Page 85 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

“Methinks your anger reveals much.”

“What the hell does that even mean?” I stopped and turned my hostile gaze on Emma.

Emma stared into my fire-filled eyes, but she didn’t look away. “Admit it, there were vibes bouncing off the two of you.”

“The only vibes happening were two competitive people putting on a show.”

Emma smirked. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

My nostrils flared.What the hell?Emma was just trying to bait me. “Not to worry, I sleep like a baby.”

Emma took both my hands in hers, and she gazed into my eyes for several seconds, to the point the intensity was making me uncomfortable.

She finally said, “I approve.”

“Approve of what?”

“Robyn.”

I just stared.

“Dana and Noelle are nos. Off limits. But I give the green light with Robyn.” She winked at me before she let go of my hands. Without waiting for my response, she turned and jogged back toward the clearing.

I stared as she went. I didn’t want any fucking green light with Robyn. Did I?

CHAPTER 23

The rest of theday, I’d been out of sorts. I’d gone through the motions in the classes we’d attended. To her credit, Emma left me alone and didn’t push me about my mood. I was thankful she hadn’t since I was struggling to understand myself.

As I changed my clothes for dinner, I tried to calm my mind. I’d wasted the day being edgy, but I wanted to enjoy this evening. It was a stupid dance, nothing more. It was everyone else making a big deal about it, which was the problem. Still, why had I gotten so upset and stormed off? Maybe it was something about the music. Everything here was designed to invoke emotions, so wouldn’t the music be the same?

And who the hell needs to debrief after a dance, anyway? I didn’t. But maybe it would be all right seeing Robyn. We’d laugh about it, and everything would return to normal.

Feeling a little better, I straightened my tight V-neck shirt. The one I knew hugged me in all the right places.What the fuck?Why dress up for dinner when it would be around the campfire?It was a pick-me-up to make me feel better after my lousy day. I’d allow myself to believe it.

I glanced at my watch, realizing I’d stalled enough that dinner would be served in ten minutes.Perfect.I wouldn’t have to make small talk or be harassed by the others.

When I stepped into the kitchen, nobody was there. They’d probably already wandered outside for dinner, and Emma hadn’t waited for me.What the hell?Was I butt hurt about it? No, it was just uncharacteristic of her, but I should be thankful she was giving me space.

When I stepped outside, Emma was standing on the porch while the rest were already around the campfire.

“I was just about to come get you.” Emma gave me a big smile. “Vera delivered the food a few minutes early.”

I wasn’t hungry, but I smiled and told her I was.

Emma’s face fell. “Oh, and Robyn can’t make it tonight. She encountered a problem at the bookstore.”

I shrugged. “It doesn’t surprise me she bailed on us.”

Emma frowned. “She didn’t bail. Vera said Robyn promised we could debrief as part of our sharing circle in the morning.”

Naïve Emma believed Robyn, but I didn’t. “Sounds like something I’ll be skipping.” It was obvious Robyn didn’t want to see us—me.

Emma pursed her lips and stared at me for several beats. Then she smiled. “Let’s go eat. It’ll make you feel better.”

Yep.Emma was going to ignore my comment, which was for the best.

After dinner, my mood hadn’t improved. If anything, it worsened. At least, I’d been able to disengage as others joined us around the firepit. I found if I smiled and nodded, nobody realized I wasn’t participating.