Yoga and Coffee.

Bella walked into the crowded room with her bag and Yoga mat under her arm. The Yoga session was packed. She scoured the room for Chris. He noticed her, waved and pointed to a free space next to him.

“Hey! I saved you a spot.” Chris said warmly.

“Hey! Thanks!” She placed her things on the floor next to him. “It’s completely full in here huh?”

“Yeah, the gym’s been going crazy over the last week”

“That’s great!” Internally Bella cheered as one of her theories about why he hadn’t called her was put to rest.

“How has your week been? I haven’t seen you around” Chris asked.

“Oh yeah really busy too, I had a tonne of work to do.” Bella lied, in actuality her week was completely mundane. Again though she cheered internally to hear that he had noticed her absence.

“All right if everyone could take a seat,” Milo’s voice rang out, “I am Ben, I will be your instructor for today.”

“Okay for this next pose you will need to partner up.” Milo said.

Chris and Bella immediately looked at each other and smiled awkwardly.

“Me and you?” Chris asked.

“Yeah” Bella responded quickly.

The pose positioned the pair sitting on the floor facing each other, with their legs spread and feet touching.

“Okay for the ‘Forward Fold’ you will need to hold each others hands. And when you are ready, one person will lean back slowly and gently” Milo instructed.

Chris held both his hands out palms upward. Bella placed her own into his. He noticed how slender and smooth his partners hands where and how they were dwarfed by his own. While Bella noticed the same thing, she felt his massive strong hands embrace hers with surprising gentleness.

Chris and Bella hung around after the session chatting, he introduced her to Milo and a number of the other staff. He also chatted warmly to his other patrons that approached him.

“Hey Chris!” A woman approached them.

“Oh hey Alice! I didn’t see you there.” He greeted her.

Bella eyed the stranger. Alice was a beautiful girl who appeared to be in her mid-twenties and was clad in bike shorts and a loose fitting tank top.

“Yeah I think I got the last spot in the corner.” She giggled and brushed a lock of platinum grey hair out of her face.

Chris laughed along, “Oh Alice this is Bella. Bella - Alice,” He introduced the two.

“Hello”

“Hi”

The two shook hands briefly and Chris noticed a distinct air of displeasure between the two.

“Are we still on for tomorrow?” Alice asked.

“Yeah sure!”

“Great! I can’t stay and chat I have class to get to. But I’ll see you tomorrow.” Alice said brightly.

Bella felt the stinging jab of jealousy strike her as she watched the young woman leave.

“So what are your plans for tomorrow?” Bella asked.

The two had gone for coffee again, the cafe was decently busy but not overly crowded so they decided to sit at one of the tables. The cafe had a friendly buzz and a cool breeze was blowing through the open doors which provided a comfortable atmosphere.

“Um… Not much. Just doing gym stuff.” Chris answered sipping his drink.

“…What are you doing with Alice tomorrow?” Bella questioned, trying her best to sound casual.

“Oh Alice is one of my clients! She asked if I could take her for her three free sessions. I kind of didn't want to do it because we actually have staff to do that now. But she only has one left and I did her other two so I figured I'd do it.” Chris said, “Is that a hint of jealousy Ms Rivera?” He laughed.

Bella went bright red, “Maybe a little” she admitted, “She is pretty though”

“Yeah she’s pretty but she's not my type.”

“Curvaceous young woman aren’t your type?” Bella laughed.

“Well… This doesn’t leave this table…” Chris said quietly, “But she strikes me as a bit of an airhead.”

Bella covered her mouth and giggled. “So you like smart women then? That’s your type?”

“Yeah I think so… I kind of just like having a decent conversation… you know?”

“I know exactly what you mean.”