“Hey, my cushion!” Ellie cried, but I pulled her forward before she could get it back.
“Do you normally carry those around with you after sex?” I asked, leading her out onto the main deck. The others were already seated, with Lovejoy at the head of the table.
“Only if it was really, really good,” Ellie whispered, then frowned. “You should be thanking me. It was a genius plan, and that cushion would’ve done wonders for your reputation in the bedroom.”
“I don’t need any help in that department.”
Ellie’s face immediately turned a fascinating shade of pink.
“Well, good for you, then,” she mumbled just as we reached the table, and I coughed into my fist to cover a laugh.
“Cade and Ellie, perfect timing.” Lovejoy swept her arms in welcome as we took our seats, her many bracelets clinking. “We’re just beginning our group reflection about last night’s events.”
My jaw tensed. Great.
“Good morning, everyone.” Ellie beamed around the table, before zoning in on a platter of pastries. She quickly loaded two chocolate croissants onto her plate and seemed to seriously consider adding a third.
“Yes, yes, grab some sustenance,” Lovejoy encouraged us. “While they get settled, let’s begin. Madison, would you like to fill us in on your and Harrison’s evening?”
“Is this really necessary?” My brother laughed from across the table, while a crewmember set a mug of coffee in front of me and orange juice next to Ellie’s small croissant tower. “We don’t need to hear about this stuff.”
“There’s no shame in discussing carnal pleasure,” Lovejoy said patiently, unfolding a napkin on her lap. “Many of us were raised to feel embarrassed or insecure about our sexuality, but one of our goals this week is to push past that discomfort. There’s nothing more freeing than being open and honest about all aspects of your relationship. We’re here to dig deep.”
Harrison scrunched his nose. “Sure, but can’t we do this in private? Not with a whole table of people listening. Including my brother.”
I fully agreed with him.
That serene smile returned, and it wasn’t the first time I wondered what combination of drugs Lovejoy was on. “This retreat is about letting go, Harrison. I understand your reservations, and yes, we can switch to private sessions if that’s your preference. But if you’d like to try—justtry—embracing group therapy first, you may find it liberating. This is a judgement-free zone.”
“Please, Harrison?” Madison coaxed, gently squeezing his arm. “Give it a try for me?”
Harrison stared at her, then blew out a long breath. “What do you want to know?”
Lovejoy’s smile widened. “Let’s start with a little game. How about sharing three words that best describe last night for you?”
This was, by far, the strangest “game” I’d ever heard of.
I drank my coffee and tuned out their answer, because my brother’s sex life was the last thing I wanted to hear about. Their three words must’ve been descriptive, though, because Ellie’s cheeks glowed pink.
Her blush reminded me what position the die had landed on between us in bed last night, right before she’d turned redder than a tomato and hidden the evidence.
That’d taken a long time to stop thinking about before I could fall asleep.
I grabbed some food during Harrison’s turn, then Candace went next with her three words. “Let’s see. I’ll say… Shower. Table. Balcony.”
Lovejoy nodded along. “While those provide interesting visuals, how about some adjectives to help describe how you felt?”
“Well, it was hot.” She thought about it for a moment, then smirked. “And thanks to that pamphlet you gave us, I give the nightthreethumbs up.”
She added a wink on the word “three,” pulling immediate interest from the other women—Ellie’s breath even hitched—while Fletcher stretched back in his seat with a grin.
“Hold your applause, ladies,” he said, humble as ever. “I do what I can.”
I fought back an eye roll. He’d always been a piece of work.
“That’s high praise, Candace,” Lovejoy said, as if she weren’t commenting on another woman’s orgasms. “Thank you for sharing with us.”
The fake doctor turned to me and Ellie next, brows lifted expectantly.
