Page 30 of Chasing Smoke

“I didn’t realize hot yoga meant it was going to feel like we were working out on the surface of the sun.” I grab my water bottle from my cubby, downing half of it in one go.

Collins chuckles. Her cheeks are rosy, I’m sure from the heat, but I can’t help but feel like some of it has to do with the excitement of doing something she once loved again.

“I probably should have warned you.” She takes a drink from the stainless-steel bottle she brought.

I set my water down and use my towel to wipe the sweat from my body. “You still up for a drink?”

“That depends. Who’s buying?” She arches an eyebrow.

“I think it’s pretty obvious it’s me, don’t you think?”

“Oh, I don’t know. You did pretty well until the end. And you didn’t complain once.” She smiles and undoes the tie on her wrap sweater, peeling it off her sticky skin, leaving her in only tight boxer shorts and a sports bra.

My gaze sweeps over her in appreciation before I realize she’s not just another hot woman. She’s my best friend’s widow. Which means there’s a big off-limits sign with barbed wire around her.

I quickly snap my gaze away.

Then I try to convince myself it’s okay. She’s just an attractive woman. Anyone with two eyes and a heartbeat could see that. I looked at her as a woman for a second, not Collins. I forgot myself, that’s all. Not a big deal.

“I’m happy to admit defeat and pay for your drink as long as that is off our list from now on.”

“One and done?” She reaches for her own towel.

“I think weights and running are more my lane.”

Collins smiles. “Well, thanks for coming with me. I might see about a membership.”

Pride fills my chest. That was the entire reason I wanted to do these activities with her, to get her more involved. “You should.”

Her cheeks aren’t as pink as when we first got out, but she averts her eyes. I want to tell her I admire her. What she’s doing, pushing herself, is hard, but the effort is an admirable thing. But I think she’s still embarrassed that we’re doing this.

“Do you need to run home and change before we head to the Pines?”

She cringes. “Maybe. I forgot how sweaty you get in these classes. That okay?”

I shrug. “Sure. I’ll have a quick shower too, then meet you there. That work?”

“Perfect.”

As we say goodbye on the sidewalk, I watch her climb into her car before I walk to my house.

It’s funny how you think you know someone, but now I see that maybe Collins was just Caleb’s wife to me. Sure, they had us over plenty, but Caleb always pulled Fowler and me into his office, or outside to smoke a cigar. I never really got to know the woman Collins is. She’s funny and friendly and kind-hearted. I’m not sure why it surprises me. Caleb locked her down pretty fast, showing up in Echo Lake engaged.

FOURTEEN

Ansel

Ahalf hour later, I walk into the Pines and sit at one of the round high-top tables. Fowler gives me a chin lift from behind the bar. The Bruins are playing tonight so there are quite a few people in the pub. I nod and wave to a few but don’t go over to their tables.

I’m busy watching the game when Fowler sidles up to the table, setting a coaster in front of me. “How’s it going?”

“Good. You can toss another coaster down.” I nod at the seat across from me.

“Who’s the guest?” His eyebrows lift.

I get the suggestion. A seed of guilt blossoms inside me, not wanting Fowler to get the wrong idea. I’m pretty sure that feeling is only because of how I looked at Collins after hot yoga.

“Collins.” Fowler arches an eyebrow, and I add, “We just finished hot yoga class and I lost a bet, so I’m buying her a drink.”