by Susan Hatler
I longed to tell her everything even though I barely knew her. The tension building in my chest was going to explode if I didn’t let it out soon. I fought to compose myself, blinking back tears. “You’re sweet. But I’m in charge of the retreat, and you’re a guest.” I pressed my lips together. “It’s my job to make sure you’re enjoying yourself. Are you?” I asked.
She gave me a wary look, but then said. “The retreat is fabulous. I’m learning so much about myself from taking the time to journal, discussions with the other women, the events . . .” She let out a contented sigh. “I feel so powerful, focusing on myself and friendships. I wish we could go bull riding or something next.”
“I’ll put bull riding on the agenda for the next retreat.” I sputtered out a laugh and then sobered. Who knew if The Date Escape would be around another time?
“Are your services as event planner exclusive to these retreats?” She crossed her arm around her middle, holding her opposite elbow, then sipped her mimosa. “I noticed your logo for Olivia’s Occasions on the printouts for the retreat, but I wasn’t sure if you were accepting new clients. Or if Greta had snatched you up for herself.”
“I wish,” I said, appreciating her faith in me, and the distraction from my sadness. “Since this is the first retreat of its kind, once the two weeks are over, Greta will evaluate and decide if she’ll hold more retreats. I’d love to be the exclusive event planner for The Date Escape, of course. But I’ll just have to wait and see.” My heart slowed to a steadier beat. I was an independent woman. Well, almost. “May I ask what you do for a living?”
“I’m the general manager for the Blue Moon Bay Country Club.” She blushed slightly, and looked down at the flute in her hand. “We’ve been so focused on our personal lives here, it feels intrusive to talk about my career. Truthfully, the break has been refreshing. The demands of my job have overwhelmed me lately.”
“I can certainly relate to that,” I said, feeling a pang of jealousy. The retreat had been filled with disasters demanding immediate attention—not to mention creative fixes—but I’d take that over my boring job at The Market any day of the week.
Seeming to sense the change in my mood, Silvi said, “A main point of this retreat is for us to bond, right?” She smiled at me. “I don’t want to push you or anything, but I’d be more than happy to listen if you need an ear.”
Her kindness pushed through my insecurities and tears welled in my eyes. I swiped at them with the back of my hand. “You’re right. That was my mom who came by earlier. She and my dad are getting divorced, and they’ve both chosen this week to involve me in mediating their disagreements.”
“Oh, that seems awfully unfair. Come with me.” She looped her arm through mine, guiding me down the hall into the dining room. She lifted a mimosa from the side table and handed the flute to me. Then we both sank down into the chairs at the table. “My parents got divorced when I was in college, so I know exactly how being stuck in the middle feels. They waited until the week of finals to drive to campus separately and tell me about their decision to split up.”
I shook my head, taking a sip of the sweet, bubbly drink. “What is it with parents intruding in our lives at the worst possible time? Greta needs to write a book on that!”
“Exactly.” She laughed, pressing her hand to her chest. “My dad actually showed up in my class. The professor asked my dad to take his personal problems outside the classroom or he’d fail me for cheating. Not like my dad was bringing me the answers, but the scene humiliated me.”
“Parents.” My tone assured her that one word said it all. I sagged against the table, realizing how good my nerves felt releasing this pent up stress over my parents with a friend. “You know what’s sad?” I took another sip of mimosa. “My dad wants my mom to come back to him. He’s willing to do anything, too. He even hired a singing telegram to belt out their wedding song.”
“He didn’t.” She laughed, finishing off her drink. “May I ask which song?”
“Greased Lighting.” I gave her an “oh, I’m serious” look, and we both burst out laughing. “They met when he found her on the side of the road with a flat tire,” I said, sighing at the ironic romance of it all. The gesture reminded me of the tire changing activity, and how nice having Brody by my side felt.
“May I give you some advice?” She raised her brows, then lowered them once I’d nodded. “Ask your parents to deal with their problems themselves. They can’t keep dragging you in the middle. Turn off your phone. Screen your calls. Hide if they come to the door.” She stood up to retrieve two fresh mimosas for us. “In all seriousness, it’s hard to watch your parents split up. If you need a friendly ear, I’m here for you.”
“Thanks,” I said, appreciatively. Silvi’s advice was solid, but I also knew hiding wouldn’t work with my parents. They’d just barge in and find me. But, knowing I had a friend who understood helped. I figured I’d be taking Silvi up on her offer in the near future.
“So, not to change the subject or anything, but is Greta okay? I haven’t seen her since last night when, you know, and I’ve been worried about her.”
Inwardly, I groaned. The only way to help Greta would be to talk to Brody and find out about his conversation with Scotty. At this point, I wasn’t sure how I’d accomplish that when I certainly wasn’t speaking to Brody.
“I’m giving her time to grieve,” I said, simply. They say time heals all wounds but I couldn’t imagine anything getting rid of the ache in my chest from Brody’s betrayal. “We’ve also been plying her with mint chocolate chip ice cream and back-to-back chick flicks. Figured it couldn’t hurt,” I said, smiling.
She chuckled. “Honestly, I’ve been impressed with the way you’ve handled the retreat even with Greta out of the loop. Must be stressful, but you’ve maintained your professionalism throughout.”
“Thanks,” I said, feeling a swell of pleasure. Before this conversation, I hadn’t spoken to Silvi beyond vague pleasantries, and I was thrilled she had such positive feedback for me. Even if Greta didn’t hire me to take on more retreats, my time was still well spent getting to know these wonderful women. Now I had back-up buddies galore!
“Listen, Olivia, if you need to talk, I’m here for you. Don’t forget that. Right now, though, I’m going to do a bit more journaling before lunch,” she said, leaning over for a hug.
“Of course,” I said, squeezing her back. “Have a good time, and thanks again for the talk.”
As Silvi walked away, I took a deep breath, feeling strength in that all the women on this retreat were behind me. Silvi was an intelligent, professional woman, and her compliments meant the world to me. Just as my confidence rose, the image of Taylor and Brody appeared in my head again, and my feelings came crashing down around me.
To top it all off, I’d already invited our neighbors to the group activity tomorrow. Would Brody show up? Even worse, would he bring Taylor? With a groan, I dropped my forehead to the table thinking I’d need the support of friends now more than ever.
Chapter Twenty-two
The next morning I awoke, determined to make our next event, aptly called The Bait Buster, go well despite the fact I’d only had two hours of sleep. There would be three competitions throughout the event, and each woman would be paired with one of the firefighters. The idea was to resist temptation by treating their male partner just like any female friend. Although a female friend who never be so cruel as to kiss her ex behind your back. But, whatever.
We gathered on the beach after breakfast. The women seemed to be in good spirits as we waited for our neighbors. I was so not looking forward to seeing Brody. He hadn’t called or texted to apologize for making me like him and then lying to me, so I could only hope he didn’t have the nerve to show up.
“Gather around, ladies,” I said, clapping my hands together several times. “Greta is going to explain the rules of the games before the guys join us, so pay attention.”
Greta had finally taken her own advice and had gotten dressed
that morning. She wore white linen pants, an eggplant purple top, and her dark bob looked sleek against her chin. She’d even applied makeup, which hid the puffiness of her eyes. She looked like a celebrity again. How she felt on the inside was another matter entirely. But I was thrilled she was joining us.
“Good morning, ladies.” Greta used her trademark sing-song voice as she stepped forward with her chin raised. “The three activities will put you in close contact with your partner, but under no circumstances may you flirt. If I catch you batting one little eye-lash, you lose that round. The woman who makes it through all three competitions with her partner will win a gift certificate for a weekend getaway for two at the Inn at Blue Moon Bay Inn. How you use that gift certificate is up to you,” she said, winking.
The ladies chuckled and the corners of my mouth curved upward. My mentor was back!
“I’ll partner you randomly. Best of luck, ladies.” She swung her arm toward the neighboring steps in a grand gesture, to where the men were coming toward us.
My stomach knotted as my gaze zeroed in on Brody. Then a traitorous zing zipped through me. His golden hair was brushed back, and he wore a white, short-sleeved button-up shirt that showed over his tanned muscles to perfection. Gulp. When I saw that Taylor was coming across the lawn as well, my mouth dropped open. How incredibly rude of Brody to bring her along with him. Did he want to shove their rekindled romance in my face? Well, I refused to give him the satisfaction of looking like I cared. Harumph.
I turned to look for Charlie—aka: my best back-up buddy—who stood nearby, giving me an unreadable look. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Brody walk straight up to Greta. What the . . .? They spoke for a few moments, then Greta’s gaze darted to mine and held. My stomach tightened and anger flared. How dare he try to ruin my retreat by interfering with Greta?
“Let’s get started with the first Bait Buster competition,” Greta cheered. I could hear the confidence in her voice, which was the point of the entire retreat. But, she’d been miserable since the night she’d seen Scotty Mitchell. How was she over him now? I so needed in on her secret. “Olivia, darling?” She smiled at me, crooking her finger. “You’re paired with Brody.”
A strange buzzing filled my ears. I didn’t hear anything else she said, but I edged toward Charlie, who was talking with Wyatt, as Brody strode toward me. His handsome face was set in a hard stare that made him look smoking hot. My resolve to loathe him shook, and I had the strong urge to throw my arms around him.
I buried my feet in the sand. Not in a million years would I act on that feeling. All I’d do was show him he didn’t affect me, and his choice to get back together with Taylor had no bearing on me whatsoever.
“Hi, Olivia,” he said, peering at me with a gaze so intense I could physically feel the heat between us. He touched my arm, but I eased my arm behind my back hoping the other women didn’t pick up on my discomfort. “We need to talk,” he said.
“I’m working,” I said, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. I had nothing to say to him. Well, nothing that would be nice, anyway. Or that I’d want the other women to overhear. “Why don’t you partner with Taylor? Greta wasn’t aware, but I’d already chosen Wyatt as my partner.” I stepped toward Wyatt and laced my arm though his, ignoring the odd look from Charlie. “Good luck in the competition. But we’re going to crush you guys.”
Brody’s eyes narrowed and his gaze turned to Wyatt, who, in truth, seemed a little nervous to be standing with me. I loosened my grip on his arm. Oops.
“Fine, my partner’s Charlie.” He moved next to her and gave her a smile, then she turned to me and shrugged. “Taylor can partner with Mark.”
“You going to leave Taylor cold?” I asked.
Greta stared at us, and even the roaring sea seemed to pause awaiting what would happen next. Bu, I could’ve sworn I saw the corners of Greta’s mouth twitching. “Everyone have a partner now?” She looped a gold chain around her neck, which had a pink whistle attached. “The first compeition will be a three-legged race.”
Brody came close then leaned toward my ear. “We need to talk about my lunch with Scotty.”
“No, thanks,” I said, turning my back to him as Janine handed us each pieces of material to tie our legs together. I scooted toward Wyatt. “We can totally win this competition. You’re obviously super strong.” I squeezed his bicep, and Charlie gave me a bemused smile as Wyatt’s eyes widened before he bent to tie our legs together.
Brody scowled and, for a moment I felt a flicker of guilt. Then, the image of Taylor kissing him entered my brain. Speaking of the backstabber, she sidled up to Brody and tapped on his arm. Right in front of me!
Meanwhile, Wyatt leaned toward Charlie and winked at her. I was pleased to see her flushed reaction. Maybe she’d change her mind about dating him. After I was done showering him with compliments to show Brody I didn’t care what he and Ms. Blonde Bikini did.
“On your marks, everyone,” Greta yelled, with her hands cupping either side of her mouth like a bullhorn. “Get set, and go!” she shouted, then blew her pink whistle.
I glanced over at Brody at the same moment Wyatt took off running. The movement propelled me forward, but caught me off guard. I stumbled after him, and pitched forward. “Whoa there,” Wyatt said, as he caught me. I grabbed onto his arm.
“Thank you for saving me, strong man,” I said, wanting to roll my eyes at how lame that sounded. Brody glanced back at me, and his movement caused Charlie to stumble, and they ended up in a pile on the ground. I felt a flash of envy as they both dissolved into laughter.
The race ended so fast, Wyatt and I didn’t even get the chance to jump back in the game. Brody was helping Charlie up when Mark and Taylor jogged back over with huge smiles on their faces.
“We won,” Taylor squealed, striking a pose that made her look like a game show model.
“Congratulations,” Wyatt said, then his gaze moved to Charlie and his mouth curved up. “Looks like we’re in for some serious competition,” he joked.
I sighed, wanting to remind him I was his partner. Not Charlie. He could have her after the competition. Was that really asking for so much?
As we all untied our legs, Brody leaned close again. “Why didn’t you meet me last night?” His blue-eyed gaze pierced through me, and my chest simmered. “We had plans. I told you it was important. I thought you’d be there for me,” he said, in a hurt tone.
“You know what? I actually regretted choosing work over meeting you, until I saw you making plans with Taylor on the beach yesterday with your lips,” I snapped.
He flinched, and his jaw muscle twitched. “You seem to think you have me all figured out, so I won’t bother explaining. You asked me for a favor, though. Unlike you, I keep my word. If you’d like to know about my lunch with Scotty, just ask. If you’re still interested,” he said.
“Do you think you can beat me, Brody?” Taylor interrupted, putting on a pretty pout.
“Come on,” I said to Wyatt. “Let’s leave them alone and get the next event.”
We ambled over to where Greta stood with a pile of spoons and a basket of eggs. “Egg races next!” Greta said, in her sing-song voice. Her face glowed, and she really seemed to be enjoying herself. Maybe a sugar effect from all that mint ice-cream? She waved a spoon in the air. “Pass the egg to your partner using the spoon. The only catch is you hold the spoon in your mouth by its handle. The first group to move three eggs from one basket to the other without breaking them wins. Ready, set, go!” she shouted, then blew her pink whistle.
I tried to focus on Wyatt, but as I bit down on the spoon handle—which had a terrible mettalic taste, yuck!—my gaze drifted to Brody, which inadvertently turned my head. The egg Wyatt had passed to me dropped fast, landing in the basket with a splat. Oops. The second did the same. I almost got the third, but I was so focused on Charlie and Brody getting so close that I dropped that egg too, but this one landed on my foot. The yolk oozed through my sandal and in between my toes.
So gross.
Groaning, I turned to Wyatt. “I’m sorry for blowing that competition for us. I’ll be right back. Just going to clean off my foot.”
As I walked over to the picnic table on the patio, the egg squished between my toes with a gross, smily feeling. I was dumping the yellow goo out my shoe when Brody appeared beside me. “Charlie and I won,” he said with a grin. “Sorry, because I know how competitive you can be. Maybe you’ll win this next one, but I doubt it,” he said, offering a smile.
I gave him a sickly sweet smile. “Well, if this were a kissing contest, I’ll bet you and Taylor would win first place,” I said, then walked away. My stomach roiled from arguing with him, but he was the one who had ruined everything, not me. So I tried to ease the guilt of my snotiness.
As I climbed into the oversized potato sack with Wyatt for the last event, I tried not to pay attention to Brody wrapping his arms around Charlie. Even though I knew she was totally into Wyatt, I couldn’t help but feel jealous. Despite everything, I still wanted Brody’s arms wrapped around me. At least I didn’t have to watch him with Taylor.
“Ready, set, go!” Greta blew her whistle.
We jumped forward. Even though I was determined to win this time and make Brody eat his words, Wyatt and I couldn’t get a rhythm down. We stumbled repeatedly. Amy and Pete passed us, but Brody and Chalrie ended up winning by a small margin. They were still celebrating when Greta let out a strangled cry.
“What are you doing here?” Greta’s voice had risen several octaves higher than I thought was possible, and she stood gaping with her mouth opened.
We all turned in the direction where she was looking. My heart sank as I saw Scotty crossing the sand. My gaze snapped to Brody’s. “What’s he doing here?” I demanded.
“I tried to tell you,” he said, shrugging. “But you refused to listen to me.
I watched in horror as Scotty marched toward Greta, wearing a determined look on his face. I should’ve run over and stopped him but my feet were rooted in place. I’d just gotten my boss back to normal, and seeing him would detroy her again. It seemed only fitting when Taylor moved to stand next to Brody, as my dreams of becoming the premiere event planner in Blue Moon bay went down in flames, along with any hope about Brody and me.