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Once they were outside, away from other students and Ms. Ethel, Selena smiled again. “How much time can you take off from classes and work?”
“I don’t know,” Lottie groaned. “What’s this about.”
“Crimson Moon Hideaway.”
“I don’t need a spa weekend.”
“What you need is a kick in the ass, but this is the next best thing! There’s a retreat starting in two days. There’s a fee but you stay at the resort for thirty days, use all the amenities, go on hikes, swim…”
“What’s the catch?” Lottie scrunched up her face.
“Well, there’s not really a ‘catch.’ You do have to share a room.”
“What is the purpose of the retreat, Selena? Must be bad since you’re avoiding it.”
Selena’s smile brightened if possible. “It’s a sober retreat.”
Lottie turned back toward the library leaving Selena standing with her mouth open. Lottie was hardheaded but she wasn’t usually rude. She watched as Lottie pulled open the door, disappearing out of sight.
“That went over just as I expected,” Selena said aloud to no one. She walked back over to the library, peaking through the glass again. Lottie was nowhere in sight. She shrugged, walking back across campus. She’d get Alex, Mae, and the others involved. If the group couldn’t convince her, she wouldn’t be convinced.
###
Frowning, Lottie rolled the paper napkin between her fingers. Her friends had ambushed her. Janie had invited her to dinner that evening after Selena’s offer. Just as their server had taken their drink orders the rest of their group had come strolling in. It felt like an intervention.
“This feels like an intervention,” she whined.
“It is,” snapped Selena. “You’ve been moping around here for over a week, grumbling at everyone, ignoring your classes. I haven’t seen you with a book since before you met Nova.”
“You all know I’ve been through all of these classes before.”
“That’s not the point!” Willa yelled, her deep voice sounding menacing.
Mae shot a look at Willa, then turned to Lottie laying her hand on Lottie’s arm. “Lots, hun. We just hate to see you this miserable. We’ve been friends a long time.” She gestured around the table. “None of us have ever seen you this heartbroken.”
“For the love of Hecate! I’m not heartbroken. That’s ridiculous. I don’t even have a beating heart! I barely know Nova.”
Selena stood up. “You know exactly what we’re talking about! You’re being a jerk but it’s fine. If you don’t want our help, we’re done then! Come on. Let’s leave Lottie to wallow in her own self misery.”
Lottie sighed, gritting her teeth. “Wait. I’m sorry, okay? I don’t really know how I feel. This is all new to me.”
Sitting back down at the table, Selena turned to stare at Lottie. “Go to the retreat. This isn’t your only life. Get sober…even for a few months. See if you and this person are supposed to be in each other’s lives.”
“What can it hurt?” Alex asked as Willa nodded next to her.
“I’ll be there every day. If you find out it’s not for you or Nova isn’t as important as you think then you leave. No harm, no foul.”
Lottie twirled a strand of her deep brown hair around her finger, her only nervous tick from her old life.
“Fine,” she finally agreed. “How do I sign up?”
Grinning, Selena handed her a key card. “We’ve already signed you up. You’re in room 319 with a Fae from Kentucky. He’s adorable. Be there tomorrow afternoon by 2:00 PM. It’s going to be great.”
“I guess I need to go talk to Ms. Ethel and email my teachers.” Lottie grabbed her phone and stood up.
“All already done. You should have links in your email from professors for the assignments due while you’re gone.” Selena winked.
“I guess all I need to do is pack…unless you’ve done that as well?”
