Page 84 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

For a moment, I forgot where we were and that anyone other than Robyn existed. Then I realized the music had stopped. I didn’t know how long we’d kept dancing to our own beats, but by the looks on the faces of those surrounding us, I assumed it had been a bit.

My face heated, and I stumbled back. Robyn mirrored my movement, just as she had while we were dancing, complete with bright red cheeks.

After a beat, the rest burst into applause.

“Damn, I’m not even a lesbian, but I think I need a cold shower,” Annie called out.

The others laughed, and I shot Annie a look of gratitude for breaking the awkward tension. It afforded Robyn the time to recover as she hurried to her backpack, tearing her headset off as she did. She shoved it into the bag before she turned her attention back to us.

“Great session,” Robyn said. “Usually, we talk about the experience, but we’ve run out of time. I don’t want to keep you from getting to your next class.”

“We don’t mind,” someone called out.

“Sorry, ladies.” Robyn waved her hand. “I have to get to my staff meeting at the bookstore.” She held up her bag. “I’m going to need you to return your headsets.”

I never looked at Robyn as I dropped mine into the bag.

Emma stepped up next. “Come back tonight.”

I wanted to turn and look. Instead, I kept walking away.

“Um, I...uh,” Robyn stammered.

“Yeah, come back,” Helena said. “That evoked, stirred, so many feelings. I think we’d all like to process them.”

Yeah,a chorus of voices rang out. My voice wasn’t one of them. Did I want to discuss this class with anyone, especially Robyn?

“Uh, well, okay!” There was a definite finality in her tone.

I’d not looked back to see her expression, but I sensed eyes on me. Were they Robyn’s or Emma’s?

The group clapped, and a few cheered. I heard Robyn’s laughter through the chaos. Had she already recovered from the dance while my heartbeat was still in my throat?

I kept walking down the path, ready to be away from the forest, music, and Robyn. If this was what letting go of control meant, I’d pass. I heard footsteps coming up fast behind me, but I kept up my determined stride.

“Hey, wait up,” Emma called.

I slowed but kept moving.

When she stepped up beside me, she said, “Wow. That was intense.”

I grunted but said nothing else.

“Sheesh, slow down. My legs are already rubbery from dancing.”

I kept my stride steady, so she jogged along beside me.

“You can run, but you can’t hide,” she said with a giggle. When I didn’t respond, she said, “Come on, Blake, relax.”

“I’m relaxed,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Right, and that wasn’t a fifteen out of ten on the smoking hot scale.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I knew, but I wanted to hear her say it.

“You and Robyn. Jesus, I thought you were gonna cause a forest fire.”

“Very funny.” I crinkled my nose and continued walking fast. “I was just participating in the stupid class you signed me up for. Being an obedient puppet.”