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“So, how do you and Ella know each other?” Cindy asked with a beaming smile on her lips as she looked back and forth between her and Bass, which then made Ella blush, making her look like she was trying to hide something. Dang it!
“We’ve sort of known each other since we were kids,” Ella said, jumping in, not trusting what Bass might say. Cindy was a gem, but she was also a gossip, and in no way did Ella want rumors to spread in the SF society that poor little Ella Jones was dating billionaire magnet, Sebastian Fisher.
“Oh, isn’t this just too cute,” a snide voice said from behind Cindy and Dan. Ella looked up and her blood ran cold. Just when she started thinking the fates loved her, something wicked appeared to remind her that God had a sense of humor that others might not find funny.
Sharron, Rafe’s ex-wife, stood next to a tall man who had to be ten years her junior and looked about as smart at a ten-watt light bulb. The woman obviously didn’t mind as he was perfect arm candy for her. She obviously liked her men rich and stupid. She’d messed up when marrying Rafe because he was anything but stupid. She’d almost messed up by having an affair with Bass as he was brilliant as well. How had both men fallen for the horrid woman? Ella would probably never know.
“Go away, Sharron,” Bass said with an edge to his voice. He wasn’t going to make a scene in the fancy restaurant, but he was also making it clear he didn’t want her there. If Rafe walked out and saw her with them, it might start another fight again. Ella hoped that wasn’t going to happen, not when they werefinallystarting to get along.
Just as Ella had that thought Rafe stepped into the area and his eyes locked in on Sharron. His expression went dark. Ella believed the only thing stopping him from saying some seriously nasty stuff was his wife standing there, gripping his arm.
Before any of them could say another word, Cindy shocked them all when her smile evaporated as she turned to see who was causing the ruckus. She gave Sharron a murderous look that Ella didn’t understand. She’d never seen the woman appear anything less than happy. Even in the most stressful moments of her wedding, she’d still given glimpses of smiles.
What was more shocking was the look of shock and fear on Sharron’s face as she made eye contact with Cindy. Everyone stood with bated breath as they watched the stare-down between the two women. Even Dan looked confused as he glanced back and forth between his wife and the stranger who seemed to bring an instant chill to the air.
“How dare you walk up to a group I’m in,” Cindy hissed.
“I didn’t realize you were here,” Sharron said as she took a step back.
“Leave now,” she demanded.
Ella was in shock when Sharron spluttered, then turned on her heel and quickly walked away, dragging the man with her.
“What in the heck was that?” Ella asked, the first to speak after the strange meeting with Sharron and Cindy. That was so odd no one knew what to say.
“I’m sorry,” Cindy said. “It didn’t appear she was a friend to any of you, which I’m glad for.” She looked directly at Ella. “You are far too good a woman to be mixed up with the likes of her. She’s a monster.”
“What did she do?” Ella asked. She wasn’t looking at Rafe or Bass who had to have been standing there without so much as breathing as they waited to hear what Cindy had to say. Sure, none of them liked Sharron, but Cindy really seemed toreallyhave her hate on for the woman. Then again, probably a lot of people in the world hated the woman. She was a snake through and through.
“I was engaged to a different man five years ago. Obviously I’m very happy it didn’t work out because now I have Dan, and he’s absolutely the love of my life. I used to hate hearing people say those words, finding them so cheesy, but seriously, heisthe love of my life. But back then, I’d been with my fiancé, Alan, for three years. We got engaged because we thought it was time to take the next step in our relationship. We’re actually still friends today. He’s been married a year now and has a beautiful little boy who looks just like him and I couldn’t be happier for him.”
“Okay, but what does this have to do with Sharron?” Bass asked, obviously growing impatient with the side streets Cindy was taking in telling her story.
“Sorry. I tend to go off on tangents,” she said with a laugh.
“What happened?” Rafe asked with far more kindness. Ari nudged him.
“I’m sorry about my husband. That evil woman is his ex-wife who did some awful stuff. We’d allreallylike to know what happened,” Ari said.
“That bitch assaulted Alan. She drugged him in the hotel we were all staying in and somehow got his key. I was down at the bar with my girlfriends, and he wasn’t feeling well and insisted I stay behind so I did. He made it back to his room and she followed him. When I came in she was on top of him naked and turned around with a victorious smile on her face. If I hadn’t trusted Alan implicitly, I might’ve thought he was a part of the game, but I knew he’dnevercheat on me. I threw her out and called the cops. An ambulance came and took him to the hospital and found the date rape drug in him.”
She paused as Ella, Rafe, Ari, and Bass all stared back at her.
“What did you do?” Ella finally asked.
“I wanted to press charges but Alan begged me not to. He knew it would have his name in the headlines and he wasn’t going to go through that. It wasn’t his fault, but I couldn’t touch him after that. We’d already been on the edge because we knew we were far better friends than lovers, but after seeing her naked on top of him, I couldn’t make love with him anymore. I cried and cried, and he held me as we broke up, but in the end it was for the better, and she actually helped us. We would’ve been miserable in a marriage. We would’ve stayed together because we loved each other and wouldn’t want to hurt the other, but we’d have never felt this deep love like what I have now with Dan, and what Alan has with Katie.”
“Wow,” Ella said, unable to think of any other words. She then turned to Bass who looked white. She looked over at Rafe who looked just as sick.
“I knew he didn’t do it,” Ari said in a whisper as tears fell down her cheeks.
“What?” Cindy asked in confusion.
“Let’s just say your Alan wasn’t the only man Sharron did this to,” Ari said with profound sadness.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.”
It became really uncomfortable then, and Cindy and Dan bade them goodbye and took their leave. Ella looked between Rafe and Bass and tried to find words. Now they’d be able to heal. Now that they knew Bass hadn’t participated willingly with Sharron, Rafe could truly forgive him.
