Page 40 of The Retreat
People stood up, gathering their bits and pieces.
Talia was still seated, talking to Rhona. She hadn’t looked at her since the joke.
Imogen didn’t wait to be acknowledged. She stepped out into the chilly night. A bonfire crackled and danced, welcoming the group into its orange-lit circle.
The bonfire was meant to be a bonding thing, according to the schedule. Laughter and roasted marshmallows, and someone with a guitar if they were unlucky. Ready, set… connect!
Imogen wrapped her arms around herself and took the seat farthest from the flames. This day was lasting forever, and her performance was wearing thin. She wished she were a psychopath. All of this would be fine if she didn’t have normal human feelings.
Behind her, the door swung open, and the others spilled out, bringing the noise with them. Imogen didn’t turn. She stared into the fire. Though she didn’t look up, she could feel Talia’s eyes on her. But she couldn’t look at her. Whatever this was between them, it was starting to feel less like an act and more like a test she hadn’t agreed to take.
Twenty-Seven
The bonfire crackled in front of them, its orange glow lighting up the group’s faces. Laughter and light chatter flowed freely.
Talia felt anything but light.
She looked across the fire at Imogen, sitting there with her arms crossed and her eyes trained on the flames, her posture tight.
She supposed she should be sitting next to her. That would look normal, right? But she couldn’t do it. She was angry, yes. But she was also confused. She blamed Imogen for that. She was just the kind of person who made things too easy and comfortable.
Talia didn’t want to be easy and comfortable. She wanted to sit quietly with her resentment while she slapped on a smile and bullshitted her way through the weekend. But it was much more complicated than that. She couldn’t sort through it. Did she hate Imogen or did she…
‘Hey,’ said Celeste, plunking down next to her. ‘Is Alex OK?’
‘Er… I think so.’
‘Jade’s just a flirt. Nothing Alex could do about it.’
‘I know,’ Talia said quickly. Jesus, a heart-to-heart with Celeste about ‘Alex?’ The bingo card from hell was filling up.
‘I don’t think you need to worry. Alex only has eyes for you.’
Goodgrief. ‘No, yes, no, I know,’ Talia said.
‘Go and sit with her. Work it out. Don’t let it fester. She loves you.’
‘I’m not…’ Talia chuckled. ‘It was just a joke.’
‘Hmm.’
‘Itwas.’
‘It seemed like jealousy might be an issue for you,’ Celeste said softly.
Talia flung her a sharp look. She had faked jealousy only because she thought she was supposed to. And now she was in a therapy sesh with her boss.
‘I don’t have jealousy issues.’
‘She’s flirted with Mitchell before.’
Talia blinked. ‘Alex?’
Celeste tutted. ‘No, Jade. Do you remember that night after we signed Halvord Global? She was all over him. I didn’tcare, of course, my relationship is much too strong. Very solid.’
Talia realised her mouth was hanging. ‘Oh. Good.’
‘I can’t fire her. I don’t have cause. But I’m definitely sending her to a seminar,’ Celeste said, her quietly furious eyes sliding to Jade, now laughing with Marcus.
