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"Agreed," I say, "now, how about dinner? I told Maddie I'd be back late today, so she's taking care of the kids for dinner."
The warm glow of the restaurant's lights reflects off the polished wooden floor, casting a cozy atmosphere as Brett and I settle into our seats. We clink our highball glasses together, the sharp, citrusy scent of our cocktails mingling with the savory aroma wafting from the kitchen.
"Can you believe it?" Brett grins, taking a sip of his drink. "In college, we were just two guys with a dream, and now look at us–expanding our business across Europe."
"Cheers to that," I reply, downing a mouthful of my cocktail. The crisp, tangy liquid slides down my throat, leaving a pleasant warmth in its wake. "We've come a long way, my friend."
"Damn right, we have!" Brett exclaims, his eyes twinkling with pride. He gestures to our surroundings with his glass, spilling some of the contents carelessly onto the pristine white tablecloth. "Sipping highballs in Frankfurt… who would've thought?"
"Indeed," I muse.
We have dinner and another drink. Well, I have another drink. Brett has three. And by the end of it, he's getting pretty wasted. We might have built a coffee empire, but Brett is still the same kid from college who could never resist a drink too many on his nights out. He's also still a bachelor, though he's been through his fair share of girlfriends, which reminds me of Sofia, and I shake my head. I seriously need to let go of my thoughts about her.
"Roland, man, what are you thinking about?" Brett interrupts my reverie, already ordering another round of drinks from the waiter.
"Nothing much, just the court case," I admit, swirling the remnants of my cocktail in the glass. "It's hard not to worry about it, but I try to stay focused on the present."
"Ah, yeah, about that…" Brett slurs, his cheeks flushed from alcohol. He leans in closer, his voice low and conspiratorial. "I gotta tell you something, man. I didn't want to say anything before, but…"
"But?" I ask, wondering if he's dug up some juicy tidbit about Sofia.
"OK, well… I've been sleeping with Sofia," he blurts out, his eyes wide and unfocused.
I freeze, my heart pounding in my ears as I process his words. "What?" I finally manage, my voice a hoarse whisper. How could he betray me like this?
"Look, man, I'm sorry," Brett stammers, clearly realizing the gravity of his confession. "It just… happened."
"When?" I ask, feeling fury building inside me. I knew they kept their friendship alive, but sleeping with her? Well, if it's a one-night stand, fair enough but...
"About half a year ago. I mean I was feeling down one night, and she was cheering me up and one thing led to another and, man, she's great in bed. She's like a real dominatrix, you know. And so, I just sort of kept sleeping with her and now she says she wants Carmen back and I feel bad man..."
I stare at him in shock. "You're still sleeping with her?"
"Yeah, but it's just sex."
"Get out of my sight."
I look at him with disgust, then realize he's not going to be able to move fast enough for me to get him out of my sight before I punch him. I stand up and leave. He can handle the bill for this one.
As I walk out of the restaurant I wonder how the heck this all happened. How can my best friend have been sleeping with my ex for six months without me knowing? Honestly, I wouldn't care if it wasn't for the custody situation as I'm long over Sofia, but with that happening, how could he not tell me?
I storm into the night feeling like I've been run over by a freight train.
Chapter twenty-five
Maddie
"Come on, kiddos!" I call out cheerfully to Carmen and Damien as we get ready to leave. "We're heading to Palmengarten today!"
"Yay!" Carmen exclaims, her excitement contagious even though she has no idea where we’re going beyond that it’s a park. She’s been great on this trip, though. I feared she might start acting out or feel uncomfortable away from her normal routines, but that hasn’t been the case. A bit tired and grumpy, perhaps, but nothing more.
“This isn’t as exciting as the museums,” Damien says with a frown.
“Let’s just wait and see about that. Plus, if you’ve got complaints, you can just head back to Central Park.”
He grins at me. “Nah, the botanical gardens will do.”
“Thought so.” Being close to turning thirteen he has his moments when nothing is exciting. Even if he’s been super excited about this whole trip, he can’t help the occasional moment of moping (as I like to call them).
