Bend for Me Read online

  Also by Jessica Yeh

  Something Tragic

  Bend for Me

  By Jessica Yeh

  ©2019 Jessica Yeh

  ISBN (trade): 9781948327312

  ISBN (epub): 9781948327329

  ISBN (pdf): 9781948327336

  This is a work of fiction - names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Desert Palm Press

  1961 Main St, Suite 220

  Watsonville, CA 95076

  Editor: Nat Burns

  Blurb

  Avery Bennett is a bit of a player. But not without cause. After falling in love and ending up with a broken heart, she vowed never to get attached again. Hardened, Avery is determined to protect herself, not bending and absolutely refusing to break for anyone.

  Until now.

  When Avery’s best friend drags her to yoga class, she unwillingly finds herself developing feelings for the instructor, who doesn’t fall for her usual pick-up lines. In fact, despite how smooth Avery thought she was, Kadence Cooper is undeniably smoother. But Kadence carries secrets and sorrows of her own. Will they be able to heal and find love again? Or will inflexibility tear them apart?

  Acknowledgment

  I want to thank all of my readers and everyone who encouraged me to continue writing after I completed my debut novel. I am so grateful for the positive feedback and support. I never would have expected it. I always thought I was destined to be a “one-and-done” author. I’m incredibly humbled and flattered by all of the kind words I’ve received. I hope this next novel continues to bring a smile and a laugh to anyone who takes the to turn each page.

  Thank you to Nat and Lee at Desert Palm Press for all of their work and dedication to making this book the best it can be.

  And a special shout out to my loved ones, who bring me so much happiness and love on a daily basis. You know who you are.

  Chapter One

  EARLY ON SATURDAY, AVERY was lounging in her apartment, wearing a tattered, paint-stained tee with cheesy chip dust sprinkled across it. A pair of loose basketball shorts hung from her waist, shorts that once belonged to a random hook up whose name she couldn’t remember. Orange fingers crinkled the bag as she snacked, waiting for her best friend and roommate, Emma, to get dressed.

  “I can’t believe you’re making me do this,” Avery grumbled through her final handful of chips. She tossed the bag aside and untucked herself from the couch. A few crumbs fell onto the upholstery and she looked in the direction of Emma’s bedroom before brushing them onto the floor.

  “I saw that. You’re vacuuming when we get back,” Emma called out.

  Avery looked down the empty hallway. How did she even?

  The redhead appeared from the shadows, propping herself against the wall to slip on a pair of sneakers. “Come on, we’re gonna be late.”

  Avery grunted, tying her own shoes. “Nobody sane willingly gets up this early to exert themselves.”

  “Danny and I do.”

  Avery expelled a laugh as she grabbed her snapback from the coffee table, flipping her hair before placing it on her head. “Yeah, maybe for morning sex.”

  Emma rolled her eyes as she swiped the keys from the counter. “Or maybe for exercise, which you could use some of, as well.”

  “Calling me fat, eh?”

  Emma sent her a toothy grin. “Nah, just lazy.”

  Avery shrugged with a chuckle. “All right, I guess that’s fair.”

  They locked the door behind them before taking the stairs down to Emma’s car. Emma had a thing against elevators and Avery hated it. She especially hated it before seven in the morning.

  “Ugh,” Avery shielded her eyes with the lid of her hat. “It’s so bright.”

  Emma snorted as she gave Avery a shove in the direction of the car. Avery flopped into the front seat, not bothering to buckle her seatbelt as the engine revved to life. “So, why can’t Danny go with you again? I’m not the most flexible person.”

  “Oh, don’t I know it.” The corner of Emma’s lips quirked to the side.

  “Fuck off,” Avery shot back.

  “Always so grumpy. I don’t know how I tolerate you.”

  “Because I’m a goddamned angel. And I let you drag me to a seven-a.m. yoga class with a killer hangover. I should be getting serious brownie points for this.”

  Emma laughed. Her eyes still keyed on the road. “One, goddamned angel is an oxymoron, moron. Two, you just admitted you’re losing your touch. What happened to going all night, huh, party girl? And three, you know you’re willing to go just so you can see girls in yoga pants.”

  “Well, I definitely am a butt kinda gal.”

  “You’re gross.”

  “Love you, too, Em!”

  ***

  Iris Yoga Studio. The smell reminded Avery of a cheap discount store air freshener — the kind with an obnoxious name like Oceanside Summer or Breezy Escape. An olive-skinned woman with deep green eyes and dark wavy hair stood at the front of the room. Avery quickly zeroed in on the skimpy sports bra that accentuated a chest resting just above a tan, taut stomach. The floral leggings she wore were practically painted onto her skin.

  “Nice of you to join us, Emma.” The woman spoke with confidence, but her voice was gentle. The combination sent a jolt down Avery’s spine.

  “Sorry I’m a little late. Danny’s out of town visiting his family this weekend so I brought a friend.”

  The instructor nodded. “And you are?”

  Avery stood dumbstruck, eyes still raking across the slender frame, long legs, and toned arms.

  “Ow!” She rubbed at her ribs, resisting the urge to attack Emma with a jab of her own in retaliation. “Oh, umm, I’m uhh…”

  Emma raised a brow in amusement, reveling in the falter of Avery’s typical nonchalant, player façade. “Miss Eloquent here is Avery.”

  The instructor’s eyes twinkled in greeting. “Welcome, Avery. I’m Kadence. Have a seat, ladies.”

  Avery hesitated under the weight of judgmental eyes as they moved to the pair of open mats at the front of the room. She ran her palms across her T-shirt and baggy shorts. They probably reeked of beer and smoke. Avoiding eye contact with the rest of the class, she took her snapback off, tying her hair into a sloppy bun before wilting onto the cushiony material.

  “Let’s start with some sun salutations, shall we? Open your chest. Feel your spine elongate. Imagine a string tugging at your head while your tailbone sinks into the earth.” As Kadence narrated, the rest of the room hung onto her every word.

  How does anyone believe this mumbo jumbo?

  “Breathe in,” Kadence instructed. As though sensing her resistance, she hooked her gaze on Avery, who slammed her eyes shut. “Breathe out.”

  The room echoed with the sound of deep breaths. After a beat, Avery’s eyes popped open and she observed the way Kadence’s thick lashes cast shadows along the slopes of her cheek bones. Honestly, she’s not too bad looking. If only she wasn’t so much of a yogi. Shaking the thought, she released an abrupt breath through her nostrils.

  “Again.” The corner of Kadence’s mouth twitched upward, her voice soft and smooth. “Let’s try to breathe a little slower this time.”

  Emma snickered next to her. The comment w
as obviously directed at Avery. Avery squeezed her eyes shut. A water machine trickled in the corner, a flute spewed random notes on a backtrack disk, and the girl sitting behind her had a stuffy nose that whistled every time she exhaled. Instead of feeling calm, Avery felt her senses being overstimulated.

  “Block out the world,” Kadence repeated. “Let your chest inflate. Fill with clarity. Exhale anxiety.”

  Avery tried to be serious. Really, she did. But God, did this sound like a load of bull! Disregarding the exercise, Avery resorted to observing the instructor’s breathing patterns, the tight fabric on her chest rising and falling.

  “In. Out. In. Out.” Kadence repeated the mantra. Her eyes fluttered open, meeting Avery’s.

  Busted.

  Avery diverted her glance to the floor, cheeks tinted pink with the embarrassment.

  “Good, class. I can tell that some of you were very focused.”

  Har. Har. Very cute.

  “Now allow yourself to come back to the sound of my voice. Listen to your surroundings. Feel your consciousness shift.” Kadence’s eyes remained trained on Avery as the room resurrected. “Let’s move to a simple stretch. Everyone lay on your stomachs. For the next movement, watch me first. I’ll walk you through it, then you can modify as needed. Our first move will be the cobra. Keep your feet together, ankles touching. Press your palms into the mat and lift your upper body to the sky.” Kadence arched as she dictated the movements. “You should feel a nice stretch in your stomach, especially your abdomen, and lower back. From here you have two options.”

  She scanned the room as her eyes settled on Avery. “The first is the locust. When you’re ready, slowly reach your arms back and raise your legs. You should feel a tightness in your rear. This will help strengthen and tone your butt.”

  Avery couldn’t help but smile, watching the teacher’s muscles tense. Emma coughed a “perv” in her direction, but Avery feigned an innocent smile. After all, she was simply being a very focused student.

  “If you’d like to challenge your flexibility instead of strength, grab your ankles like this.” Kadence curved her spine as her long, slender fingers wrapped around thin ankles, chest now fully on display. Avery’s eyes widened.

  Don’t stare.

  “If you want, you can even rock a little.” Kadence demonstrated the movement and with every tilt, Avery received a full view down her bra.

  Don’t fucking stare.

  “Okay.” Kadence slowly released her limbs. “Let’s all get into cobra pose and I’ll come around and help you get into your next position.”

  “How are you doing, Avery? Feeling relaxed?” Kadence asked, transitioning from Emma to Avery.

  More like dying.

  Avery’s arms buckled at the sultry whisper of her name.

  “Looks like you’re a little too relaxed.” The teasing instructor lowered herself to sit cross-legged in front of the struggling klutz. She placed her hands atop Avery’s ribcage, hoisting her into place. Avery felt her skin sear through her T-shirt.

  “There you go. Now, locust or bow?” Kadence was so close that Avery saw the slightest ring of brown around her pupils. The honey coloring sprouted into her iris like evergreen in a forest.

  “Sorry, what?” Avery stammered.

  “The pose.” Emerald eyes sparkled. “What would you like to do?”

  Besides you?

  “Uhh…bow?”

  Kadence let her hands graze Avery’s shoulders so she could fall forward, pulling her arms behind her. Kadence leaned in and Avery found herself at eye level with her chest.

  Yep. Definitely dying.

  “You’re doing great. Just relax.” Kadence directed Avery’s hands to grasp around her ankles. “Nice job. Only hold that pose for as long as you’re comfortable.”

  Once she seemed satisfied with Avery’s position, she proceeded to the next student. Within seconds, Avery could no longer hold on. She released her grip, limbs colliding with the mat.

  Damn it.

  “Very smooth.” Emma giggled, rocking in her bowed position.

  Kadence’s head shot up, craning her neck away from the student she was working with. “Everything all right?”

  “Uhh, yeah. Just a little more intense than I thought it’d be.” Avery sat up, legs splayed out in defeat.

  “You’re good at this,” Emma taunted. “Very graceful.”

  “I hate this.”

  “Ya know, I don’t think you do.” Emma grinned, closing her eyes again, inhaling deeply. “Just wait until we do downward dog.”

  Avery rolled her eyes, fidgeting as she waited for the rest of the room to finish the position.

  ***

  “How did you like your first class, Avery?” Kadence asked when the class had ended. After locking up, she and the roommates walked toward the parking lot.

  Avery adjusted her snapback to the side with a rough tug. “I thought yoga was supposed to relax you.”

  “It does. It just takes a while to get comfortable,” Kadence said.

  “Oh, trust me, Avery gets comfortable real quick,” Emma chimed in.

  Avery glared.

  “Maybe next time you’ll feel differently.”

  Next time?

  Avery shuddered. “There might not be a next time.”

  Kadence frowned. “Shame. But I respect your decision. It’s not for everybody. Thank you for giving it a try though. It was nice meeting you.”

  “Yeah, definitely.” Why is my voice so high?

  “Emma?” Kadence redirected her attention. “Lunch with Danny and Melody when he gets back?”

  “Absolutely. And don’t forget about Friday.”

  “Can’t wait! Text me.” Kadence nodded with a final wave, climbing into her car.

  “Earth to Avery. Come back to me, Avery.”

  Avery jostled her head, swatting at the snapping fingers in front of her face.

  “Wow. You’re into her, aren’t you?”

  Avery scoffed. “No way. She’s straight. And probably eats granola for every meal. I bet she grows her own fruit in a small box garden and has flowers placed all around her apartment, too.”

  Emma shook her head. “Your imagination is wild. That’s just how she is in class. Kadence is pretty cool. Come to the party and you’ll see.”

  “I wasn’t invited.”

  Avery thought the freckles on Emma’s face would fall along with her jaw. “Excuse me? When has that ever stopped you from crashing a party?”

  “Touché.” Avery wiggled her brows, pointing a finger gun at her roommate.

  “Okay, slow down there, killer. You’re losing your cool factor.”

  “Am not.” Avery huffed as she collapsed into the passenger seat. “I’m just tired and dehydrated.”

  “Yeah. Your thirst was unreal. Like, you weren’t just a little parched. You were in a fucking desert and Kadence was an oasis.”

  “Shut up.”

  “Suck it up.” Emma nudged her in the ribs.

  “Stop doing that!”

  “Fine. But you do have some sucking to do — the vacuuming kind. Oh, yeah, don’t think I’ve forgotten.”

  Avery let her head fall into her hands with a groan.

  Chapter Two

  THE WEEK FLEW BY without Avery noticing. She was swamped with completing an exhibit for her gallery showcase. Friday, she was sprawled out in the living room, tubes of paint littering the coffee table. Just as Avery swiped hair from her eyes, there was a knock at the door.

  “Get that, will you?” Emma shouted from down the hall.

  She opened the door to find Kadence, pink lips turned up in a smile.

  “Hello, Avery. Nice to see you again.”

  Avery scanned Kadence, who was dressed in dark, skintight jeans. A red tank top sat under her leather jacket while her dark, silky hair cascaded on her shoulder. The tresses rested delicately on her collarbone and the entire combination rendered her unrecognizable from the woman in the yoga studio. Except her eyes. Those
were pretty hard to forget.

  “Uhh. Hi.” Avery stood in the doorway with her hand on the doorknob, jaw agape.

  “Would it be cool if I maybe came in?”

  “Oh, yeah, of course. Being inside is good, ya know? Because of weather and stuff.”

  Wow. Real smooth, Avery.

  “Emma!” Avery called over her shoulder. “Kadence’s here.”

  Her roommate hopped through the hall, one heel on, while she tried to hook an earring through her earlobe. “Oh, hey!”

  “I brought stuff to pregame if you want.” Kadence held up two brown paper bags.

  “You’re my hero. Go ahead and start. I’ll be ready in a sec,” Emma replied before scurrying off.

  Kadence turned her attention to Avery. “Are you coming to the party with us?”

  Avery rubbed at the back of her neck. “If that’s okay.” No. Don’t ask. Assert yourself!

  “Of course.” Kadence grinned. “We have enough mutual friends, I would suspect. Are you gonna get ready as well?” She eyed Avery’s paint-stained shirt.

  Okay. Game on, you can do this. “Why? You don’t like the look?” Avery answered, quirking a brow as she smoothed her hands along her curves.

  Kadence shook her head. “The look is great. The paint on your face is a bit distracting though.” She reached out a hand, thumb caressing Avery’s cheekbone.

  Shit. Fuck. Abort! “I, umm. I was kidding.” Avery stumbled, backing away from the warm fingertip. “I’m going to change. Cups and shot glasses are in the cabinet, furthest one from the left. Help yourself. Be right back.” She tried her best to exit gracefully, rounding the corner straight into Emma’s room.

  “You didn’t tell me she was coming now,” Avery hissed, closing the door behind her. “I look a mess.”

  “You’re always a mess,” Emma pointed out. “Besides, you said you weren’t into her. What does it matter? You’ve definitely looked worse.”

  “Gee, thanks.”

  “My pleasure,” Emma quipped with a grin.