Page 62 of No Such Thing as Serendipity
“Be careful,” Emma called after Annie as she walked off.
CHAPTER 17
I fell back ontomy bed and spread my arms and legs like a starfish. I should get ready for dinner, but I needed a moment to decompress.
Today had been long. Not long, but heavy. I still couldn’t believe it was already Friday. We’d been here for almost a week. I’d heard people bonded at a retreat, but I’d never believe it if I hadn’t been experiencing it for myself. This morning, the sharing circle had gotten intense when Helena broke down in tears, admitting how much she hated her own body. She’d sobbed in Katlynn’s arms until she cried herself out. By the time she’d gone limp, barely able to stand, we all hated her cheating girlfriend.
Thankfully, Robyn had been our facilitator, not the drill sergeant. She’d made sure Helena got back to her bedroom to rest. Katlynn refused to leave Helena’s side.
When the group resumed, emotions remained high. In my mind, I replayed the exchange I had with Annie during thegroup. After she shared how she felt when she lost her husband, she’d asked me if I’d ever lost anyone.
The question had taken me by surprise, so I blurted out,my mom.Before I could add Auntie Bess, Annie offered her condolences, and the conversation moved on. I suppose I could have mentioned my dad, too. Though I think he’s still alive. It was a different kind of loss, but a loss just the same.
Robyn had doubled back, asking me what I was about to say, but I feigned ignorance and told her I didn’t remember. Her expression told me she didn’t believe me, but she hadn’t pressed.
Later that day, the compliment circle had been worse. We sat in a chair facing the others, who were positioned in a semicircle around us. I’d countered with a joke, trying to worm my way out of it by claiming false advertisement. Shouldn’t it be called acompliment semicircle?I’d lost and been forced to sit there while people hurtled compliments at me. I cringed at the thought, but it gave me the energy I needed to get my ass up and take a shower.
When I emerged from the bedroom, I discovered Emma had already wandered outside. A large tent graced the lawn, so all the retreat-goers could share a meal together. I’d gotten used to our intimate villa meals, so I wasn’t looking forward to it.
Like we wouldn’t all sit at the same table, anyway. Except Dana, who’d likely be treating the retreat as a nightclub and cruising the ladies. With Emma keeping me in her sights, Dana had moved on to easier prey. That didn’t mean she didn’t entice me every chance she got.
Since Emma wasn’t waiting for me, I slipped back into my bedroom. I hadn’t checked my email for a few days, but I should.
Holy shit.My inbox was overflowing. Three hundred eighty emails. I smiled as I scrolled. I guess I was in demand, after all.With so many to read, I’d be late for dinner, so I closed the app. I’d take care of them tonight.
As I was stashing my phone in my drawer, I heard rustling behind me and my bedroom door closed.
“So I’ve finally got you alone,” Dana said.
I turned.Day-um!Her tight blue jean shorts and skimpy tank top left little to the imagination.
“You like what you see?” she asked.
I swallowed hard. How did I answer a question like that?
Dana laughed. “What’s up with you, Blake? The woman I met a week ago would have been all over this like white on rice.” She ran her hands down the side of her body.
“Uh...well, Emma, everyone is waiting for us.”
“You.” A sour expression crossed her face. “They’re waiting for you. I don’t think they know I exist.”
I refrained from saying it was no wonder since she disappeared so often. If not for Emma, would I have been the same?Probably.
“I know you exist,” I said, trying to earn a few points back.
“Do you now?” Dana moved toward me. “I was starting to wonder. It’s been almost a week, and I’ve still not gotten a taste of you.”
So many lines rushed through my mind, but they all seemed cheesy. Jesus, I’d used most in the past and never thought of them as cheesy, so I blurted one out. “Careful, I’ve got more desire packed in this body than you’re prepared for.”
Cringe.It even sounded creepy to my ears.
It must not have to Dana because she closed the gap between us and ran her finger across my lips.
That should have caused me to shudder. Instead, I stepped back and bumped into the bed. Losing my balance, I toppled onto it.
“Well, shit,” Dana said. “You move quick.” She started to lower her body on top of mine.
I rolled away just as she fell forward, so she landed with an oomph onto her face.
