Page 36 of Operation Sunshine
“Relax,” he purred, squeezing gently before letting go. “Today is about play, not quarterly projections. And it’s going to be a magical day. Can’t you feel it in the air?” His voice was laced with the kind of enthusiasm that could only come from someone who thrived on chaotic group activities. He leaned back in his seat, his arms outstretched as though he were ready to embrace the whole damn forest that loomed ahead of them. “The trees are practically begging us to feel more ‘connected,’ right?”
Ben glanced sideways at Franco, half-smiling. “Yeah, sure, it’s like I’m on the set ofInto the Wildor something.”
Franco snorted, shaking his head. “I thought you’d be all for this. You know, nature, fresh air, no spreadsheets to manage for once.”
Ben rolled his eyes. “And I thoughtyou’dbe in your element, what with all the ‘team-building exercises’ and forced vulnerability. You really think I’ll enjoy ‘becoming one with the group’?”
Franco gave him an exaggerated look of mock horror. “Ben Whitaker, I’m shocked. You mean you don’t want to sit around acampfire and share your deepest, darkest secrets?” There was that glint again. “Where’s your spirit of adventure?”
Ben paused, his lips twitching into a smile. “You’d probably cry if we did that.”
“Me? Cry? Never!” Franco feigned offence, placing a hand dramatically over his chest. “I’mall about emotional openness and sharing. It’s notmyfault you’re allergic to feelings.”
The van hit a bump, and everyone rocked forward, thrown off the rhythm of their banter. Ben’s stomach gave a slight lurch, and he realised with some dismay he was kind of looking forward to this retreat. He hated himself for it, but in a small, begrudging way, the idea of getting away from the usual routine, surrounded by the eccentric crew of the restaurant, felt like it might be worth the effort.
They finally arrived at the retreat site in Adelaide Hills, and the air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. The rustic lodge was tucked away in the hills, with wooden beams and a sprawling porch that overlooked a dense expanse of forest. It looked like something straight out of a brochure for an “Instagrammable weekend getaway,” the kind of place Ben expected to see trending online with the hashtag #naturetherapy.
As the van doors slid open, a gust of cool mountain air rushed in, and Ben immediately regretted his decision to leave the safety of the restaurant. He could hear the rustling of leaves, the distant chirp of birds, and something else—the hum of Franco’s voice as he leapt out of the van, stretching his arms to the sky.
“You feel that?” Franco inhaled deeply, then spun around in a circle. “That’s the universe, Ben. It’s telling us to breathe.”
Ben muttered something inaudible and climbed out of the van, taking a long, steady breath to quell the knot in his stomach. He didn’t get this whole “mindfulness” thing, the overemphasis onconnecting with nature. To him, this place felt like an overpriced spa retreat with a lot of trees and overly enthusiastic strangers that he hadn’t even met yet.
Everyone followed the signs into the main room that looked as if it had been decorated by a particularly sentimental grandmother: floral cushions, faded bunting, mismatched garden chairs, and a few tables. The focal point was the huge fireplace, many rugs lying in front of it, covered in scatter cushions. Warmth spread into every corner, a pleasant temperature in contrast to the chill air outside.
Ben had a feeling he was looking at the indoor version of the campfire. As for sharing his deepest, darkest secrets?
Not a chance.
Franco immediately declared the place hideous but charming, and Mina insisted on taking a thousand photos.
Their retreat leader was an elderly yet sprightly woman named Coral who looked as though she lived off spirulina and sunshine. “Is everyone ready to bond?” she asked with an unnerving, too-wide smile.
Ben did his best not to grimace.
“I’ll be ready after about five cups of coffee,” he muttered under his breath, noticing a table with a coffee machine and rows of cups. He made a beeline for it.
“Pessimist!” Franco called after him. “Aren’t you dying to make some new memories?” He caught up with Ben, slinging an arm around his shoulder in a move that bordered on too familiar.
Ben tensed, but only for a second. “Franco, I swear, if you make me play any icebreaker games, I’m quitting right here and now.”
Franco laughed, clearly enjoying the idea of pushing Ben to his limits. “No promises. But icebreakers are part of the deal, man. You gotta work with the process.” He withdrew his arm, and Ben poured himself a cup. “You can pour one for me too,” Franco added.
Ben snickered. “You mean you’re not already caffeinated enough?” He filled a second cup and held it out.
Franco rolled his eyes. “Honey, you can never betoocaffeinated.” He took the cup and wandered back to the group.
The rest of the staff had already made themselves comfortable on the rugs or the chairs. Chloe was farthest away, her arms crossed, her eyebrows raised at every one of Mina’s suggestions; Lexie was texting furiously on her phone, likely planning her escape; and Willow was talking animatedly to Ollie and Raj, her hand on her hip.
Franco, ever the social butterfly, had found his niche too, immediately striking up a conversation with Coral, his hands fluttering as he spoke.
Any second now, and Coral’s gonna be wearing Franco’s coffee.How that man managed to avoid spilling every single drink was a secret known only to the universe.
Ben stood with his back to the coffee station, sipping the aromatic liquid. Franco chose that moment to rejoin him, still grinning.
“You really think they’re going to make us sit around and ‘share’ our feelings?” Ben asked quietly.
“I think that’s the plan. Get ready for the kumbaya circle.” Franco leaned closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “If you’re not careful, they might ask you to sing a song. I hear ‘Wonderwall’ is the group favourite.”
