Page 36 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

I’d only gotten a little way down the path when I realized I’d forgotten my cellphone. Fuck it! I didn’t need it. Weren’t we supposed to be getting in touch with ourselves and cutting back on electronics?

I took another step down the path and stopped.

If I didn’t have my phone, Emma couldn’t reach me, and she’d get worried.

Especially after my performance. My villa mates would be gathered on the porch, so I’d slip in the back and retrieve my phone.

I turned around and jogged along the path, wanting to get in and out without being noticed.

I leaped onto the porch, avoiding the two steps leading up. When I landed, I realized the back door was hanging open. Odd. I slowed and glanced into the room. It was empty. Why would someone have been so careless?

I slipped inside and heard voices coming from the kitchen. Shit. I thought everyone would be outside already. Emma would just have to deal with me not having my phone. As I turned, someone raised their voice. Not quite a shout but close. Dana?

I backed toward the door, not wanting to get caught. The next voice I heard brought me up cold. Robyn.

What in the hell would they have to talk about, and why was Dana shouting? Though I knew I shouldn’t, I edged forward so I could hear better. I’d just check to see that everything was okay, and then I’d leave.

“You were listening in on our conversation?” Robyn asked.

Great. I didn’t want Dana to have any more ammunition.

Dana chuckled. “If you wanted privacy, maybe you should’ve talked somewhere other than the common area.”

“You’re right. That was my error.” Robyn’s voice was level.

“Ole Blakie was right. You’re a cool one—cold even. Hidden behind that warm exterior is a frozen heart. Nobody will tell me what happened in the woods. Will you?”

“Nothing happened. You were here for the session. We were exploring, letting go of our inhibitions and allowing ourselves the freedom of dance.”

“Apparently, you let go all over poor Blake. Weren’t you taking advantage of an uneven power dynamic? Isn’t that the feminist terminology?”

I grimaced, knowing Dana’s words would be like a gut punch to Robyn. Maybe I should step into the kitchen and make my presence known.

“You don’t have any response to that?” Dana pressed. “Well, I feel so much better. It’s you, not me.” Dana laughed. “I thought I was losing my touch.”

“What are you talking about?” Robyn asked.

“I’ve been trying to get into your girl’s pants since we got here.”

I registered Dana’s use of the words your girl. What was Dana talking about? Robyn made it quite clear it was a big mistake.

“If it wasn’t for her damned sister, I would’ve scored the first day. But I had her on the ropes. And then last night. Wow!”

Enough. I needed to stop this. Robyn didn’t need to hear about last night, especially from Dana.

Before I could move, Dana’s next comment stopped me. “This is priceless. I wish I’d gotten a picture of your face. Maybe you don’t have ice water in your veins after all.”

What did she mean? I wished I could see the expression on Robyn’s face. Was she angry? Hurt? Uninterested?

“She was a tiger.” Dana continued, while Robyn said nothing. “She pushed me against the side of the shed. You should have seen the heat in her eyes. Like she was gonna tear my clothes off and do me right there in the woods.”

Shit. It was too late to step in. Besides, I didn’t want to come face to face with either. I stayed rooted in place, unable to go forward but unwilling to retreat.

“Then she jumped away like something bit her in the ass.” Dana chuckled, but there was no humor in the sound.

“She looked at me. No, through me. She was obviously thinking about something else, or should I say, someone else. After today, I’m assuming that someone was you.

Then she ran off. Leaving me horny as hell. ”

After several beats of silence, Dana said, “You’re welcome.”

“I’m unclear what I should thank you for,” Robyn said.

It caught me off guard hearing Robyn’s voice since Dana had been delivering a monologue.

I squeezed my fingernails into the palm of my hand, frustrated I couldn’t see Robyn’s face and her expressions.

All I had to go by was the tone of her voice.

It still held her normal calm, but there was something else.

A warble of emotions? Or did I just want there to be?

“Because, believe it or not, I like you.” Dana’s tone didn’t hold the same bitterness of her earlier words. “You’re the only instructor who gives me space. Who doesn’t make me feel like a piece of shit for not being ready to share my innermost secrets.”

“I’m sorry that’s been your experience,” Robyn said.

“When I came to confront you, I wanted you to hurt like I did last night. But now, I don’t. You’re in enough pain, so I won’t inflict more.”

“Thank you.” I could barely hear Robyn’s voice since it came out so low.

“I see how much you’re hurting,” Dana said. “People don’t give me enough credit. But I’m a lawyer. I’m paid to read people.”

I yearned to see Robyn’s face, but it was too late to burst in. They’d know I’d been listening when I should have announced myself from the beginning. A wave of guilt washed over me.

“This is my favor to you. To both of you. Blake has it bad for you.” Dana chuckled. “That’s the only explanation for her not wanting a piece of this.”

I imagined Dana running her hand down her body like I’d seen her do many times over the course of the retreat.

“Plus, I kinda like that girl of yours,” Dana continued. “She might be uptight, but she’s not so bad. Do right by her.”

As I debated what I should do, a voice from outside startled me.

“Jesus, were ya all born in a barn?” Annie said. “Who left the damned door open?”

Shit. I hurried to the open door and slipped out, almost colliding with Annie.

I muttered an apology before bolting down the stairs.

Emma would have to deal with not being able to contact me. No way was I going into the villa to retrieve my phone now.