Page 87 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

“Seriously?” she called after me. “You can’t toy with people and run away.”

I walked faster, putting as much distance between us as I could. Once I reached the tended main path, I jogged. It didn’t take long before I burst into the square.

No way could I return to the party, so I skirted around the square, taking the path toward the main building. Once I arrived at the lodge, I spent the next two hours circling the parking lot. Finally, I walked back to the villa, hoping everyone had gone to bed.

Finally, something was going my way. I walked through the house, straight to my room, and pushed inside. As soon as my door clicked shut, I locked it before I fell face first onto my bed. All I wanted was to sleep and to forget this day ever happened.

CHAPTER 24

The next morning, throughmy bedroom door, I heard the others making breakfast. I was in no mood to socialize, so I’d make my appearance at the last possible moment. Emma had already knocked twice, but I lied and told her I wasn’t ready.

Could I stay in bed all day? Pretend I was sick? Robyn blew us off last night, so why couldn’t I ditch the sharing circle today?

Not only would I have to deal with Robyn, but I’d also have to face Dana. Last night left me unsure which I wanted to avoid more. The memory of my encounter with Dana made me cringe. I didn’t know whether she’d be hurt or angry this morning. If I was betting, I’d say angry.

If only Emma had kept me on a shorter leash.No.This wasn’t Emma’s fault, I’d gotten myself into this mess. Last night, I falsely believed Dana would ease the feelings swirling inside me or, at the very least, take the edge off. I hadn’t meant to toy with her, as she’d accused me of. More like yelled at me as I ran away.

In hindsight, had I set out to use Dana to erase what happened in the woods with Robyn? Not intentionally, but I doubted Dana would see it that way.

All day, I’d struggled to understand what had happened between Robyn and me. It’d stirred unexpected things inside of me. As much as I’d protested, I’d been looking forward to the debriefing session. When Robyn canceled, I’d taken it personally. I still wasn’t certain it wasn’t.

Another knock interrupted my thoughts. Before I could make another excuse, Emma said through the door, “I’m coming in.”

I didn’t have time to protest before the door swung open. Emma slipped inside and shut the door behind her.

“You look ready to me.” Emma stared at me. Her eyes didn’t convey her normal positivity.

“Yeah, I am now.” I stood from my bed and pretended to tie my already tied sneakers.

“Did you have a good time last night?” The edge in Emma’s voice was unmistakable.

I shrugged. “It was okay.”

“You better not let Dana hear you say that.” Emma frowned at me. “Though I think you’re slipping. She’s even more unpleasant than normal this morning.”

“What’s her mood have to do with me?” I figured going on the offensive might put Emma back on her heels.

“Cut the shit, Blake.”

I stood up straighter. It wasn’t like Emma to be so aggressive. “Why are you pissed at me this morning?”

“You couldn’t wait to escape, and Dana is the first thing you do.”

“Not that it’s any of your business…” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Nothing happened.”

“Oh, so it was a coincidence that the two of you disappeared?” Emma’s expression was full of skepticism. “You never saw her, huh?”

“I didn’t say that. I said nothing happened.”

Emma tilted her head. “Just talk to me, Blake.”

“I met her behind the shed. It didn’t feel right, so I left.”

Before Emma spoke, she studied me for some time. “You’re telling the truth, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” I’d told her enough. She didn’t need the details of why.

“Perhaps that explains why she’s slamming things around this morning.”