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Carmen spoke before Lola had a chance to bark at this woman and scare her off. She wasn’t expecting the welcome and wanted to make the most of it.
“Thank you. We heard so much about this place.” She made her voice soft and unassuming, leaning in to the fact that she looked young without makeup on or a suit.
Serenity smiled. “Our month-long marriage counseling retreat is world renown. I’d be happy to help you explore whether Enlightened Mother’s teachings speak to your soul.”
Like she’d developedSpidey-Sensesin a blink, Carmen heard Lola open her mouth. She couldn’t let her correct Serenity. Her assumption that they were there for a tour was extremely fortuitous.
Deciding the quickest way to shut Lola’s mouth was to shock her, Carmen reached out and took her hand. “We’re so happy to be here,” she said smoothly. “My partner and I have been going through a... rough patch. We hoped your retreat could help us reconnect.”
She glanced at Lola, who looked like she’d seen a ghost. Her fingers were stiff between hers, but she didn’t pull away. Frozen in horror was working in their favor.
Serenity floated toward them, her hands pressed to her chest. “I understand completely. The currents of discord run deep between you, yet the soul flames still burn.” She nodded sagely. “Our tantric marriage retreat can guide you back into harmony.”
“That sounds like exactly what we’re looking for. Right, babe?” Carmen squeezed her hand, hoping Lola’s spirit would return to her body before Serenity noticed things were off.
“The journey is not always easy.” Serenity smiled softly at Lola. “But you are safe here, sister.”
Carmen squeezed her hand hard enough to snap a finger bone.
Finally understanding that this was their chance, Lola cleared her throat. “I’m not good with emotions,” she said stiffly and believably.
Serenity furrowed her brow, her gaze dripping with sympathy. She lifted her hand, palm hovering over Lola’s forehead. “You feel so deeply, don’t you?” She took a deep breath, her eyes closing like she was receiving a message from the heavens. “Don’t be afraid of the current. With the right direction, the raw force of the river can turn from destructive to an incredible source of power.”
Serenity turned on her heels and started toward the lodge. Carmen followed, dragging along Lola, who was determined to continue being weird.
The lodge was warm, the welcoming scent of incense and spices greeting them along with colorful tapestries on the wooden walls. There were plenty of places to sit- pillows, chairs, couches- but not a single person in sight.
Carmen drifted toward a wall of framed photos. Autographed pictures of various celebrities and public figures posing with Fortune. Many in this very room. “Is this the Enlightened Mother?”
Serenity smiled before showing them to a sitting room behind a closed door. It was a small, tight space with nothing but a loveseat and a chair. There didn’t seem to be any need to move into the tiny room, but Carmen rolled with it.
“This is a very special place,” Serenity said, sitting in the chair after Lola and Carmen were crammed together across from her. “But its secrets are only revealed to its members.”
“So, what? Would we have to be living here before we know what you’re doing?” Lola asked, slipping out of Carmen’s hand.
“Healing happens in many forms here.” Serenity folded her hands in her lap. “The tantric marriage retreat does require intense work and it is best if you stay with us for the duration. It can be difficult to leave our ordinary lives, but that change is critical to the kind of work that’s needed to put a relationship of the heart back on track.”
Next to her, Lola stiffened. Even pretending to be with her was making her want to crawl out of her skin.
“And what does something like that cost?” Lola asked.
“The better question is, what is your marriage worth?” Serenity replied, voice soft and full of concern. “Can you put a price on happiness?”
“Maybe if we could see what the experience would entail?” Carmen smiled. “Get a look at everything you have to offer here?”
“Our home is sacred. I’m sure you understand that. It’s a safe place open to our members.” She tipped her head to the side. “If you’d like to leave a deposit. We accept checks or credit cards.”
Carmen and Lola shared a look. To get more information, Carmen would be willing to pay, but she didn’t want to risk Fortune finding out they’d been there.
“Maybe you could tell us more about Enlightened Mother?” Lola leaned forward. “Did you say she was here?”
“Not at the moment,” Serenity replied. “She has selected a handful of us as her guides and imparted her lessons to us. I promise you would have the same experience whether it’s her or—”
“So she doesn’t live here?” Lola asked, knowing the answer.
Carmen wished they were still holding hands so she could dig her nails into her to get her to stop. Lola was playing the moment all wrong, being too aggressive.
“No, she does not live here.” Serenity’s reply was stiffer than her last.
