Page 38 of No Such Thing as Serendipity
CHAPTER 12
By the time wereturned to Blissful Breeze after our hiking excursion, the villas had a different vibe. The rest of the participants had arrived, and a frenzy of activity replaced the calm energy from yesterday.
Near the fountain, an open-sided tent had been erected. A bank of tables filled with chafing dishes, indicating a buffet, lined the back of the tent. Four evenly spaced circular tables filled the center. Each table sported an arrangement of assorted flowers, matching the gardens in the four corners. A placard peeked out of the bouquet, displaying the name of each villa. At the front of the tent, nearest the fountain, a long narrow table sat beside a podium.
As we walked toward our villa, I leaned over toward Emma. “You didn’t tell me there was something going on tonight.”
She gave me a side eye. “It was in the packet.”
“I didn’t read it.” I glowered at her. “You told me I couldn’t choose any of my activities, so I figured why torment myself with everything I couldn’t do.”
She winked. “Wise.”
“What time does this thing start?”
“Six.”
“Six? Jesus, it’s a little after five.”
Emma laughed. “It’s not my fault you tripped over that log.”
As if falling wasn’t bad enough, I’d landed in a wet marshy bog. I glanced around at the others gathered in the square.Great.A smörgåsbord of women, and they were seeing me with swampy hair plastered to my head, and I smelled.
“Get me to a shower,” I whispered to Emma.
“Blake,” I heard my name called.
Noelle, the redhead from last night, caught my eye and waved.Shit.I gave her a big smile and waved back before I put my head down and double stepped. I grabbed Emma’s arm. “Get me out of here,” I said under my breath.
She laughed as I dragged her along. “She’s not for you, anyway.”
“One of these other women may be.”
“I already told you. This isn’t a dating retreat. You’re supposed to find yourself.”
“Right now, all I want to find is a shower.”
I glanced at myself in the mirror, satisfied with how well I’d cleaned up. If Emma had brought more stylish clothes, I could make an impression on Noelle or Dana. I’d settled on a pair of jeans and the black V-Neck shirt I’d considered wearing last night. The opening ceremonies seemed like the best time for the snug shirt that highlighted my muscles.
I had women to impress, even though Emma warned me off. By now, there’d be others to check out. Besides, I was confident I could find myselfandscore at the same time.
I stared into my eyes. Besides Emma, would anyone see the hurt and fear behind the bravado? Did I want them to? If my interest in Noelle and Dana were any indication, I’d say no. Neither seemed like deep emotional thinkers. Why had they come to the retreat? I’d show Emma. I’d get acquainted with them and find the answer. Then she couldn’t claim I didn’t know them.
When I emerged from my room, I found the rest of my housemates gathered around the table.
Dana greeted me with a sensual grin. Our outfits were almost identical, except her jeans were black. Still, she filled out her tight shirt as well as I did mine. “Glad you could join us.”
“If these yahoos hadn’t made me fall into a marsh, I’d have been ready sooner.”
“Who you calling a yahoo?” Annie said with a smile. She’d changed into a yellow sundress that complemented her dark skin. During our hike, I’d gotten the chance to chat with her one-on-one. Warmth spread across my chest as I recalled our conversation, realizing I’d made my first friend here.
“Yeah, I didn’t see anyone push you,” Katlynn added. After only two days, I’d adjusted to her bohemian style and no longer thought of her asthe hippie. Some women couldn’t pull off the look. It just made them look ridiculous, but Katlynn executed it to perfection.
“I see I’m outnumbered.” I met Dana’s gaze.
“If I’d been there, I’d have stuck up for you,” Dana said.
Before our electricity could build, Emma stepped between us and put her arm over my shoulders. “You were a good sport.”
