Chapter 21
Vanessa
“What the hell was that?” I ask Lisa as soon as she closes the door to our cottage.
“What was what?”
“All of it,” I say, waving my hands in frustration. “The suggestion that I room with Jason. That argument with Denise. From top to bottom, that was awkward.”
“I don’t know,” she says, looking at me with her doe eyes. “I was trying to help. Figured it couldn’t hurt if you two stayed together and you did something ridiculous.”
“Staying in the same room together would complicate things, though. And I don’t want either of us to be uncomfortable.”
She tilts her head and seems to ponder this for a moment. “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s fine. More importantly, are you okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” she asks, drawing back.
“That whole exchange with Denise was intense. And I know you don’t like confrontation, so to see you go at her like that caught me off guard.”
“It’s just Denise,” she says as she inspects the room. “That woman is all bluster. A shit talker on steroids. I just didn’t want her to think she could run all over me.”
“Clearly, she can’t. She brings out the fierceness in you like no one else. But Jason’s right: This is Cami and Bryan’s weekend. Try not to provoke her, and try to ignore her if she provokes you.”
“From now on, I’ll be an angel. Promise.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it.” After taking a deep, cleansing breath, I circle the room as I survey it. “Not bad. This must be costing them a fortune.”
“It isn’t. Bryan’s parents wanted to pay for something, and Cami’s parents finally relented and said they could pay for this.”
“Goodness. Must be nice to have disposable income like that.” I walk over to the bed closer to the window and claim it. “Dibs.”
“Fine with me. The serial killer will get you first.”
“Says the person closer to the door.”
Ignoring that remark, she hauls her travel bag onto a luggage rack, then sits in an oversized wingback chair in the corner of the room. I can feel her watching me as I inspect the linens for bedbugs.
“Something on your mind?” I ask, lifting the mattress.
“Always.”
“Care to share, then?”
“Funny you should say that. I was going to ask you the same thing.”
“Out with it, Lili. I don’t have enough coffee in my system to deal with your mind games this morning.”
She draws in a long breath, then exhales slowly. “Okay, I was hoping you’d just tell me, but I should know by now that’s not how you operate. What’s the deal with the guy who came by the store the other day? Is he an ex-boyfriend or something?”
“Something like that.”
Lisa jumps up and scowls at me. “Right. Nice talking to you, sis.”
She’s poised to close herself off in the bathroom, and I’m tempted to let her go, but I can’t very well expect Lisa to let me back into her life if I don’t let her back into mine—embarrassing mistakes and all. “Wait.”
She pauses, looking at me over her shoulder.
“His name’s David Warner, and he’s technically my boss. That may change once the new office is up and running, but for now he’s my superior.”
“And you dated him?” she asks, turning to face me.
“We slept together.”
“Is he the reason you’re back in New York?”
“Yeah, he arranged my relocation.”
She narrows her eyes. “Against your will.”
“I didn’t ask to be relocated, if that’s what you’re trying to get at.”
“And you didn’t object? Through official channels, I mean.”
I drop my chin and shake my head. “It’s better this way, Lili. Staying in Chicago under the circumstances would have been a nightmare. Now I get to be back home with all of you, and I won’t lose my seniority.”
She steps forward and takes my hand. “I’m not judging your choices. I’m just trying to understand what’s going on.”
“I appreciate that. I really, really do,” I say, my voice unsteady.
“So why’d he come by? Is he badgering you?”
“He wanted us to rekindle our relationship. I told him in no uncertain terms that was never going to happen.”
“Good,” she says. “And if he gives you any more trouble, please tell me. We can figure out what to do together, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Vanny…”
She tugs at her earlobe, which makes me nervous about whatever topic she’s about to broach.
“What, Lili? Don’t hold back on me now.”
“Are you sure this is what you want? To be in New York, I mean. With us?”
My heart constricts when I realize why she’s asking me these questions.
My God, I really hurt them all those years ago.
So much so that my own sister isn’t sure I want to be here.
I shouldn’t be surprised: I did a terrible thing, and then I abandoned them, sending money every month to assuage my guilt.
If I could erase the memory of that day in their minds and mine, I would in a heartbeat.
But I know I can’t. All I can do now is show them that I’m ready to call this place home and that they mean everything to me.
“I’m sure, Lili. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. ”
She pulls me into a tight embrace, enveloping me in her warmth, her soft curls tickling my cheek. After a long moment, we slowly separate, plopping down onto our respective beds at the same time. We each scoot forward enough so that our knees touch.
Desperately needing to change the heaviness of our conversation, my gaze settles on the spa-issued clothes resting on the dresser.
“What kind of outfits are those?” I ask, eyeing the plain white tank and white sweatpants neatly folded and tied together with a ribbon.
“Oh no. You know what this means: We’re going to do yoga. ”
“What’s wrong with that? It’s exactly the kind of thing I’d expect at a place like this.”
“You don’t mind getting into all those poses? I can’t imagine I’ll look cute twisting myself into a pretzel.”
She reaches over and taps my nose. “Good thing you’re not worrying about looking cute, right?”
“Right, of course,” I reply, not meeting her gaze. “In fact, the weirder I can make this, the better for our cause.”
“My thoughts exactly. So let’s change before Cami shows up and drags us out of here.”
“Ooh, maybe I’ll pretend to be gassy and rip a bunch of fake farts while I’m doing poses.”
“Please don’t. You might not be trying to impress him, but that might take me out of the running just by association.”
“Ugh, you’re no fun.”
“Whatever. I have a rep to protect.”
“Fine. I’ll come up with something.”
She gives me a sidelong glance. “You always do, sis. You always do.”
As far as I can tell, the Oasis is a clearing in the woods.
Which is fine. At its center is a huge square pit that appears to be filled with dirt.
Which is not fine. The staff at Mother Earth can try to sell this as a luxurious, all-natural cleansing bath, but it’s nothing more than a mud pit, and I have no intention of wading in it. “I’m going back to the room for a nap.”
Lisa spins me around and drags me behind her. “Oh no, you’re doing this with me. Remember what Mami used to say: ‘You girls need to stick together.’ ”
“She didn’t mean this.”
“It’s a catchall phrase. She meant everything.”
“Fine, but if I get a yeast infection, I’m sending you my doctor’s bill.”
“How about I give you a couple of my five-dollar Ulta gift cards instead?”
I’m ridiculously easy to please, and Lisa knows it. “Ooh, deal.”
We make our way to the front of the pit and join the others, all of whom are wearing the exact same outfits as we are.
I sneak a peek at Jason, and everyone else fades into the background.
Good Lord, the tank top he’s wearing accentuates his broad shoulders and tapered waist, and the standard-issue sweatpants, which are sitting obscenely low on his hips, highlight his strong thighs.
I shouldn’t be ogling him, but I’m stunned by the way his appearance is affecting me, so I’m staring even harder to try to make sense of my reaction.
He saunters over to me and waves a hand in front of my face. “You okay?”
“Um, yeah, sure. Fantastic. Fabulous. Never better.”
Shut up, Vanessa.
“Good morning, everyone. My name is Mindy, and I’ll be your guide for this morning’s activities.
First, I’d like to congratulate Camila and Bryan on starting a new journey of spiritual love and commitment.
Second, I’d like to congratulate you, their friends and family, on supporting them on this journey.
Now, you may be wondering what we’re doing back here, so I’m going to explain it all.
You see, Cami wanted to do something that would nourish your body, detoxify your mind, and reduce stress.
Mud wrestling is designed to do all three. ”
I lean over and whisper in Jason’s ear. “Did she just say mud wrestling?”
“She did.”
“I’m going home.”
He gives me a half grin and continues to listen to Mindy.
“The clay in this oasis is a deep-cleansing formula that will moisturize and brighten your skin while drawing out impurities from your pores. But you won’t just be diving into it.
You’ll also be engaging in friendly combat designed to de-stress your mind.
This is the perfect time to let your inhibitions go, channel negative energy out of your life, and vent in a healthy and safe environment. ”
“I’m so ready, Lollipop,” Denise says, staring down Lisa.
Cami waggles her eyebrows at Bryan. “So am I.”
Mindy smiles. “That’s the spirit! Okay, the reason you’re wearing all white is because that is a crucial part of the challenge.
The aim of the game is simple: The first team to be completely covered in mud from head to toe loses.
I’ll be watching and refereeing as necessary.
Whenever someone is what we call ‘mud soaked,’ I’ll ask them to climb out of the pit so the remaining people can continue. Any questions?”
“What if I don’t want to mess up my hair?” Willow asks.
Mindy nods. “That’s simple. We have plastic bonnets for anyone who wants them.”
“Is this full contact?” Denise asks. “Like, can I throw an elbow to bring down my opponent?”