My phone buzzed with a text. I jumped at the sight of Devlin’s name popping up. It was still so weird to get messages from him. A tiny frission of something happened in my body.
“Lunch is ready.”
I blew out a long breath through pursed lips and tossed the phone to the side. I wasn’t ready to see him. But I was super hungry. My stomach grumbled and I acquiesced. I dramatically rolled off the window seat and shuffled to the door. If nothing else, eating always helped motivate me.
I kept my ears perked for sounds from Devlin as I made my way down to the dining room table. My jaw dropped. Heavy wooden blocks were stacked high with several types of olives. Hard and soft cheeses with waxed edges had been laid next to fat, dark purple grapes and little green ones. Almonds, cashews, and Brazil nuts piled in small mounds were tucked between decadent chunks of dark chocolate topped with flecks of sea salt. Slices of fatty hard salami and prosciutto were splayed next to whole grain round crackers. It was a Caravaggio painting come to life with rich colors, abundant textures, and enticing smells. My eyes could hardly register all the treats spread before me.
My stomach growled loudly in approval.
Next to a stack of plates were three silver buckets of ice with bottles in them at the end of the table, along with toothpicks and napkins. I was happy to find a sparkling cider that I could drink. The rosé I would avoid. Geez Louise, how many people were joining us?
My phone buzzed again. Devlin. What did it mean that a little spike of something flooded me when I saw his name?
“I have work and won’t be able to join you.”
Yes, I had just been distressed at the idea of seeing him again, but truth be told, his message evoked a small pang of disappointment. I was alone a lot. My parents were so close and their love for each other so strong that I had always felt like a third wheel. Well, at least I was excellent company.
I still had the phone clutched to my chest when it vibrated again.
“Enjoy.” The follow up text said.
“Thank you. The food looks amazing,” I sent.
The message showed as read but a second later my phone was forgotten.
“Hello? Hope it’s okay we just let ourselves in—Holy cannoli!”
I spun around at the exclamation to see Gretchen LaRoe, looking as fabulous as ever, standing in the doorway. She nodded with approval at the food piled high behind me as she shrugged out of a floral print raincoat and hung it up on a hook.
“Gretchen?” I ran to meet her at the door, tears almost immediately filling my eyes. I didn’t even realize how badly I’d wanted company until she’d arrived. I squeezed her so hard she wheezed.
“Okay, okay. Girl, I need to breathe.”
I loosened my grip but I didn’t let go. “What are you doing here?” I looked up to her face, situated above her ample cleavage. My chin quivered, giving me away. Her cat-eye black liner was perfect, and her flaming red hair was styled in its typical boho-retro chic. Whereas I looked I’d jumped out of bed to wrangle a rooster—and lost.
“We heard there was a last-minute move of the SWS meeting.” Her smile melted as her gaze moved over my face. “Are you crying?”
I shook my head. “We?” Hope filled my chest and I let her go.
On cue, Suzie Samuels, Blithe Tanner, and Roxy Kincaid filed into the room wearing bewildered looks.
I ran to each of them and squeezed them until their backs popped. Even Suzie, who was the newest member of the SWS and who I had only met one other time. I didn’t care. I needed all the hugs today. Each hug was welcomed warmly. When I was finally done, I wiped my eyes with a sniffle. I was a sap; I owned it.
“Here.” Gretchen pushed a duffle bag into my arms.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“Provisions,” she explained. “We thought maybe you were in danger, but I see we were way off base.”
Suzie’s dark hair was styled in a sleek bob with the left side shaved close to her head. Her eyes were wide as she took in the massive living room with floor-to-ceiling windows. “This place …”
Suzie’s mouth hung open, her head swiveling to take in the room. With the massive windows and trendy—and no doubt expensive—interior design, this was no average home, to be sure.
“When you hear ‘cabin in the woods’ you think chainsaw-wielding serial killers and half-naked teenagers. This is …” Suzie trailed off.
“Unreal,” Blithe finished for her. Her long, pale, blonde hair fell straight down her back. She stared at the ceiling before shaking her head and turning to the buffet. She squeaked in excitement when she found the rosé and began opening it.
“This place is insane. I equally want to rescue you and knock you out to take your place.” Gretchen moved toward the table of food and we all followed. “I could totally learn the violin.”
