Page 58 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

I paced to the front door of the lodge for what must have been the fifth time. Robyn was late. A knot formed in the pit of my stomach. Had she decided not to come?

I’d texted her earlier but had resisted calling her. I didn’t want another awkward conversation like yesterday, nor did I want to hear the confusion and hurt in her voice. Doubt gripped me. Maybe I’d made the wrong decision.

The parking lot was fuller than I’d ever seen. Tonight’s party included not only retreat participants, but also anyone who had attended a workshop. But still no sign of Robyn’s familiar van.

It was already twenty minutes after the hour, and Vera planned on making her opening remarks soon. She’d claimed she was allowing time for the stragglers to arrive, but we both knew she was waiting on Robyn.

I sighed and turned away from the door. As I trudged back to the party, the upbeat music and buzz of voices did nothing to improve my mood. I considered slipping into the bathroom for a spell, but I couldn’t hide forever.

As soon as I entered, Dana waved me to the stage. She stood behind one of the large speakers with a scowl on her face. I climbed the stairs to the stage, remembering the last time I’d done the same.

It had been horrible yet cathartic. I climbed the steps, willing my knees not to buckle.

“What are you doing?” I asked Dana once I’d walked across the stage to her.

“The damned thing keeps cutting in and out.” She pounded the top of the speaker several times.

“That rarely works, you know?”

Dana held up one finger. “The key word there is rarely.”

I wiggled the wires in the back, pretending I knew what I was doing. Nothing happened.

Dana pointed at the wire coming from the bottom of the raised speaker. “Crawl under there and check for loose wires.”

“Are you kidding me?” I ran my hand down the front of me.

“This suit isn’t made for crawling around on a dusty floor.

” I’d pulled out all the stops tonight and brought a pinstriped charcoal gray suit back with me from New York.

It was tailored to hug my body. I hoped Robyn liked it. If she showed up.

“Fine, I’ll do it, you prissy thing.” Dana shook her head and smiled. “Women in love are so annoying.”

“Whatever, just check the wires.”

While she climbed under the speaker, I examined the cables plugged into the back panel.

“I’m not seeing anything,” she said.

I noticed the yellow cable seemed higher than the rest, so I pushed it and felt it slide a few centimeters. The static disappeared.

“What the hell did you just do?” Dana said, getting to her feet and brushing off her pants.

“I’m a genius. What can I say?”

She stepped up beside me and studied the back. “Seriously, what did you do?”

I pointed at the cable. “Pushed it all the way in.”

Dana groaned. “Fuck me.” She craned her neck and slapped at the back of her pants. “Do I have anything on my ass?”

I stepped back and looked. “You shouldn’t crawl around the floor in black pants.”

“What the hell do I have on them?”

“Looks like cobwebs.”

“Well, get them off.” Dana continued to brush at them.

I slapped her hand away and grabbed the silky string hanging from her pants. “Got it.”

She bumped me with her hip and laughed. “I finally got you to touch my ass.”

I snorted and started to respond when I noticed Robyn standing in the doorway across the room. My stomach fluttered. When our eyes met, I forgot my injuries and jumped from the stage. My knee reminded me as soon as I landed. But no amount of pain would deter me from getting to her.

As I approached, I couldn’t read the myriad emotions lying behind her eyes. I was so fixated on her face; I didn’t notice her outfit until I was almost to her. My eyes widened when I took in her sleek black dress. When I reached her, my cheeks were on fire, which only made my road rash burn more.

“My god, you look amazing.” It wasn’t eloquent, but I couldn’t help myself.

She gave me a half smile but put her arm over her chest and grasped her opposite elbow. No doubt it was a protective stance. My chest tightened. As I feared, I’d caused her reaction. I wanted to take her in my arms and reassure her everything would be okay.

Fuck it. I opened my arms. “I missed you. Do I get a hug?”

I braced for her answer. Regardless, I wouldn’t let her reaction sway me.

She stared at me for a beat, and then her arm dropped to her side. “Okay.” Her voice held little conviction, but I’d take it.

As I stepped toward her, she put her hand on my chest and scowled. “What did you do to yourself?”

“Oh, this?” I touched my cheek, which had crusted over. “I had a disagreement with the pavement. I lost.”

The apprehension in Robyn’s eyes disappeared as her fingertips brushed my wound. If my tumble erased the doubt in Robyn’s eyes, I’d gladly take the fall a million times over.

Her soft touch tickled my cheek. “What happened?”

“I tripped over some loose pavement while I was out for my morning run.”

Her eyes narrowed. “When did you get in?”

Fuck. I wouldn’t lie to her. “Last night.”

“Oh.”

It was amazing how much a single word could convey. I needed to turn this around. “It’ll all make sense—soon.”

“What are you playing at?” Wariness replaced the compassion in Robyn’s eyes.

Her words twisted in my gut. “Please, Robyn. Do you trust me?”

She studied me for several seconds before her gaze dropped to the floor. “I do.” Her voice was low, so I could barely hear it over the din of the surrounding conversations.

“Did you just say you do?”

She looked up, and our eyes locked. “Yes.”

“Thank you.” I put my hand on my chest. “You don’t know how much I needed to hear that.” I took a deep breath. “I really, really love you, and seeing the pain in your eyes is killing me.”

She looked toward the stage.

I glanced over my shoulder, and my gaze landed on Dana, who was just coming down the stairs to the stage.

“Oh, god, Robyn.” I took her hand. “Do you think? No!”

“But—”

“I’m so sorry if I made you doubt how I feel about you for even a minute. There’s so—”

Vera tapped on the microphone and cut off my words when she said, “Welcome, everyone! We’re happy to have so many in attendance tonight. First….”

Once Vera interrupted our conversation with her welcome speech, there was no more opportunity for Robyn and me to talk.

After the opening remarks, my villa mates swept us away to the buffet line.

Robyn sat next to me at dinner, but with the lively discussion at our table and visitors dropping by, especially those seeking Robyn, privacy was impossible.

While Robyn was radiant and gracious with everyone who approached, tension bubbled just under the surface. It was the strain I’d caused. As she talked with others, I studied her and fell even more in love. I hoped I’d have the opportunity to see where it could lead.

“It’s unbelievable how many people are here,” Annie said. “I counted over a hundred and twenty.”

“Right?” Katlynn added.

“It’s a tribute to the wonderful instructors.” Helena looked at Robyn. “Especially our favorite one.”

Robyn’s cheeks reddened. “You’re too kind, but thank you.”

“Is such large attendance typical?” Emma asked.

Robyn shook her head. “No, but this session Vera increased the number of classes that welcomed outside participants.” Robyn rubbed her chin. “I have mixed feelings about it.”

“Why?” Helena asked.

“Growing participation is great, however, the full retreat attendees’ experience shouldn’t suffer. Do you ladies feel it inhibited you?”

“Not at all,” Annie said. “I felt there were enough offerings strictly for us with the full ticket.”

Robyn smiled. “Good to know.”

“I’m not sure we’d have signed up for the hidden talent talent show if we’d realized it would be a full house.” Katlynn scanned the crowd. “I think I have stage fright.”

“It’s all right, babe,” Helena said. “I’ll be right there with you.”

“Are you going to tell us what you’re doing?” Emma asked.

“Only if you and Blake tell us what your act is,” Katlynn shot back.

Robyn looked at me out of the corner of her eye. “I didn’t know you were going to perform.”

“Um, yeah…we’re the closing act.” I looked across the table at Emma.

“But it’s a surprise,” Emma added. “We’re gonna dazzle you all.”

“Why do you think I drove all the way here from Chicago?” Dana said, entering the conversation.

I felt Robyn tense beside me, so I decided to lighten the tone. I swept my hand out in an arc. “We have fans coming from far and wide to see the sister act.”

While I didn’t want to rush the last day with my friends, I struggled to stay focused and enjoy my time with them, so I was glad when Vera returned to the stage. She announced the show would start in fifteen minutes.

Everyone scattered to grab another beverage, hit the restroom, or prepare for their performance.

Despite the break, there wasn’t ample time to start a deep discussion with Robyn.

Instead, I excused myself and huddled with Emma about our performance.

Since we were last, we’d watch the first eight performances before we made our way backstage between the eighth and ninth.

Shortly after I settled back in my seat, the lights dimmed. I glanced at Robyn and offered my hand to her. She looked at it for a beat before she took it. Her hands were surprisingly cold.

I leaned over to Robyn. “Are you okay?”

Robyn nodded.

“But your hands are so cold.”

She shrugged. “I’m fine. It happens sometimes, but the rest of me isn’t cold.”

Her tell? I didn’t explore further since Vera called the first act to the stage. I scooted my chair closer to Robyn and squeezed her hand.

While Robyn’s presence was comforting, I felt the apprehension radiating from her.

The show at least gave us a diversion. The opening act was a standup routine, followed by Helena and Katlynn, badly singing I Got You Babe while decked out in Sonny and Cher costumes.

Helena’s mustache flapped every time she opened her mouth as they played off the opening comedienne.