Page 146 of Wanting You

Maybe it’s because River then sheds his clothes and grabs Emily’s hand, marking her.

Maybe it’s because he wants a quick fuck later, and he thinks I’m a sure thing.

Or maybe…

Maybe…

He feels something. He feels the connection.

At this point, does it even matter? I’ll take the billions any way I can get them.

When Ariel and Alex discard their clothing, June’s smile goes wide. It’s not everyone, but apparently it’s enough for June.

We follow her in the circle, our bare feet clinging to the grass.

“Tonight,” June says, “we let go. Of guilt. Of fear. Of anything that doesn’t serve who you’re becoming.”

We murmur agreement.

“Louder.”

“Yes,” I say.

“Yes,” the others say.

June dips her fingers in the bowl of rosewater and flicks it toward us.

Then she looks at me.

“You want to say something?” she asks me.

I blink. Shit. I must’ve been staring too hard.

“No,” I say. “Just watching the show.”

She tilts her head. “This isn’t a show, Heather.”

“Sure,” I say. “Then let’s get on with it.”

June starts to chant, and the rest of us fall into rhythm. It’s a low, haunting sound that seems to rise from the earth itself. The moon shines above us.

And while I don’t think we’re summoning anything real…

Something’s here.

Something that wasn’t here before, and I’m not talking about Darby or Jake or the visiting chef.

Something—or someone—has come to the island.

Watching.

Waiting.

Ready.