Page 86 of Vacation with the Ice Queen

The young man turned, recognition flashing in his eyes as he spotted her. "Yes, Ms. Frost. Your special order for Ms. Skye's cottage."

"I'll take it from here," she said, summoning the authoritative tone that typically brooked no argument.

He hesitated, clearly torn between resort protocol and the commanding presence of a VIP guest. "I'm not sure if that's?—"

"Please," Serena added, the word unfamiliar on her tongue in this context. "It's important."

Something in her expression must have convinced him. With a slight nod, he stepped aside. "Her cottage is the third one down that path. The blue door."

"Thank you." Serena took hold of the cart, momentarily wondering what the resort gossip mill would make of herpersonally delivering dinner to a staff member. At this point, she couldn't bring herself to care.

The path to Lila's cottage wound beneath flowering trees strung with tiny lights, creating a canopy of artificial stars to complement the real ones overhead. As she approached the blue door, Serena felt her usual confidence faltering. What exactly was her plan here? Push a dinner cart through the door and announce... what?

Too late for second thoughts. She was standing on Lila's small porch, the warm glow from inside spilling through gauzy curtains. Taking a breath that did nothing to steady her racing heart, Serena knocked.

Silence stretched for a long moment. Had Lila seen her through the window and decided not to answer? Was she even home? Serena hadn't considered these very basic questions in her impulsive rush from the villa.

Finally, the door opened. Lila stood in the threshold, her expression shifting from neutral to surprised as she registered her visitor. She wore a simple sundress, her honey-blonde hair loose around her shoulders, looking both beautiful and guarded in a way that made something twist in Serena's chest.

"Serena," she said, her voice carefully even.

"Hi." The word felt absurdly inadequate. Serena gestured awkwardly to the cart. "Dinner. I ordered it... before. For you. For us." She winced at her own fractured sentences.

Lila's eyes moved from Serena to the covered dishes, something unreadable flickering in their depths. "I see."

"I forgot I'd arranged it," Serena continued, words tumbling out now. "With everything that happened this morning... but then I got the confirmation email, and I thought... I don't know what I thought, actually. That maybe you'd still want to have dinner. With me. Or at least not waste the food. But I understand if you don't want?—"

"Serena," Lila interrupted gently. "You're rambling."

"Yes." She took another breath, forcing herself to slow down. "I am. That's... new for me."

A ghost of a smile touched Lila's lips, though her eyes remained cautious. "I've noticed."

They stood in silence for a moment, the night sounds of the island filling the space between them. Serena had negotiated billion-dollar deals with less anxiety than she felt on this small porch, waiting for Lila to decide whether to send her away.

"Would you like to come in?" Lila asked finally, stepping back from the doorway. "The food shouldn't go to waste."

It wasn't forgiveness or even warmth, but it was an opening. Serena nodded, carefully maneuvering the cart through the door.

Lila's cottage looked much as Serena remembered from her previous visit—smaller than the guest villas but infinitely more personal. Books stacked on bamboo shelves, treasures collected from the island arranged on windowsills, photographs and mementos that spoke of a life fully lived and appreciated. The space felt authentic in a way Serena's Manhattan penthouse never had.

"We can eat on the porch," Lila suggested, gesturing to her small outdoor dining area. "It's cooler out there."

They moved in awkward tandem, transferring covered dishes to the table, arranging silverware, pouring water from a pitcher decorated with painted hibiscus blooms. When they finally sat across from each other, Serena found herself at a loss. All her carefully constructed speeches had evaporated, leaving only raw truth hovering on her tongue.

"I received your reassignment request," she said finally.

Lila nodded, her expression neutral as she unfolded her napkin. "I thought it would be best. Professionally speaking."

"You were right to request it," Serena acknowledged, surprising herself with the admission. "I behaved... poorly this morning."

"You were being cautious," Lila replied, her tone giving away nothing. "Protecting yourself."

"No," Serena shook her head. "I was being a coward. And I hurt you. That wasn't my intention."

Lila looked up then, really looked at her, those perceptive eyes seeing more than Serena was comfortable revealing. "What was your intention, Serena?"

Serena set down her fork, food forgotten as she searched for words that had never come easily to her. "I wanted to control the inevitable pain. To manage it on my terms rather than let it happen to me later."

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