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There’s a shocked silence across the table. “Eden…”
“No, he doesn’t get to do this. Send a message like this,” I say. My voice is strong enough to surprise us both. “It was nice to see you, Kaelie, but I don’t want to hear anything from him. I don’t want to talk about him, or what happened, and I… just really don’t want to do this.” I rummage through my bag for my wallet and pull out the money to pay for my drink. “Have a nice time on the island.”
There’s a genuine shock in her voice. “All I wanted was—”
“He was sleeping with my best friend. Formonths,” I say. “With Cindy. You remember her, don’t you?”
She blinks at me. “Oh. Yes, I do.”
“Well, they were having an affair. Feel free to tell the rest of your family about that, including Caleb’s parents. I’m really sorry for their lost deposit, but… but honestly, that’s on Caleb. I’m done with him. Forever.” My chest is rising fast, and I can’t count the bills quickly enough. There should be enough money here. Five dollars, one, a few coins…
“Eden,” she says. “God, Eden, please sit down.”
I shake my head. There’s something in my throat, and I don’t know if it’s tears or a scream, but I don’t want to be here when it erupts.
“I had no idea. I’m sorry… Holy shit. That’s why he’s been so moody.” Kaelie runs a hand over her face, the pleasant, extroverted demeanor gone. Now she just looks tired. “I shouldn’t have come here like this. I see that now. Damn Caleb and his screwed-up requests.”
“Yeah. Can’t trust him.”
“At least you can cut him out of your life,” she mutters and half laughs.
A surprised chuckle slips out of me, too. I finally find the correct amount of money and put it down on the table. A debt paid. “Yeah.”
“Sorry, Eden,” she says again. “I’ll make sure the rest of the family knows.”
I shrug. “It’s up to you. I’m done with him.”
She raises her glass to me. “Enjoy the rest of your vacation, Eden. The guy last night looked hot.”
I laugh again. “Yeah. Um, thanks.”
With quick steps, I leave the restaurant and find myself in the resort’s garden. A blooming flower next to me spreads its soft scent in the evening air, calm and serene. It’s a sharp contrast to the burning feeling inside of me. I feel like I’ve just survived a battle.
Adrenaline pumps through my veins.
Caleb wants me back.
I press a hand to my mouth, laughter bubbling up. He must be delusional to think I’d ever consider that.
Or maybe the old me gave off those vibes… made him think I was the kind of woman who’d only needed a few weeks to cool down before forgiving the biggest betrayal of her life.
The wordneverisn’t strong enough.
I tilt my head back and look up at the star-studded sky, here on an island that’s so far, far from where I’ve lived my entire life. The air is warm, and the gentle wind feels pleasant against my skin, making the plants around me rustle in the breeze.
“You okay?” a voice asks. It’s familiar now after days spent together.
I smile. “You followed me?”
“No,” he says. “Well, yes, I suppose, but not in a creepy way.”
I turn around. He’s leaning against one of the columns, eyes intent on me. He looks so like he did that very first night, when he’d been a stranger stealing my table. The only change is the tan overtaking his skin and the stubble growing more prominent by the day.
“Did you have dinner in there?” I ask.
“Yes. Far away from you and Kaelie, though.” He shrugs, a look of uncertainty on his face. “I figured… well, you might have needed a backup again.”
“Thank you,” I say.
