Page 81 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

It was Monday morning,and the beginning of our second week at the retreat. I couldn’t believe how quickly the first week had flown by. I’d already finished breakfast and was sipping on my second cup of coffee.

Dana had been trying to convince me to join her for tai chi, but Emma’s arrival interrupted her midsentence.

“What’s everyone doing this morning?” Emma said, as if she had a sixth sense that she needed to keep an eye on me.

“Blake and I were just discussing going to tai chi,” Dana responded.

Emma raised her eyebrows. “You were, were you?” She patted my shoulder. “I’m afraid Blake is signed up for something else.”

“I enjoyed tai chi the other day.” Pleading my case wouldn’t help, but the way the others were acting this morning had me nervous. Call me paranoid, but I swore they kept exchanging looks while we prepared breakfast.

“No can do,” Emma said.

A flash of irritation flitted across Dana’s face. “I still can’t believe you’re letting your sister call all the shots.”

“I can’t, either.” I sighed.

“But a deal is a deal,” Emma added. “And Blakehasintegrity.”

I felt her double-edged meaning. It served as a dig at Dana and a warning to me.

“I’m so excited for today,” Katlynn said. I studied her outfit, wondering what her first class would be. Her long, flowing dress looked like something she’d wear to a party, not a workout.

Emma pointed. “I’m guessing we’re attending the same session.”

“Are you going to—” Katlynn said.

Before she could finish, Emma cut her off. “Don’t say it. I want it to be a surprise for Blake.”

Amusement danced in both of their eyes. Now I knew they were just toying with me. In protest, I should lock myself in the bedroom and refuse to come out.

Annie stood from the table and shook her hips as she carried her dishes to the sink. “Girl, I think I might be signed up for the same session as you.”

Emma clapped her hands. “Perfect.” She turned to Helena. “How about you?”

Helena glanced around the table and pursed her lips. “My lips are sealed.”

Dana abruptly stood from the table. “Oh, for god’s sakes, they’re doing that stupid dancing in the woods thing.”

Before Emma could respond, Dana crumpled her napkin and threw it in the garbage, then she stomped from the house.

“Dancing? What the hell did she mean by dancing in the woods?” My gaze shifted between my housemates. They just grinned and continued cleaning up our breakfast mess.

The pack of us,sansDana, made our way to the woods behind our villa. When we entered the break in the trees, we found six others already there.

As we made small talk, Robyn burst into the clearing, sporting a backpack. She waved at us. “I apologize for running late.”

I glanced at my watch. “It’s five till. No Millie today?”

“No. It’s her fault I’m almost late.”

“What did the darling do?” Emma asked.

“You wouldn’t call her that if you lived with her.” Robyn laughed as she kneeled and unzipped her bag. “She decided her playbox full of toys wasn’t adequate or at least not as fun as the garbage in the bathroom. I woke up to it strewn all over my apartment.”

We laughed as we gathered around Robyn, who pulled headsets from her bag. As she handed them out, she explained the control buttons.

I moved up next to Emma. “What class were we signed up for?”