Page 52 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

Despite my best efforts, Robyn refused to let me seduce her this morning, so we were in the pickup by nine thirty.

I’d been disappointed, even after she explained she didn’t trust we’d ever crawl out of bed to meet the others if she let me touch her.

She was right. As our time together dwindled, I became more desperate to spend every moment searing the memory of her body into my brain.

Since we’d lose tomorrow, I was even more frantic not to squander a minute with her. On Monday, when I’d received the offers from Apex and Ironclad, the decision proved easy. Who needs serendipity? I’d chosen Ironclad.

Then serendipity bit me in the ass. Ironclad’s next board meeting was scheduled for Friday, and they’d requested I attend. I wanted to refuse, but with meetings scheduled every other month, I felt obligated. Would I have chosen them if I’d known? Too late now.

Fuck. How had it gotten to be Thursday already?

A month had flown by, and now we were in our last days.

Today would be my last outing with the others since my flight to New York boarded early tomorrow morning.

Thankfully, Ironclad held their board meetings at noon, so I could return to the resort by Friday evening.

Then, only Saturday night’s closing party remained.

Emma had even convinced me to perform at the hidden talent talent show.

I glanced over at Robyn in the passenger seat, and my breath caught. Only two more days with her. No. I couldn’t dwell on it now, or it would ruin our day.

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I asked.

“Nope. Just get on 113 North, and I’ll tell you where to turn.”

I stuck out my bottom lip. “Fine.”

“Have I told you that you’re cute when you pout?” Robyn asked.

I shot her a look before I put my foot on the gas. I purposely hit it hard, so we surged forward.

“You’re gonna miss this truck, aren’t you?”

I took a deep breath, weighing my response. I glanced at her. “There’s a lot I’m going to miss.”

“Me too.” She reached over and took my hand. It was the only thing I didn’t like about the truck. The spacious cab required us to stretch to reach each other.

The temptation to tell her about my idea rose inside me. No. This wasn’t how I’d planned it. Tonight, at her apartment was when I needed to do it. Then maybe all this angst would lessen.

We drove in silence, holding hands, until she told me to turn on Westport Road. When we came to a small lighthouse, she instructed me to turn again. As we drove farther, I noticed the piers up ahead.

My eyes lit up. “Are you taking me out on the lake?”

Robyn put her hand against her chest. “I’m not doing anything. You have your sister to thank for today.”

I hit the gas, wanting to get there quicker.

“Whoa. Slow down. We need to find Pier 5.”

It wasn’t difficult, and soon we were hurrying toward the water. Emma saw us and waved her arm in a large arc.

I smiled as we approached. Katlynn wore her typical garb, a flowing tie-dyed coverup with a wide-brimmed hat. I had to do a double take when I realized Helena wore a similar outfit, except her tie-dye was in blue tones, while Katlynn’s was orange.

“Shit,” I said, looking down at my clothes. “I’m not dressed for this.”

“Did you think Emma would overlook that?” Robyn nudged me along.

Emma held up a bag. “You better go change,” she said as soon as we arrived.

“Yeah, we haven’t got all day,” Annie teased.

“Yes, ma’am.” I took the bag from Emma.

“Our boat is over there.” Emma pointed at a large pontoon on the dock.

My eyes widened. “That’s our boat?”

“Yep. A twenty-two-foot, one hundred fifteen-horsepower luxury pontoon,” Emma said with a satisfied smile. Then she laughed. “I have no clue what that means, but the guy told me to memorize it to impress you.”

“I was. But now, not so much.”

“Stop jabbering,” Annie said. “Our time started at ten.”

“It’s two minutes after,” I said.

“See, we’ve already lost time.” Katlynn dramatically put her hand against her forehead.

Helena nudged Katlynn. “Stop picking on poor Blake.”

“Why?” Emma said. “It’s so much fun.”

I turned to Robyn. “Are you going to protect me from this rabid group?”

Robyn kissed me on the cheek. “Afraid not.”

“Go get changed,” Emma said. “We’ll get the stuff loaded.”

“I’m going.” I’d taken a few steps when I turned. “Hey, what about you?” I said to Robyn.

“What about me?”

I wriggled my eyebrows. “Aren’t you going to change into your swimsuit?”

She smirked and unbuttoned the top button of her shirt. “I’m already wearing it.”

I craned my neck, pretending to look down her shirt. “You can keep unbuttoning it.”

“Hell to the no,” Annie said. “We aren’t going to watch you drooling all day.” She turned to Robyn. “I’m sorry, honey, but you’re gonna have to keep your clothes on.”

Everyone laughed. I waved them off as I hurried toward the building.

We couldn’t have asked for a better day.

The weather was a perfect eighty-two degrees, with a cooling breeze coming off the water.

Emma had packed enough food for the entire Green Bay Packers team, but we’d put a large dent in the offering.

We’d cruised the lake, swam, and even tried tubing.

It hadn’t gone well. I had what looked like a rug burn on my chest to prove it.

“It’s three. We have to return the boat by four,” Emma said. She raised her hand. “I vote we have one more sharing circle.”

I groaned, but the others enthusiastically clapped.

“Outnumbered again,” I said. “I can drive the boat while the rest of you do your thing.”

Robyn shook her head. “We’ll anchor in a secluded area so everyone can take part.”

Knowing there was no way to avoid it, I circled my finger in the air. “Woohoo.”

Emma sidled up to me and draped her arm over my shoulder. “You’re going to protest until the bitter end, aren’t you?” She didn’t wait for me to answer. “But you can’t fool any of us. We know how much it’s done for you.”

“Amen to that,” Annie added. “I think Vera needs to use you in her marketing material. No way would I have ever thought the uptight woman I met a month ago would become someone I adore.”

I winced. “Was I that bad?”

“No, you weren’t horrible,” Katlynn jumped into the conversation. “But damn, you were aloof.”

“That’s what happens when someone expends all their energy trying to control everything,” Helena said. “They don’t have energy to do much else.”

“That’s a great explanation. I’d not thought about it like that,” I said.

“I’m learning that for myself. The more I fought my body, the more I lost, so I understand more than you think.”

“Hey, no fair,” Robyn called from the driver’s seat. “You guys are starting without me.”

“She’s right,” Emma said. “Why don’t we gather our stuff together, clean up, and pick a few snacks for our circle?”

“Seriously? You want to eat more?” I teased.

“It’s our last day out together, so we need to celebrate.” Emma’s voice cracked. “Fuck. I will not do this.” She busied herself picking up the towels strewn all over the deck of the boat.

Lost in our own thoughts, we all joined her.

Robyn soon located a suitable place to drop anchor.

“Canopy up or down?” Robyn asked.

“I kinda like the sun,” Katlynn said. Then she looked at Helena. “Or would shade be better for you?”

Helena grabbed the brim of her hat. “I’ve got my hat and wrap, so I’m good.”

I slid onto the bench seat next to Emma. When Robyn arrived, she sat across from me. Was it on purpose? No, I couldn’t think that way.

Annie glanced at Robyn. “What’s the topic?”

Robyn placed her hand on her chest. “I’m not the leader. I’m just here with my friends.”

“Fair enough,” Katlynn said. “What should we discuss during our last session?”

After a spirited debate, we couldn’t agree on a single topic, so we settled on three rounds. The first centered on gratitude, leading to emotional declarations of our appreciation for one another. We were all in tears by the time we’d finished.

Then we’d moved on to the biggest life lesson we’d take away from our experience.

Annie raised her hand. “I’ll start. I’ve learned that being surrounded by a family full of men, I need to seek out my sisters. I need female energy in my life. You all have made me realize what I’ve been missing, so thank you. It’s helping me grieve the loss of my Danny.”

“Are you still in touch with Beverly?” Robyn asked.

Annie smiled. “We met for dinner last night to say goodbye. I’ve encouraged her to attend programs at your bookstore. She’s an exceptional woman once you get past the wall of her grief.”

Emma put her hand against her chest. “You have my utmost respect. You saw something none of us saw.”

“Aw, honey, I’m not all that special,” Annie said. “I just knew how to recognize grief. She’s helped me, too. I imagine we’ll keep in touch since we understand each other’s experience. And you all better keep in touch, too, or I will hunt you down.” Annie’s eyes filled with tears. “Who’s next?”

Emma jumped in, always one quick to the rescue. “The biggest thing I learned is I’m stronger than I think.”

I stared at her, surprised by her answer.

“I mean,” Emma continued. “Blake has always been stronger, but I took charge, and I did it. And I’m proud of myself.” She held her chin up and had a satisfied smile on her face.

“Wow,” I said. “Not to take away your thunder, but I’ve always known you were stronger than me.”

“What?” Emma looked at me as if I’d said the earth was flat.

I glanced around at the others and smiled.

“It might surprise you, but I can be a bit of a bulldog.” They all laughed.

“My strength comes out with force. It’s aggressive, but, Em, you’ve always had feminine strength.

No bravado. No strongarming. No forcing.

It’s a quiet strength that I’ve always admired.

Of everyone in my life, I’ve always known it would be you that held me up when I couldn’t do it for myself. ”