I sipped my drink and tried to relax as Moth kept his hand on mine. I told him that I'd just graduated and was trying to finish my first manuscript.
"Tristan knows I'm not published like the rest of you, but he still invited me. I'm hoping it will lead to some new opportunities."
"Sounds like you'll be doing a lot of firsts this week." Moth grinned wickedly. I thought I was going to explode! Yes!
"There you are! Delaney Duvall, you sneaky fox!" Tristan burst into the room, waving a chastising finger, causing both Moth and I to pull apart. "I've been looking all around for you."
"You have?" I reached for my drink again. The bartender had just refilled it.
"Are you drinking?" His dark brows furrowed. "You're only nineteen."
"It's a mocktail. What's up?"
"The storm caused some of our guests to be unable to attend this week's retreat. I had you all paired up for critique, and your partner is gone, so we need to find you someone to work with."
"I can be Moth's partner!" I looked over quickly.
Tristan shook his head. "No, no, that will not work!" He brought his hand to his mouth and gnawed on his knuckle. "He's partnered with Annie. I planned everything just so. I can't go mixing everyone around. Will your friend, the one you brought, Priest. Would he be your partner?"
I laughed. "Priest? He's not a writer." Tristan's eyes grew so wide I thought he'd explode. I put my hands up. "I'll ask."
He exhaled, ignoring my last statement. "Thank you.Now, the next crisis. My model is not coming, so you will be taking his place."
"Model?" I smirked and looked at Moth, who was silently observing everything. "I'm not a model."
"Models are bodies to pose, examine. They breathe life into your story. You agreed when I invited you that you would help where needed, so you will be filling in that day. Consider yourself off the hook after that."
"Fine." I rolled my eyes. "Anything else?"
The bartender appeared again and asked Tristan if he'd like a drink. Tristan sat on the stool next to Moth. "A nice white wine, if you can. Moth, how is the new hobby going?"
"Hobby?" I leaned forward to not get thrust out of the conversation. Moth flicked his tongue out appreciatively.
"I'm learning how to tattoo. I've got an apprenticeship starting after the retreat." He turned to Tristan. "I brought my equipment if you want to be a guinea pig."
Slowly, we were joined by Annie and Juniper. Tristan was asking more about his tattoo work and I was left in the dust. I turned to Annie, trying to hide my disappointment.
"It's obvious what your goal is this week but what about your hot friend?" Annie asked.
"Priest?"
I sipped my pink drink.
"Yeah, is he available?" When she grinned, an unusual sense of jealousy flared inside me.
"No, he's my partner."
"Only for writing-related things. I've got Moth, although I wouldn't mind a trade." She gave me a pointed look.
Juniper laughed. "Good luck. Tristan doesn't like changes. If he picked you to be with Moth, then that's who you're staying with."
"Who's your partner?" I asked the sarcastic psychic.
"Tristan. He claimed he couldn't trust anyone to do my writing justice." She rolled her eyes. "I love him, but sometimes he can be a little extra."
"Are you two…?" I pointed from Tristan to her.
She burst into laughter. "Oh sweetie, no. I've had far more female lovers than men. Tristan will never be in my bed. We just go way back. He's basically my brother."
