I smirk, taking another sip of my smoothie. “That’s the goal.”
Lucy looks up from her drink, blinking at us. “What’s air-dry clay?”
“It’s like normal clay, but you don’t have to put it in a super-hot oven,” I explain. “You just shape it, let it sit, and it hardens on its own.”
Lucy’s eyes widen with wonder. “Magic clay?”
Theo chuckles. “Not quite magic, Ladybug.”
Lucy hums thoughtfully before going back to her drink, and I get the feeling she’s already planning something. Probably involving a lot of clay.
He takes another sip of his smoothie, then shifts slightly in his chair. “So, since you’re sticking with yoga, does that mean you’ll keep coming to class with us?”
I pause, running my thumb over the condensation on my cup. “I mean, I was going to find a new class or just do it at home, but…” I trail off, considering.
Theo just watches me, like he already knows where I’m going with this.
Lucy, however, is far less patient. “You have to keep coming with us!” she says, nearly knocking her smoothie over in her enthusiasm. “Mondays are family yoga days!”
I bite my lower lip. Family yoga days.
There’s something tight in my chest again. Theo’s eyes are on me, but he doesn’t say anything. I can’t read his expression and it is unsettling. I don’t want him to think I am pushing my way into his family.
I clear my throat, keeping my voice light. “Well, I don’t want to intrude on your time with your dad.”
“You won’t!” Lucy insists. “Right, Daddy?”
Theo exhales a small laugh. “You’re welcome anytime.” Then, after a beat, he adds, “If work allows, of course.”
I glance between them, and honestly? The idea of not going next Monday suddenly feels strange.
I exhale, then nod. “Alright. As long as my schedule doesn’t get in the way, I’ll keep coming.”
Lucy beams, completely satisfied with this outcome. “Yay!”
Theo just nods, like this was inevitable. “Good.”
I take another sip of my smoothie, then hesitate for a second before reaching into my pocket and pulling out my phone.
“Actually,” I say, unlocking it, “I should probably give you my number. Just in case something comes up and I can’t make it.”
Theo pulls his own phone out as well. “Good idea.”
I type my number into his phone and show it to him before pressing save. He taps something on his screen, and a second later, my phone vibrates in my hand.
I glance down at the incoming call, unknown number flashing on the screen.
“Efficient,” I say, saving his number in my contacts “Now I’ve got yours too.”
“Mutual accountability,” he says with a smirk.
I grin. “Or mutual excuses, depending on how things go.”
Theo chuckles. “Now I have to make sure we never miss a class out of pure spite.”
“Perfect,” I say, lifting my cup in a toast. “Mutually assured yoga.”
He clinks his smoothie against mine, and Lucy eagerly does the same, even though she probably doesn’t know what we’re agreeing to.
