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“You just did,” she says in a dopey voice, then sticks out her tongue.Smartass.I haven’t heard that response since grade school. It’s stupid and nostalgic enough to make me smile. “What do you wanna know?” she asks, picking at her scone.
“We’ve only ever spoken when Bryan was around, butyou seem like a completely different person away from him. You’re very... informal. So, why were you even dating? Was it like an opposites-attract thing?”
Her shoulders rise as she takes a deep breath and then blows it out slowly. “It’s something our parents set up. I mean, to a degree. We’re the ones who kept dating and going along with it. They thought ourunionwould be beneficial for both parties. There’s always been an understanding we would get married. Our relationship was not a fairytale by any means, but whose is? Fairytales aren’t real, ya know? We got along, we had similar goals, we knew what we wanted in life, my parents loved him.”
This kind of thing isn’t uncommon, it’s definitely something Bryan’s parents would support, though.
“What about you?”
“Did I love him?” She sighs and ponders the question. “I don’t know.”
One of my rules in life is if it’s not an enthusiasticyes, then it’s ano. “I don’t know” is what you say when you can’t decide what to eat for dinner. It’s not the answer you give when asked if you love your fiancé. And refer to it in past tense. I’m not surprised. Until the other night, every time I’ve seen her with Bryan, their interactions were stiff, like they’re following a script. Though, I never would have guessed their relationship was thistransactional.
“So, what’s the plan?”
She shrugs. “We haven’t sat down to talk about it. There’s a lot wrapped up in this. It’s not like I can just walk away and never speak to him again. We live together, there are wedding plans, and there’s all the family involvement. My parents left for Monaco this morning. When I waved goodbye, I sawBryan’s car near the gate. I need to deal with it, but I don’t want to.”
“You don’t have to play nice, you know.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean he cheated on you—with your best friend—and yet you seem so pragmatic. Why don’t you teach him a lesson or something?” Bryan’s a friend, but he fucked up. “Every time he does something stupid, he gets a pass. Don’t give him one.” His actions are constantly excused. Even as kids when we did something we weren’t supposed to, I’d be punished and he’d get a slap on the wrist. I kinda wanna see her give him hell over it.
“What’s done is done. I’m hurt, but I’d rather not rock the boat and make this more tumultuous than it needs to be.”
Rock the boat? He had an affair with her best friend. I’d say she’s entitled to a little rocking. I pause for a moment, not quite sure how to ask my next question, but it’s an important one.
“Are you safe with him? Before Vegas happened, I mean?”
She narrows her eyes. “What do you mean?”
I rub my jaw as I formulate my words. “Remember that night at the lodge, when I walked in on you two talking?”
“Yeah...” She takes a sip of her iced mocha.
“I’d been eavesdropping and heard the way he spoke to you. Does he do that a lot?”
“He’s jealous and paranoid.” She waves a hand. “The irony, huh?”
“That can be a dangerous combination.” Bryan and I were best friends, but since that night, it’s like I’m seeing this darker side to him. The anger, the cheating, even his attitude is different. “It’s your life, you know your relationship best,but just... be careful. There are people and resources I can hook you up with if you feel like you can’t cut things off.”
She averts her eyes and nods. I can tell she knows what I’m getting at. Which makes me think the thought has crossed her mind before.
“I’ll be fine. I can figure things out on my own.”
Talking about him makes her tense. She’s back to staring out the window, which normally would look casual, but her shoulders are hunched, and I wonder if she’s thinking of other times he spoke to her with that tone.
“So, can I get your number?”
She flicks her gaze to mine. “Seriously? Are you really trying to?—”
“Glad to see his cheating hasn’t changed how highly you think of yourself. I meant, exchange numbers for platonic purposes. If you ever need helpwith himor whatever. It sounds like you’re going through a lot, so if you need something, I want you to call me.”
I can’t believe I’m even offering to do this for her, I shouldn’t be getting involved, this is stupid.
“Shit.” She winces, letting out a nervous giggle. I find her embarrassment kind of adorable. She pushes her unlocked phone across the table toward me. “Yeah, we can exchange info.”
After saving my number in her phone, I smirk and raise my eyebrows. “I mean, if youreallywanna get back at him, I’d be willing to...” I’m only teasing, but my brain gets stuck on the image of being her revenge sex. My eyes drop to her chest.She’s got nice tits, it’s a shame she’s hiding them in that oversized sweatshirt.
