"Yes, way," I told her, sitting down onto my own mat.

"What did he say?" It made me laugh that Zoey tried to whisper but really just managed to lower the pitch of her voice.

I shrugged and pulled my feet together to stretch. For a split second I debated whether or not to tell her the three best words I'd ever heard from his mouth, but I couldn't keep that from her. I had a feeling she'd been praying for me at night, or at least crossing her fingers frequently. "He told me he loved me," I said in the quietest voice I could manage.

Zoey opened up her mouth wide, and then slapped her palm over it. Whether she was screaming or squealing, I don't know, but her face turned bright pink. She got up onto her knees and threw herself against me, tackling me onto the soft carpet floor. "Kat," she whispered into my ear. "That's amazing." Kissing my hair before scampering off, she added, "You deserve all the happiness in the world."

"Thanks, Zo," I said with a smile. She really was the best girl in the world.

The teacher came in a moment later setting up her mat as close as she could in front of the mirrors, talking in hushed tones. At some point, while we were in downward dog I heard Zoey making a low whistling noise from next to me. Turning my head slightly, I saw her bright eyes on mine.

She whispered to me, "We need to do this more often."

I mouthed back a "Why?" It was bad enough I came once or twice a week with her.

Zoey winked at me before rolling her body into upward dog. "The camera adds ten pounds." I must have given her a quizzical look because she shook her head. "For Porn Wives."

Oh lord.

Chapter 55

"What do you want for your birthday?" Tristan's warm breath washed over the cartilage of my ear.

We were sitting on the couch next to each other with his arm looped over my shoulders, fingers tracing the valley of my collarbone. My eyes narrowed on their own while I tried to figure out if this was a trick or not. "You already got me a birthday present," I reminded him.

While some people may not like to celebrate their birthdays, I was not one of those people. I liked my birthday. I like birthday cake and balloons, and doing whatever the fuck I want because it's my day. Only this year, like last, I had to work on it. It could've been worse though. I reminded myself that it was early enough in the school year to where my students still didn't know me well and therefore, won't give me much hell. Yet.

His straight nose wrinkled as he made a face. "That wasn't your birthday present."

"Uh, you told me taking me with you to California was my birthday present."

"That was my grandma's birthday present to you," he clarified with a roll of green eyes. "I used her money. It doesn't count."

There were two things wrong with what he was telling me. I had never met either of his grandmas, which would merit a present and I never would. I could remember him explaining to me that one of them left him some money in her will. By some money, I meant a lot of money. It was the same money he used to buy his house and car. The lucky asshole. The only thing I got from my grandma when she died was a collection of creepy dolls. "That does too count."

"Kat," he muttered in a low tone. "Just tell me what you want."

I couldn't help but sigh, thinking. I knew how stubborn he was, and I knew that he wouldn't let it go so I thought more. Then it hit me. Sliding my hand over my lap, and then slowly letting it glide to where I could grip the thick muscle in his thigh, I squeezed. "I know what I want."

The perfect profile of his face was visible when he stiffened, staring forward. "What is it?"