Page 118 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

I raised my eyebrow.

“You stop that.” Robyn laughed. “We’re going to talk.”

“Fine. I suppose flashing me might impede that.” I moved to the opposite end of the couch and put my back against the arm, facing her.

Once Robyn was situated with her feet under her and her dress pulled down over her knees, she said, “So what are we doing here?”

I raised my eyebrows in mock surprise. “Shit, I thought you knew.”

Robyn laughed. “I like this side of you. Relaxed. Funny.”

I glanced down at the couch, no longer able to hold her gaze. “I do, too. It’s just been a while since I’ve seen it, so I’m a little out of practice.”

“We all struggle. Finding our place in this world is harder than we even realize. We think everyone else has it all figured out, so we struggle in silence. That’s why I love Blissful Breeze and my bookstore. They give people somewhere to open up and discover we’re all struggling in some way. We help people find their internal strength and external resources.”

I cocked my head. “External?”

“Stop thinking like an equity trader. External resources aren’t always about money. It can mean developing friendships—relationships.”

“You’re right. In my wildest dream, I never would’ve guessed I’d get so close to everyone at the villa so fast.” I scrunched up my face. “I broke down and sobbed like a baby in front of them. If I’d behaved that way in real life, I wouldn’t show my face for a month.”

“Isn’t that sad?”

“Yeah, I guess it is. But it’s weird, too. How does it happen? Why?”

“We create a safe environment.”

I groaned.

“No, not like that.” Robyn held up her hand. “I know the term has become polarizing. For me, it has a different meaning. It’s not meant to protect and shelter you. It’s to strengthen you.”

“Whoa, back up. I thought a safe space was supposed to keep everything harmful away.”

“It’s all in how you define harmful. I believe it’s harmful not to face the things that most scare us. While others believe anything that might bring up unpleasant memories or pain is harmful.” Robyn’s penetrating eyes bore into me. “We need a space where we can look our pain straight in the eye, stare it down, and—”

“Kick it in the ass.”

Robyn laughed. “Yeah, I suppose that works. Blissful Breeze is about surrounding yourself with people who will love you through it. Hold your hand and support you but not allow you to shy away from it.”

“I can get behind that kind of safe space.” I bit my lower lip. “I can’t say yesterday was easy. Hell, that’s an understatement. It was gut wrenching. And vulnerability hangovers are real.”

“After someone has a public release like you did, I always ask them a simple question to put it all into perspective.”

She’d piqued my curiosity. “Which is?”

“If one of your villa mates reacted the same way, what would you think?”

“Oh, god, I’d feel horrible for them. I’d want to help and make them feel better.”

Robyn pointed at me. “Yes! Why do you think they’d think any differently than you do? Why would you think they’re judging you, thinking lesser of you?”

I put on a frown. “Stop being so logical.”

Robyn smiled. “We could spend the evening discussing healing philosophies, but we should talk about the elephant in the room.”

“Hey, I’m all good talking about the philosophy of healing. Enlighten me.” I grinned.

“Nice try.” The twinkle in her eye faded, and a serious expression settled on her face.