Page 88 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

“I have no idea what she’s doing or why.” Defensiveness rose in me again.

“Then where were you?”

“I took a long walk to clear my head.”

“Still thinking about that dance?” Emma smirked and wriggled her eyebrows.

I stomped over to the dresser and slammed the drawer that hung open.Damn it.Since I liked order, I always closed any drawer I opened. I must have been distracted. This idiotic retreat was causing me to be reckless. Like leaving a drawer open qualified as recklessness.

“I don’t know why you keep going on about that stupid program yesterday.” I refused to use the word dance. It was my small act of rebellion. “Why can’t you just drop it?”

Emma pursed her lips. “Robyn’s already here.”

My heart dropped to my stomach.

“That’s why I was coming to get you,” Emma said. “We’re ready as soon as you get out there.”

“Then why the hell are you standing here giving me the third degree?” I turned toward the door. “Let’s get this over with.”

I’d hoped we’d have our sharing circle outside around the firepit, but as soon as I stepped from my room, I heard voices inthe common area. Great, a more intimate setting. Emma almost ran into the back of me since I stopped abruptly.

“What are you doing?” Emma asked.

“Nothing.” I put a bite into my tone. I know it wasn’t fair to take my frustration out on Emma, but the emotions brewing inside me had to come out somehow.

“Well then, they’re waiting.” Emma put her hand on my back and nudged me forward.

When I entered the room, the conversation stopped. Was everyone staring at me? Probably since that was what happened when someone new entered the room. I glanced at Annie, Helena, and Katlynn before I looked toward Dana and Robyn, who sat on adjacent chairs. Had Dana sat next to Robyn on purpose, or was it a coincidence?

Dana’s eyes blazed, and not in a positive way, while Robyn’s expression was guarded. This could be a very long hour.

“Welcome,” Robyn said. “I’m glad you could join us.” She smiled, but her eyes didn’t hold their normal warmth.

What the hell did that mean?Wow.I needed to dial it back, so I gave her a slight nod before I took an empty seat as far away from her as possible. Once I sat, I realized my mistake. I was across from her. Emma approached the remaining empty chair off to the right of Robyn. Had it been less obvious, I would have seized the chair from Emma. Instead, I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest.Bring it on.

Robyn’s gaze met mine as I stared with defiance. Sadness filled her eyes before she looked away, causing my chest to tighten.

Just get through this.I repeated it to myself several times, hoping it would calm me.

Robyn turned to Dana. “The others asked that we take time today to discuss yesterday’s program, but you weren’t there.”

“You mean the dancing?” I swear Dana looked right at me as she said it.

“Yes,” Robyn answered. “Since you weren’t there, if you’d rather not attend this session, you’re free to leave.”

Hallelujah.At least now I’d only have to contend with Robyn.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Dana said.

My stomach fell. I had no doubt Dana was here to punish me. I drew my arms tighter against my chest.

“First, I’d like to apologize.” Robyn made eye contact with me and held it. “Especially you, Blake. I behaved unprofessionally, and I’m sorry.”

Dana leaned forward in her chair and rubbed her hands together. “Oh, this could be good. What happened?”

“What happened in the woods stays in the woods.” Emma raised her voice as she spoke.

Helena flinched beside me, so it wasn’t just me who noticed.