Robin’s birthday gift,” Lou said.
Mia nodded. “Have you heard anything from Meredith?”
“Nope. Your Pink Bean scare tactics really worked.” She grinned at Mia over her glass of wine.
“I didn’t mean to overstep my bounds.” Mia grinned back. “But I can be on bodyguard duty again if you want me to.”
“As I said, I can take care of myself these days.”
Even though they were having an impromptu drink together, a lot of the things that were said between them harked back to the reason they knew each other. Mia guessed that wouldn’t go away any time soon, or ever.
“Sheryl questioned me the other day about why you and I didn’t get on,” Mia said.
“Since starting work at Glow, I’ve also learned that some businesses in Darlinghurst really don’t keep up a dividing wall between work and private life.” Lou snickered.
“Yeah, and it’s as if they can’t stand it when two people who are new to the group and the neighborhood and the business don’t get on. Like they take it as a personal fault or something.”
“Or they’re just really nosy.” Lou sipped from her wine. “Although in Amber’s case, I know she was genuinely just worried about me.”
“They’re a fun group. Very much up in each other’s business, but kind at heart,” Mia said. “I’m glad to know them.” Mia would miss her morning shifts alongside Jo. Or perhaps she could persuade her to work in the Newtown branch with her, though she doubted Kristin would agree.
“Thanks for, huh…” Mia felt like she should say something, but she didn’t know what. “…waiting with me. I think another bus just went past.” What she actually meant to thank Lou for was for taking the first step. For reaching out to her, asking her to come to yoga, and treating her like a normal human being.
Chapter Nineteen
As usual, Lou woke before her alarm clock, but today, she wanted to huddle under the covers and keep sleeping. She’d had a very pleasant dream she wanted to catch the tail end of. One of those dreams that left her feeling so satisfied a
nd sensual and pleased with herself she never wanted to wake up from it, even though she couldn’t remember the actual contents of it.
She turned on her side and rolled into a ball, scrunching her eyes shut, hoping the images and emotions she had been basking in would return to her, gather her in their loving arms again, and make her feel desired and taken care of.
Her eyes started fluttering open of their own accord, however, and she knew there was no use in trying to fall back asleep, even though she had woken up in the middle of a dream cycle. Instead, she switched off her alarm and tried to clear her head, hoping she could put a face to the person she had dreamed of and who had made her feel so spectacular—much better than she’d felt in real life for a very long time.
She focused on her breath and tried to empty her mind, something she often coaxed her students to try, but was so notoriously difficult because there was always some trailing thought or wandering notion to bother yourself with.
She couldn’t even conjure up what the dream person had done exactly to make her feel so good, to make her want to stay in bed, go back to sleep, and experience it all over again. Had it been an erotic dream? Lou couldn’t even be certain of that, even though she felt a certain degree of arousal hum in her blood. It was more a sense of utter well-being that had washed over her. Complete contentment and peace with herself. And someone else had been involved, of that she was sure.
But it was the nature of dreams to be fleeting, to sometimes leave you wanting more, and often, leave you wondering what they meant and what your subconscious was trying to tell you. Either way, Lou soon realized she wasn’t going to find out more about this dream, no matter how much she wanted to return to it. It was time to let it go and get up.
It was Saturday morning and she had three classes to teach, of which two were back-to-back. Then, tonight, she had a party to attend. Truth be told, she was a little worried about Meredith being there. Everyone she’d gotten to know over the past few months would be there. It would be a celebration of one of Meredith’s friends. Surely she would be in no mood to create a scene. With that thought, Lou stretched, got out of bed, and started her day.
The first person Lou saw after Micky showed her in was Meredith. They caught each other’s glance and Lou thought it only polite to send her a quick smile. After all, the woman had never done anything truly bad to her; she’d just been a bit pushy, which Lou chose to see as flattery.
It was only after Meredith smiled back at her, and Lou could only decipher that smile as weirdly triumphant, that she noticed Meredith had not come to the party alone. She had a woman on her arm who was clearly more than a friend or colleague.
Good for her, Lou thought, and started mingling. Micky’s living room seemed filled to the brim already, all the couches and chairs were taken and a bunch of people stood around the dining table.
Lou never felt comfortable in situations like this so, after wishing Robin a happy birthday, she went to find Amber, who was chatting with Caitlin and Sheryl. She glanced around but didn’t see Mia. Was she now actively looking forward to when Mia Miller would arrive?
“Good news, Lou,” Sheryl said. “It looks like we’ll come to an agreement with Annie and Jane next week.”
“That’s great.” Lou knew this already, but didn’t want to spoil Sheryl’s glee. Two days ago, Annie had called her and asked Lou, one old friend to another, to vouch for Kristin and Sheryl’s character.
The only negative thing Lou had been able to think of was that they had hired Mia, although she had soon corrected her thought—and had certainly not voiced it to Annie, because it was Mia who had set the whole thing in motion.
Sheryl raised her glass. “To the second location of the Pink Bean.”
They all clinked their glasses together.
“Well, it’s not going to be there tomorrow, but it’s going to be wonderful once it is.” Sheryl peered at Lou. “That Jane is a feisty one. I like her.”
“At first, I couldn’t believe it was Jane Quinn you were talking about,” Amber said.
“Are you keen on reading some spicy lesbian romance then?” Caitlin said in a teasing tone.
“Aren’t you?” Amber retorted. “Or is that not intellectual enough for you?”
“I’ve read a few,” Caitlin admitted.
“I haven’t,” Sheryl said, “but I’ve bought a couple and I will rectify the situation as soon as possible.” Sheryl looked at Lou again.
“I couldn’t possibly read any of her books. Annie is a friend of my mother’s. It’s just all too… weird for me.”
“Oh come on, Lou,” Caitlin said. “You’re missing out. Put that thought out of your head at once.”
“I can’t. She’s like an aunt to me. It’s simply impossible.”
They all chuckled.
“Ah, Mia, tell us, have you read any of Jane Quinn’s books?”
Lou had taken her eye off the hallway entrance and hadn’t seen Mia arrive.
“I tried,” Mia said. “I really did, but I’ve known Annie for such a long time and I kept seeing her as one of the characters and I just couldn’t get over that. It was awkward when I went back to the shop, you know.” She smiled at Lou; Lou smiled back.
“So what are you saying?” Sheryl said, on a roll as usual. “If I were to write a lesbian romance, you would refuse to read it because you’d mistakenly cast me and Kristin in the roles of the characters? That’s just ridiculous. Where’s your imagination?”
“I just gave them almost the same reason, on account of Annie being a long-time family friend,” Lou said to Mia. “They refuse to accept it, even though Sheryl has the audacity to judge us without having read any of the books herself. I think she believes romance to be beneath her.”
Mia’s eyes narrowed. Perhaps she wasn’t expecting Lou to give Sheryl lip like that. Lou hadn’t been expecting it either, but this group of people just made her feel good about herself—made her able to be herself around them. And then, with Mia’s narrowed eyes on her, with her smile crooked like that, and her dark hair falling into her eyes, and her hand quickly swooping it away, a flash of the dream she’d had last night came back to her. The other person in the dream who had made her feel so good. It was Mia. Lou quickly took a few sips from her drink to wash away the unsettling feeling that came over her.
Mia looked away, and said to Sheryl, “I would read every word of romance you ever write without qualms, boss. Just make sure none of your characters wear vests every day.”
Everyone burst out laughing again, and Lou forgot about the dream, until the group dispersed and she found herself alone with Mia, hovering over the part of the table with the vegan snacks.
“I see Meredith has moved on,” Mia said.
“Looks like it, which means you’re off bodyguard duty.” Her arm bumped lightly into Mia’s and a flash of the dream came back to her—or was she making things up now? Mia’s face as it leaned in toward her, ready to kiss her. “I’m surprised she even made it here. She’ll probably get a call from work in ten minutes, leaving another poor woman disillusioned.”
“Is that what happened on the date?”
“Yes, on a Sunday evening.” Lou still couldn’t keep the indignation about that out of her voice. “I’m sorry. I’m truly not that upset about Meredith, it’s more that her actions evoked strong feelings about my ex and why we split.”
“Not enough time for you?”
“Not just me. For herself either.” Lou drank again. “But I don’t really want to talk about my ex. I’m at a party. I’d rather enjoy myself.”
“Anything I can do to enhance your enjoyment?” Mia’s bare arm slid against hers again. Was it the effects of the three glasses of wine Lou had knocked back in quick succession or was it still the dream that was haunting her? Lou felt something warm and fuzzy come to life in the pit of her stomach.
“Yeah, tell me something, Mia Miller.” Oh, it was definitely the alcohol. She should have one of those snacks soon. “How come you’re
single? I’ve witnessed Daisy shamelessly flirt with you more than once at the Pink Bean. Objectively speaking, you’re a good-looking woman. And everyone here speaks so highly of you.”
“Objectively speaking, huh?” Mia said with a smile on her face. “I’m not really looking, you know. What’s wrong with being single?”
“There’s nothing wrong with it, but then it does make me wonder why, if you’re not looking, you’re on Tinder.”
Mia shook her head. “You got me.” She shrugged. “A friend of mine set it up for me when I was having a bad day. I flipped through some profiles.”
“All left swipes?” Lou inquired. “Nobody tickled your fancy at all?” Was she flirting? She’d better get herself in check.
“I wouldn’t say nobody.” Mia cocked her head.
“Pity you didn’t take a chance on Meredith. She literally told me she swiped right on you and she could only conclude you’d swiped left.”
“She told you?” Mia gave a chuckle. “Well, looks like I’m too late now.” They both glanced at Meredith who was engaged in a too passionate display of public affection.
“And I was only her consolation prize after you didn’t bite.” Lou drank again. Tomorrow was Sunday. She was having fun—and an actual conversation with Mia Miller full of innuendo. A conversation she would otherwise be too uptight to have, but this was a party. And who said Lou couldn’t party? Angie could say those things about Lou all she wanted—and it was true that Lou was usually the one who wanted to go home first when they were out together—but tonight, Lou was unattached, and in the company of new friends, and she quite liked the new life she was starting to build around them.