“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 and 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.