Page 122 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

“All the finest entertainment Wisconsin offers.”

I groaned.

“Now that Emma’s taken you off the leash, I can fill you in.”

I shook my head. “It’s been kinda fun being surprised. I think I’ll keep it that way.”

“From stalking us, trying to get us to vomit up the agenda, to this.”

“Ouch. You’re wounding me.” I put my hand against my side. “I’ve been reformed.”

“I think you should be the poster child for Blissful Breeze.” Annie pretended to frame my face with her hands. “Did we get a before picture of you when your tight ass arrived?”

My insides warmed at the good-natured ribbing. No way would I have predicted I’d feel this way. “That’s it. I can’t take the abuse any longer.” I stood.

“Don’t you mean you can’t stand the smell of your sweaty self?” Annie said.

“That too.”

“Is your hot little number coming to the party?” Annie asked.

“I assume you’re referring to Robyn.” Annie just grinned but didn’t answer. “If you are, the answer is yes.”

Since Emma returned from the lodge late and still needed to shower, I was on my own to pick an outfit. The flyer recommended comfortable and casual dress, so I’d chosen a ribbed T-shirt that clung to my body and a pair of cutoff shorts.

I might have had ulterior motives for my wardrobe selection, thinking Robyn might struggle to resist if I showed off as much of my body as I could. Manipulative yes, but we only had two weeks, and I didn’t want to spend it taking cold showers.

When I stepped out of my room, Dana whistled. “Jesus, Blake, do you think you could wear a little less?”

“Too much?” I asked. “Or would that be too little?”

“Who’s too little?” Emma said as she entered the kitchen. Her eyebrows shot up. “Ah, never mind.”

“Should I change?” I asked, feeling self-conscious. “I mean, I can.”

Emma stopped and sized me up before she turned to Dana. “What do you think?”

“Me?” Dana put her hand against her chest. “You want me to answer that?”

“Yes, now that you aren’t trying to get into her pants—shorts.”

I gaped at Emma, not believing she’d be so bold.

“Who says I’m not?” Dana shot back.

Emma smiled. “You aren’t. You’re not the badass you want us to think you are.”

“Oh, really?” Dana’s reaction showed amusement rather than ire.

“Yep. You wouldn’t do that to Blake or Robyn.”

“Fuck,” Dana said, surprising me. While I considered how to intervene, she continued, “If this place tears down my façade, what’ll I have left?”

Emma walked over and put her arm around Dana. “Oh, I think you have plenty left.”

Dana snorted and looked at me. “Figures, now I have her approval.”

We all laughed.