Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Stephanie: Poor guy. I knew about some of that, but not all of it.
Bree: Wow. You did? Well, that’s a promising sign. If he’s opening up to you, even a little bit, that’s a big deal. Tank doesn’t open up. Being cranky and closed off is basically two-thirds of his personality. The other third is going hard and never giving up, even when the cards are stacked against him.
Stephanie: I don’t know. I think the cranky part is just a front. I think he might actually be one-third man who wants to be loved, but is scared to be hurt again, and two-thirds force to be reckoned with. Or maybe even fifty-fifty between the two. In just a week, he’s surprised me a lot. In a good way.
Bree: *wide eyed emoji* So, you’re REALLY imagining babies after a week and one kiss?!
Stephanie: NO NOT REALLY! That was just to get your attention, but I like him. I really like him. It already feels like more than a crush.
But you’re right, I’m supposed to be lowering his blood pressure and helping him prepare for his big comeback, not trying to make him my boyfriend. This is probably unethical, even if we are both fully grown.
Bree: Technically, yes, there’s a power imbalance, I guess. But it’s not like you’re his therapist or his doctor. You’re his yoga teacher. It’s different. Worst-case scenario, if things get complicated, he can always switch to another yoga studio.
Stephanie: But I don’t want him to switch! I want to help him. I think I already HAVE helped him. And maybe that’s more important than kissing?
Bree: I don’t know. Kissing is pretty important. And it already sounds like it’s more than kissing. I mean, Shane is very romantic, but he never bought my pug a helmet just so he could drive me home.
Stephanie: Yeah. It kind of blew me away. He tried to play it off as no big deal, but it WAS a big deal, right?
Bree: Damned straight, it was. And I think it shows he’s interested in more than just kissing, too. You should just talk to him. See if you guys are on the same page.
Stephanie: You’re right. We have a private session on Sunday. I’ll ask if I can take him out for a smoothie or something after so we can chat. And I’ll leave Mr. Sniffles at home for the afternoon so he can’t fart on us again.
Bree: *laughing crying emoji* Oh my God, Mr. Sniffles. He didn’t!
Stephanie: He did. Right when the kissing was getting steamy. And it smelled like rotten tuna puked up from the bowels of hell.
Bree: *laughing crying emoji* *explosion emoji* Why is he pussy-blocking you like that?
Stephanie: I don’t know. I was blaming the rotten bok choy he ate from the compost, but it could be deliberate. Though he seems to dig Tank so far. He actually goes over and lies down next to him on his mat during savasana. It’s so cute.
Bree: Aw, that’s adorable. He can probably tell that Tank needs puppy love. And maybe Stephanie love, too…
Stephanie: Maybe. Thanks for the chat, darlin. And have a great time during your visit to KC. Eat some vegan barbeque for me.
Bree: I will do no such thing. It’s all ribs and chicken wings up in here. But I am bringing you back some BBQ sauce. I already have it stashed in my suitcase.
Stephanie: You’re the best. Love you.
Bree: Love you too! Keep me updated. Shane and I are both rooting for you guys.
Setting my phone aside, I lean back against the couch cushions, processing.
Maybe Bree’s revelations about Tank’s past should give me pause, but they don’t. It’s been obvious since day one that he’s a complicated man, with a lot going on under the surface and his fair share of baggage.
But we all have baggage. It isn’t the baggage that matters, it’s how we deal with it, and so far, Tank seems to be rising to the challenge of slaying his dragons.
It’s impressive.
And attractive.
And sexy…
I already suspect I could lose my heart to this man, but is that really what I’m looking for right now? Like I was telling Bree, I just ended things with the last complicated man I dated. Shouldn’t I take a time out to rest and regroup before getting involved with another?
Mr. Sniffles waddles over, collapsing with a dramatic groan at my feet.
“You’re right, the timing isn’t ideal,” I say, rubbing my bare toes into his scruff. “But you know what Yogi Shri always said in training—when you’re ready to learn, the universe will provide the teacher. Maybe Tank has something to teach me.” I nibble my lip. “Maybe we have something to teach each other…”
No sooner have the words left my lips than my phone buzzes again. I glance down to see Tank’s name and a hope butterfly takes wing in my chest.