Chapter 26
26
RUBY
I push open the door to the bungalow I’m sharing with Chuck, only to find the room is empty.
Chuck's gone.
For a moment, I stand there, unsure what to do. Then my growling stomach makes the decision for me. Breakfast. I'll get some food, clear my head, and then figure out how to talk to Chuck.
I make my way to the dining room, the smell of coffee and freshly baked pastries filling the air. As I round the corner, I spot a familiar head of tousled hair, half in a man-bun, half down. Chuck.
Relief floods me for a split second before I register the scene before me. Chuck’s at a table, but he's not alone. Far from it. He's surrounded by a group of women, all leaning in close, laughing at something he's said. Pretty sure two of them are from the library.
My relief curdles into something ugly and painful.
So it was true.
I watch, rooted to the spot, as one of the women – the one who had so graphically described her plans for Chuck – leans in closer, her hand on his arm. He doesn't pull away. He's smiling, that charming grin I thought was just for me.
Humiliation washes over me in a hot wave. How could I have been so stupid? Of course none of this means anything to him. I was just a convenient warm body, someone to pass the time with until a better offer came along.
Before anyone can spot me, I turn on my heel and flee. I need to get out of here. Now.
I make a beeline for the front desk, blinking back tears. A cheerful clerk greets me with a bright smile.
"Good morning, Ms. Brooks! How can I help you today?"
"I need to leave," I say, my voice shaky. "As soon as possible. Are there any shuttles to the airport today?"
Her smile falters slightly. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Is everything okay?"
No, everything is not okay. But I'm not about to pour my heart out total to a stranger. I force a smile. "I just... I need to go home."
She taps away at her computer, looking for options, and a thought occurs to me. In all the chaos and... distractions... of the past few days, I never actually found out what this retreat is called.
"Um, Miss?" I say, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "This might sound strange, but... what exactly is this week’s retreat? Like, what's its... name?"
She opens her mouth to answer, but before she can, a deep, accented voice cuts in.
"Ah, the eternal question, my dear. What is the focus of life itself, if not the pursuit of pleasure and connection?"
I turn to see a man approaching, one I’ve seen from a distance over the several days I’ve been here. His smile is wide and gleaming. He's tall, tanned, with salt-and-pepper hair styled in a way that screams 'I'm trying too hard to look effortless.' His shirt is unbuttoned low enough to reveal a carpet of chest hair and what looks like at least three gold chains.
Cheese city.
"I'm Hans," he says, extending a hand. "The retreat leader. And you must be Ruby. I've heard so much about you."
I shake his hand, uncomfortable. "Nice to meet you. I was just asking about?—”
"The nature of our little paradise here?" he interrupts, his voice smooth as silk. "My dear, this Pura Vida retreat is a journey of sensual discovery. We believe that true enlightenment comes through embracing all aspects of our desires, free from judgment or shame."
Alrighty then. You do you, Hans.
He must see the skepticism in my eyes because he quickly adds, "But of course, sensuality is a personal journey. There's no wrong way to go about it. You shouldn't feel pressured to participate in anything that makes you uncomfortable. The partner swapping, for instance—it's not for everyone."
Partner swapping, right. That’s what those women were talking about in the library, and probably planning over their delightful little breakfast.
"I hear that, Hans,” I say with a smile.
I’m sure he thinks I’m the biggest square he’s ever seen. And I don’t care. He’s smarmy and creepy.
He places a hand on my shoulder, making my skin crawl. "My dear, you seem tense. Perhaps what you need is to reconnect with your body, to let go of these inhibitions holding you back."
"I have just the thing," he continues. "I'm leading a dance class this afternoon. A tantalizing fusion of sensual movement and expression. Why don't you join me? I'd be honored to have you as my partner."
The thought of pressing my body against Hans's chest rug snaps me out of my daze. "Oh, no thanks. I’m actually trying to leave early. And I’m a horrible dancer, anyway.”
"Nonsense!" Hans exclaims. "Everyone can dance. It's about feeling the rhythm, letting your body speak its truth. Come, I insist."
Before I know what's happening, Hans has my arm tucked into his and is leading me away from the front desk. I look back desperately at the clerk, but she just gives me a thumbs up and a wink.
As we walk, Hans chatters away about the transformative power of dance, the beauty of uninhibited movement, and something about chakras that I'm pretty sure he's making up. I'm only half-listening, my mind still reeling from everything that's happened this morning.
We approach a building I haven't seen before, the sound of rhythmic music pulsing from within. A sign reads ‘Sensual Salsa: Ignite Your Passion.’
Hans reaches for the door handle, but I suddenly can't take it anymore. The thought of going in there, of trying to 'ignite my passion' with this stranger while Chuck is off igniting who knows what with those women... it's too much.
"Sorry, Hans" I blurt out, pulling my arm free. "I forgot I have a... a thing. An important thing."
Hans looks disappointed, but not surprised. "Ah, I understand. The first step is often the hardest. But when you're ready to embrace your sensual self, you know where to find me."
He winks—actually winks—and disappears into the dance studio, leaving me alone.
Oh Chuck... God, Chuck. How could I have been so wrong about him? I thought we had something real, something special. But clearly, I was just another conquest, a way to pass the time until something more exciting came along.
I am getting out of here. For real this time. No more second chances, no more letting myself be swayed by charming smiles and sweet words.
I straighten up, squaring my shoulders. Okay, Ruby. New plan. Go back to the bungalow, pack your things, and get on the first shuttle out of here. Don't look back, don't second-guess yourself. Just go.
As I start walking, I try to ignore the little voice in the back of my mind asking if I'm making a mistake. The voice that wonders if maybe, just maybe, there's more to this situation than meets the eye.
But I push that voice aside. I've been naive enough for one vacation. It's time to go home, back to my safe, predictable life where the only surprises I have to deal with are overdue library books.
And if my heart aches a little at the thought of leaving Chuck behind... well, that's just something I'll have to get over.