Down and Dirty (Hot Jocks #5)(58)
“Vancouver.” He gives me a firm nod, his expression tightening in a moment of seriousness. “I hope you didn’t mean what you said in your texts about telling David you didn’t want the job.”
I smirk, squeezing his side playfully. “Oh, so you did read my texts.”
He rolls his eyes, feigning annoyance, but his smile gives him away. “Let’s forget about your bombardment of texts for now. What did you tell David?”
“I tried to reject the offer, but he told me we’d discuss it Monday after I took the weekend to think about it.”
“And have you thought about it?”
I nod. “A lot.”
“And?”
“And I want to be where you are, so if you’re staying here, so am I. And if you’re going, I guess I’m moving to Canada too.”
An enormous smile breaks out on his face, bringing out that dimple I love so much. I press my thumb against it, which only makes him smile wider.
“And if I got transferred to Minnesota?” he asks with a smirk.
“Then I’d buy some warm mittens. You’re not going to scare me away, mister.”
“I hope you know you’re moving in with me,” he says. “I refuse to spend another night without my wife.”
“I kind of like it when you’re bossy.” I grin. “But, yeah, I think I’m down for living together. I like the idea of having my husband whenever I want.”
It’s quiet for a moment, not that I mind. I’m all too happy to be getting lost in his eyes.
“So, what now?” he finally asks.
I chew my lower lip for a second before deciding. “Now you get your heinie back into your apartment.”
He cringes at my use of his least favorite word. “Yeah? What for?”
I slide my thumbs through his belt loops, gazing up at him with mischievous eyes. “For make-up sex. Duh.”
Landon’s dimple reappears, his face breaking into an enormous smile as he slips the key into the door. “That’s another first for me.”
“I like being your first,” I say, chewing on my lip. “And I just might be your last, if I’m lucky.”
“I think I’m the lucky one.” He nods toward my wedding ring, then pushes the door open, waving me inside. “Now, come on. We’ve got some making up to do.”
21
* * *
Old Friends and New Beginnings
Aubree
“Good morning, sunshine.” Elise yawns, rolling out her yoga mat next to mine.
The clock on the wall says 8:50, just ten minutes before the start of my favorite Saturday morning yoga class. The gang is officially all here, dressed in leggings and tank tops, and ready to get their flow on.
“Morning!” Ana wiggles her fingers toward Elise in a tiny wave, then presses into downward dog, pedaling her feet to stretch out her calves.
The two of us arrived early, as usual, to have enough time to stretch out and chat before the rest of the girls began filtering in, grabbing mats to set up next to us near the back of the studio. Thank God for Ana. She’s been a consistent yoga buddy for me these past few years, even when the other girls had absolutely zero interest in tagging along.
“How are you guys this flexible this early in the morning?” Elise eyes Ana’s form suspiciously while trying, and failing, to touch her toes.
Much like most of my friends, Elise has never been one for yoga. Which is why it’s so special that they’re all here this morning. When I messaged the group chat with the idea of us all going to class together, I was expecting pushback and pleas for brunch. Instead, everyone agreed to be at the studio bright and early.
Half of September has slipped away, and we’re just two weeks away from the big move to Vancouver, so everyone has been especially insistent on seeing plenty of one another before I go.
“So, what’s new with you guys?” I ask, working my legs into lotus pose.
Becca pipes up from behind me, where she’s barely managing a quadricep stretch. Ignoring my question, she asks about me instead. “Are you and Landon all ready for the move?”
“As ready as we can be,” I say on a sigh. “I feel like my whole life is in cardboard boxes. Meanwhile, I don’t think my husband has even thought about packing.”
Everyone chuckles, except Sara, who looks a little rattled. “Confession time . . . I’m still not used to you calling him your husband.”
“Honestly, me either.” I laugh. “Probably because we skipped over the whole boyfriend-and-girlfriend part.”
“And the fiancée part,” Elise says, wiggling her ring finger in our direction. She hasn’t missed an opportunity to show off that diamond since Justin put it on her finger.
“Yeah, Bree, you skipped the fun stuff.” Ana comes down from her downward dog, pretzeling her legs beneath her. “We didn’t get to throw you an engagement party or anything.”
“We could do one now,” Bailey says. “A delayed engagement slash wedding slash going-away celebration.”
The girls break out into excited chatter, talking over one another in three simultaneous conversations about decorations, food, and drinks. It takes a few glares from other women in the studio, who are desperately trying to find their Zen, for everyone to notice their sudden volume increase.