AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I only smile. “I’m Eddie’s sister Rachel. It’s nice to meet you.”
“If it’s okay, I’ll just walk around downtown and do a little shopping?”
“Of course! They’ll be fine here.” She thanks us and gives Benji cash. I nod to Edward. “We’ll only be gone an hour or two. Text me if you need anything.”
Watching him walk away in his flannel shirt and ball cap, with Ben following along like a good little student, my anger at Zane melts into frustration. He does so many good things, helping my brother get ready for school, matching him with kids at the farm. For a whole moment, I consider getting back in the Jeep and driving to Miss Gina’s to make him say he loves me.
“Nope.” I shake my head, pushing that impulse right back down again.
It’s time to be strong for myself. I can’t heal Zane Bradford. He has to make that decision on his own, and I’ve got a date with Dylan and Allie.
“Forward fold…”I lean down to touch my toes. “Hands on the ground and walk out into plank.”
Allie and Dylan are in front of me on their mats. We’re all dressed in yoga pants and hoodies, and my phone plays a reedy-style of music while we move through the flow.
“Lift your glutes into downward-facing dog, and walk your feet and hands together. Focus on your breathing.”
We continue moving through the poses, going down to the mat for abdominal work until Allie starts hollering.
“I’m dying over here!” she cries, and Dylan and I start to laugh. “I thought you said this was going to be gentle yoga. My stomach muscles are screaming.”
“We’re on our last leg.” I quip in a soothing tone as we extend our legs while holding a crunch.
“I’m on my last everything!”
We finish in Lotus position, hands in prayer pose in front of our chests. I guide us through cool-down breathing, and we’re done.
“Namaste,” I say, squinting up at them.
Dylan’s eyes are closed, but Allie falls over onto her side. “Namaste right here. Send Austin with the wheelbarrow to haul me back.”
“Allie!” Dylan snorts, pushing her hip. “It wasn’tthathard. You really need to move more.”
“Sorry we’re not all prima ballerinas and yoga… sperts. What’s a yoga expert called?”
“A yogini?”
“Mmm… I could go for a martini right now.”
“Your vacation mode is definitely activated,” Dylan laughs.
“It’s true!” I shift onto my knees. “We’re all on vacation this week. We should have a girls’ night!”
I’m ready to party, not sit in my room right across the hall from Dylan’s broody older brother analyzing and obsessing over all his problems until I ultimately break down and bang on his door.
No! I really need to do something.
“The restaurant closes early tomorrow,” Dylan offers. “What do you say? Meet at the bar at nine?”
“Is that okay with Eddie?” Allie’s nose wrinkles.
“If he’s had dinner and is all set, I don’t have to be in the house. He’s not a baby.”
“It’s a date, then, and I am so here for it. I’ve been working my ass off.” Dylan groans.
Our mats are rolled, water bottles stowed, and we’re walking back to the restaurant along the wide, concrete path.
Tilting my head to the side, I consider this. “You know, I think this might be my very first girls’ night.”
