“Marine. Biologist.” I refused to look at her, hoping to avoid her judgment.
“So that’s a big yes. No wonder you’re glowing. Must have been amazing to have you turning all shades of red.” She giggled, then tilted her head. “Wait. Isn’t he married? You did the deed with your married ex-boyfriend?”
“He’s not married. Not anymore.”
“Well, then that’s okay, right? Good on you, girl.”
“You think?” Good wasn’t the word I had in mind. It had taken years and an ill-advised marriage to Kyle Weston to cure me of Jake Cavallaro, but now I was headed back to where I started; reeling from his rejection.
“Well, yeah. You’ve been moping over idiot banker boy for months. Now you’re moving on. You got Mister Rebound over with. No harm in that.”
My snicker escaped. My Mister Rebound had happened within a few short weeks of my split with Kyle. Jake was not that. He never could be. “Did you forget about Alex?”
“Oh, right. You did Mister Rebound already, so this is Mister Moving On.” Beth giggled, then clapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry.”
“Ha. More like Mister Replay Bad History. Who do you think caused the Kyle mess to start with?” Ha. That would shut her up. Yes, that man could definitely fit the topic under discussion. Mister Dead-End Relationship, Kyle, who I’d latched onto while I was floundering and miserable, hoping to find true love. Jake, on the other hand, married his new love and made a pretty baby, surrounded by the circle of our closest friends. A circle that had tightened to become their closest friends.
“He’s single, so why the heck not?” Beth asked.
How about because of a dark-haired angel complete with amber eyes and adorable dimples, and the wedding ring welded to Jake’s finger? Weren’t those two insanely perfect reasons to run? “Because it ended with him trying to sneak out of his own hotel room after an all-nighter? And then everyone was sticking their noses in and commenting. Imagine this playing out in front of our two former best friends, at least three hundred wedding guests, and Jake’s little sister.”
“Ouch.” Beth winced. “So, guess you’re not planning on seeing him again.”
“Ha. Not a chance. Anyway, he lives on the other side of the country,” I said. “The topper to the whole episode was Luciana cornering me at The Quay yesterday. The little busybody lectured me on how I broke big brother’s heart. Now she hates me.”
“I’m sorry. Give her a few days to cool off and then reach out. Invite her to the club with us. We can have a ladies’ night out next weekend. She’s single?”
I nodded. “Yeah, but I can’t be out meeting guys with Luci in tow. That would be super weird. Anyway, let’s concentrate on getting to the summit before the trail gets busy and it gets scorching hot.”
“Fine, but we’re still going. Two singles at the club. Or three singles. Get in touch with Luci. No reason you two can’t work it out. You used to be close, right?”
I allowed a noncommittal shrug and focussed on the steep climb ahead. Maybe Beth was right. Kyle was long over. Jake and I were done for the second time after a brief blazing inferno, leaving my soul scorched. The future, as bleak as it looked, was waiting for me, whether I wanted to live there or not.
Still, reaching out to Luci might be the right move. I’d invite her to join us for dinner and a night out. Make peace and move on. It was the only thing left to do.
Chapter 6
Beth kept her promise and dragged me to the club on Saturday night, but not until after an afternoon of shopping at Park Royal to find a sexy little club-worthy dress.
And little this jewel-toned creation was, even if—as Beth pointed out—it played beautifully against my mocha skin. I tugged at the hem that continuously crept up, thrilled that I’d splurged on a new satin and lace ensemble to replace the ridiculously expensive set Jake had stripped from my body and was now, apparently, in his possession.
“Quit fidgeting. You look gorgeous.” Beth slapped my hand away from my hem before she leaned across the bar and spoke to the bartender. She turned to me. “When did you become such a prude? Club dress. Strutting your stuff. Getting crazy. Remember? You were far more exciting before you married Mister Stuffed Shirt.” She tapped a manicured nail on the bar. “Did Luci say she was coming?” she asked as she presented me with tonight’s drink special saluting summer; an orange-coloured pink-tinged fruity concoction topped with a twist of grapefruit, a maraschino cherry, and a tacky paper umbrella.
“Nope. She ignored my texts, but at least she knows where we’ll be tonight. Guess she’s still sufficiently pissed and no longer wants to associate with this heartless bitch.” I popped the cherry into my mouth before tossing the garish multicoloured decoration onto the bar and taking a liberal swing of the cocktail, wrinkling my nose and twitching as the tart-sweetness hit my tongue.
“Give it more time and try again,” Beth said, scanning the room. “Don’t let it ruin your night. He’s in here somewhere.”
He, in this case, being Mister Hot Guy, whose sole purpose was to rock my world and make me forget all about treacherous Kyle and sneaky Jake, though I still hadn’t relayed the entire story. That tale would be for another time, once I’d let it settle and sorted it in my mind. Once I’d analyzed it to death, as Beth always accused me of doing.
I tagged along as she wove her way through the crowd, ending up at a high table beside the dance floor. When she leaned her elbows against it, staking her claim, I followed suit, watching the bustle of bodies. Closing my eyes, I relaxed, shutting everything out while I swayed to the beat.
“Don’t get comfortable.” Beth nudged me with her elbow. “One drink, and then it’s dance time.”
“Mind if I join you?”
