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“Or maybe I’m just mistaking basic human decency for interest.” I select a flowery dress that falls just above my knees. “I don’t know, Sav. I’ve been out of the game for a while and…. I don’t trust myself.”
“But you trust me, right?”
I set Savannah on speaker and pull the dress on. “Yes, but you know why I can’t pursue anything with him. It would just complicate my stay here. And I’ve still got a little over three weeks left.”
“I say, enjoy those three plus weeks and see where they take you,” Savannah offers, suggestively. “Come on, D. Live a little. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“I humiliate myself or I make a fool of myself in front of the rest of the guests.”
“They’ll get over it. And they’ll move on to the next piece of gossip,” Savannah replies, pausing to slurp on her drink. “Come on. I want to live vicariously through you. Don’t deny me that.”
“Read a romance like a normal person,” I suggest, before settling on a pair of sandals. After putting them on, I examine myself in the full-length mirror and twist to and fro. “Or watch those period movies that you like.”
“But I can just picture the two of you sneaking out to meet each other underneath the moon light and trying to hide your love affair from the rest of the guests—”
“I’m hanging up now.”
Savannah laughs. “Okay, fine, fine. I’ll stop. Just promise me you’ll keep an open mind, okay?”
Without responding, I hang up and toss my phone onto the bed.
A few minutes later, I’m still giving myself a pep talk as I step out of my cabin and into the balmy night air.
The sky is lit up in bright lights, a kaleidoscope of purples and pinks that make me pause on the last step.
Smiling, my feet hit the ground, and I join the throngs of people heading towards the clearing further away from the cabins.
Conversation rises and falls around me as I concentrate on my steps.
The trees give way to a large clearing and the red and orange flames of the campfire.
A few instructors are standing around the fire, conversing amongst themselves including Maureen and Pablo, the horse trainer. When they see us, they smile and wave.
Awkwardly, I trail after the group, my eyes searching the semi-darkness, hoping against hope that Adrian is going to be there.
I know it’s stupid. And I know I shouldn’t be looking for him.
Especially because I know that as the freaking owner of the ranch, he’s got better things to do.
He’s definitely got better things to do than sit around a campfire, roast marshmallows, and tell stories. Come on, Danielle. What did you expect?
After I’m handed a cup of iced tea, I make small talk with some of the other guests. A few of them are doctors, one is a nurse, and the other is a lifestyle coach.
All of them are here based on recommendations, and they all seem to get along.
I feel like the odd one out, but they try and make me feel welcome.
It’s not their fault that I’m only half listening.
As I stand underneath the pale light of the moon, feigning interest in their stories, I can’t help but glance around the clearing, looking for that familiar face.
Amazingly, Adrian emerges from the woods. I stand up straighter and smile at him. I feel such relief seeing him walk toward the fire.
I realize I’m holding my breath waiting for him to come so I can breathe again.
Adrian offers everyone a smile and a wave, and his eyes linger on me.
Neither of us looks away until he walks up and draws the rest of the staff into a conversation.
