Page 98 of Where Wild Hearts Dance
I take the plate and follow her to the buffet table, marveling a little at how much Sera has come out of her shell. She was always the quietest of the four of us but she seems far more excitable and exuberant than she used to be. Usually, she keeps herself to herself and her astrology charts and tarot cards, but she seems lighter now, somehow.
“This place suits you, Sera,” I say, helping myself to a pizza slice and some salad.
“Does it?” She beams at me. “Well, I do like it here.”
“How’s the job? Are you enjoying the work?” I take a large bite of the pizza and resist swooning because it really is delicious.
Sera’s gaze softens, wistfully. “It’s good. It’s hard, I mean, the place is fully booked all of the time, so we don’t get many breaks but… the guests are fantastic, which makes it all worth it.”
“What kind of guests do you have here?” I’ve always been curious about how the other half lives. As afamily, we’re not exactly poor, but we’re not uber rich like some.
She smooths down her dress and it’s only then I notice how amazing she looks. Her figure has filled out in all the right places, the hem of her skirt is just short enough to reveal the bottom of her slim thigh. Her auburn hair bounces joyfully around her face and her skin isglowing.
“We get a real mixed bag. Wall Street financiers, actors, New York society of course, and also just regular, nice people.”
“Celebrities?” I ask, shoveling the rest of the pizza into my mouth.
“Sometimes, yes. But we don’t get to see them a lot. They often stay in the cottages and we’re given strict instructions not to bother or approach them.” Sera lets out a soft breath. “Doesn’t matter though. I think ordinary people are far more interesting.”
My gaze narrows. Something about Sera is different, but I can’t put my finger on what it is.
“So, what’s the plan for the next few days?” I ask. Forewarned is forearmed and all that.
“So, tonight we’re having a dinner with all the guests…”
My heart sinks.
“Tomorrow is Trilby’s bachelorette party. I have the day off so we’re going down to the beach then up to one of the suites for a girly pampering session.”
“That sounds fun,” I force out, though I’m stillmentally figuring out how I can either get out of or survive the family dinner.
“The following day is for final preparations and the rehearsal, then the next is the wedding!” She squeals and bunches her hands into fists, clapping them together excitedly. “In fact, you should probably try on your bridesmaid dress—Bambi too—as it’s been a while since your last fitting. We have a dressmaker on site who can make any last-minute alterations.”
Perfect excuse to get away. “Great! I’ll do it now. Where is it?”
“In your room. I’ll take you there now if you like?”
She takes my plate and hands it to a passing waiter who gives her a huge grin in return.
“How much longer do you plan to stay here?” I ask as we walk through the lounge to the main staircase. I glance around nervously, with half an ear listening for the sound of Benito’s voice.
“My placement is for twelve months, and I’m halfway through that now.”
She looks back over her shoulder at me as we climb the softly carpeted staircase. “I really love it here. I’m hoping they offer me a permanent job. If they don’t, I guess I’ll come home and figure out what next.”
Her shrug speaks of regret but her shoulders are light. The prospect of not getting what she wants doesn’t seem to bother her all that much. Then it occurs to me...
“Are you seeing someone?” I blurt out.
She doesn’t turn back around but I’d spot the immediate flush in her cheeks a mile away.
“You are, aren’t you?” I tease.
“No,” she replies quickly. “Not really.”
“Not really? You either are or you aren’t.”
We reach the top of the stairs and she takes a sharp right away from me. “Then it’s a no. I’m notofficiallyseeing someone.”
