just so confident in yourself. In your body. And I'm…not. And I want to learn. So I wanted to see if you would teach me how to dance like you do."
I blink, not entirely sure I heard her correctly. "You want me to teach you how to strip?"
"Yes?" Bridget twists her hands again. "And no? I mean, not publicly of course. I just want to learn how to move in a seductive way. I want to show A'tam I can be sexy. I want to blow his mind."
"He's a man. You want to blow his mind? Tell him you're up for sex." She doesn't laugh at my joke, though, and I bite back my sigh. Right. "So you want to learn how to dance. Can I ask what brought this on?"
"Daisy," Bridget says bluntly.
"Daisy?"
She nods, her expression more determined. "I overheard her talking to Flor. She said she was going to talk to you about possibly learning how to dance to impress a guy and…well…I thought I'd beat her to the chase. You'll teach me and not her?"
This is so weird. "Daisy hasn't asked, but…if she does, I mean, I guess I can tell her I'm busy?"
It's the right thing to say. Bridget gives me a relieved look "Oh my god, thank you, Raven. You're amazing. When do you want to start? Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow's fine." I'm still baffled by the entire conversation, just a little. "I'll come up with some basic moves and an easy routine and we'll start tackling it. I've got a skin I've got to finish up this afternoon and I want to keep an eye out for U'dron."
"That works," she says excitedly. "I'll bring breakfast again tomorrow morning. Thank you so much, Raven." She reaches over and squeezes my hand. "I really appreciate it. I'll be ready!"
I smile at her as she goes. She's all excitement and relief now, and oddly enough, I'm flattered. She thinks I'm a good enough dancer that she wants me to show her how to dance. She thinks I'm confident and sexy. She doesn't think I'm a gross criminal. It's…nice.
And sure, Bridget's a weird mixture of competitive and oddly reserved, but it makes me wonder if she had a harsh upbringing. How many guys did I meet at the club that always complained that their wives were “cold” or weren't “sexy”? I know some of it was just guys talking, but I also know a lot of girls struggle with asking for what they want. It's not a problem I've ever had, but something tells me Bridget has never had to be blunt about her needs.
Well, she's gonna learn.
I run a comb through my hair and pull it into a loose braid, still thinking about the conversation with Bridget. Funny how A'tam came by yesterday and Bridget came by today, and both of them mentioned Daisy. It's almost like it's a set-up, and I wonder if I'm the one being set up. But why would Daisy have it out for me?
Since I'm no shrinking violet like Bridget when it comes to my feelings, I get dressed and decide to seek Daisy out to get some answers.
When I head out of the hut, though, the camp is in chaos. I thought people would be getting ready to go out on hunts for the day, but instead, there's a huge group by the fire and everyone seems to be arguing or talking over one another. I glance up at the skies and the weather is dreadful, snow falling on the beach and the clouds thick and ominous. My poor U'dron. There's a stiff, cold breeze coming in off the water and I hug my cloak tighter to my body and try not to worry. He can take care of himself. He can.
I head over to the fire and listen in to the conversations, sidling my way forward. Willa ladles out a cup of shrimp tea and offers it to me as I approach, and I take it with a quick nod of thanks. I fish the “shrimp” out of my cup and toss it into the fire, then squeeze onto a rock next to Elly. Daisy's on the far side of the fire, deep in conversation with Brooke.
"Survivor is two teams," Devi says, waving a piece of charcoal as she writes on a rock. "There's a team challenge, and then the losing team has to vote someone off of their tribe."
"But I like my tribe. I do not wish to see anyone leave," J'shel