He claps, cutting her off.
“Right, I have an introduction exercise for us all to do.”
She’s still glaring at me through slitted eyes, aiming her pent-up frustration at me, realizing she won’t get anywhere with Declan.
I gather up some pieces of firewood, holding her glare and matching it with one much darker. I bet little Miss New York City isn’t used to being told what to do. She probably wants to go crying to her daddy about the unfairness of it all.
Her jaw clenches like she wants to march over here and snatch my phone off me herself.
I casually take it back out of my pocket and open up the text from unknown bar girl. A pair of infuriated eyes watch me, so I take my time texting back, arranging when to send Declan to meet up with her. I even add a couple of little kisses at the end of the text to prolong my display.
Her reply is instant, chiming out like a leery cat call at a strip show.
New York City’s staring at me as I glance up from my screen. Her glare notches up ten degrees as I hold her gaze. Her lips twist into a sulky little pout.
I tilt my chin up with a clear ‘fuck off’ motion and turn my back on her, pocketing my phone.
4
JUDE
“I didn’t knowwe’d be cut off from civilization. What if they kill us and throw our bodies in the ocean for the sharks to eat?”
Mel laughs. “It’s a retreat. We’re supposed to be away from civilization. The hotel isn’t far if you need to use the Wi-Fi. And it’s not like we don’t have hot water. Plus, where else would you get a view like this?” She gestures to the open double doors at the end of our beach bungalow.
The glittering ocean stretches off into the distance. In front of it, white, soft sand calls like an invitation straight from our doorway.
It really is beautiful.
Even if my phone was confiscated like I’m an inmate.
Mel snorts at the unimpressed expression I must have. “It was nice to see some of your spunk returning when you argued with Declan, though. You haven’t seemed yourself since all the wedding planning ramped up. I was wondering where Jaws Jude went.”
“Oh God.” I can’t help but break into a smile at the stupid nickname the guys at work gave me because they said I was like a shark after blood. “It was once, okay? And that guy deservedit. Watching porn on the work servers and downloading a virus that could have derailed the whole system? He’s lucky he kept his job.”
“Wasn’t a happy ending for him.” Mel snorts.
“Ugh.” I drop my head back and run my hands through my hair. “I guess it was stressful planning the wedding. Or, suggesting things that Callum didn’t like, and thenhimplanning the wedding.”
“Yeah, he always did like things his way.” Mel wrinkles her nose.
“You said you liked him?”
“I didn’thatehim. But he’s a bit, you know… inflexible.”
The defense I’m about to deliver in Callum’s honor dies on the tip of my tongue. I don’t need to stand up for him anymore, and besides, Mel’s right. Callum is very particular about having things a certain way. But I always put up with it because he was so many other things too. Kind, a good listener, funny at times.
And I loved him. Or at least, I loved who I thought he was. The Callum I loved would never have cheated. Especially not on his wedding day, minutes before saying his vows.
Sourness creeps over my tongue.
“And you know… the way he idolizes your father is kind of…”
“Kind of what? They’re colleagues. Callum respects my father and what he’s achieved, that’s all.” But even as I say the words, I know she’s right. Callum knew my father before me. When the two of them are together talking medicine, everyone else in the room might as well be invisible.
Mel blows out a breath, studying my expression. “Listen. You don’t have to deal with Cal right now. But you do need to decide what you want.”
“I’m not going back to him!” I shriek.
