Page 93 of Dirty Boss

I wasn’t innocent; I knew that. I’d reveled in his attention—but I’d done it because my entire life up until that point had been an exercise in hiding my true self, in changing myself so I would finally be lovable.

No more.

James must’ve seen that truth written in my eyes, because his mouth twisted. “You were always so full of yourself, Alba. I heard you were washing dishes at a sandwich restaurant. How long did that last before you whored yourself out to the first man who could put you in a pretty dress?”

His words echoed my father’s. That ugly, cutting insult flung at me with the intention to hurt.

A year and a half ago, I’d been wounded by it. Now?

Now, I was stronger. All I saw was a small man who had to bring people down to make himself feel better. I couldn’t believe I’d cared about him. I couldn’t believe I’d been swindled by him. I’d loved him. Now, having felt what I felt for Vaughn, the love I had for James seemed like a cheap imitation. James didn’t cherish me. He didn’t evenknowme. He’d preyed on my loneliness, my desperation, and made me feel special for the first time in my life.

But he didn’t know about my childhood vegetable garden. He didn’t grin when I sassed him, or listen when I talked about hemlines and lapel widths. James didn’t know the first thing about me, except for my last name.

Shame boiled through me, but there was nothing I could do about my past mistakes. All I could do was be better. Do better. Icould be the kind of partner Vaughn deserved: loyal and loving, ready to stand beside him always.

Cole had forgiven me, and I wondered… Would I ever be able to forgive myself?

In that moment, standing before the man who’d used me and discarded me, I straightened. I couldn’t forgive myself quite yet, but I could draw a boundary that should’ve been drawn a long time ago. Chin high, I looked James in the eyes and said, “I don’t want to see you or talk to you. Don’t contact me ever again.”

James’s eyes narrowed, but I didn’t give him the chance to respond. I spun on my heels and ducked into the bathroom. I strode to the middle of the tiled area in front of the mirrors and let out a shuddering breath. Pressing my hands to my face, I tried to gather myself, but my lungs heaved and my legs trembled with unspent adrenaline. Gasping breaths sawed in and out of me, and I tried to pull myself together. Soon, I’d have to go back out there and pretend that everything was fine.

“Alba?”

My head jerked up. Bonnie was there with another woman, one who looked vaguely familiar from her circle of friends. Dani, I remembered. Wide-eyed, I stared at the two of them before turning to the mirror to salvage my streaked makeup.

“Are you okay?” Bonnie asked quietly.

I nodded, hands trembling as I pawed through my clutch for my compact. “I’m fine. It’s just—a lot. Being here is a lot.”

“Can I get you a glass of water?”

“That’s okay.” I gave Bonnie a tight smile in the mirror. “I just ran into…someone I wasn’t expecting to see again.”

Dani came closer. She wore a dark blue dress and a glittering diamond choker. “Do we need to kick him out?”

I shook my head. “No. I just need a second.”

Bonnie squeezed my arm, then pulled a tissue from her purse for me. My bottom lip trembled as I accepted it, and I shook my head, embarrassed. “I wasn’t expecting you to be nice to me.”

Bonnie frowned. “What? Why?”

“Cole and me…the breakup…”

“That’s between you and him,” Bonnie said, waving a hand. “He’s never had a bad word to say about you. All he said was that you two weren’t right for each other.”

Throat tight, I nodded. “That’s nice of him to say, all things considered. I wasn’t a good fiancée to him. I thought I was doing what was expected, but…” I trailed off, not knowing how to explain.

“Well. That’s in the past,” Dani pronounced, pulling a small granola bar from her purse and thrusting it at me.

I took it, blinking. “Um. Thanks?”

“Ever since having kids, I’ve carried snacks everywhere. They really do solve ninety percent of problems. Eat it. You’ll feel better.”

It was such a small act of kindness—and so opposite to what anyone in my old circle of so-called friends would have done—that I couldn’t help the teary laugh that burbled through me. “Thank you,” I replied.

“Now. Do you need us to stay with you, or should we guard the door so you have a minute to yourself?” Bonnie asked.

“I’ll take the minute,” I whispered.