“With all due respect to whatever it is the two of you have here, but I’m talking with Ashly. You can wait your turn.”
“If anything, you’re the one that barged in on us. And you’re not welcome,” Kallie said.
“Excuse me? Where do you come off talking to me like that, gold digger?”
“Ash and I are in the middle of a private dinner. And I’m sure once we alert someone downstairs to the fact that you’re up here when you shouldn't be, they’ll have no problems escorting you off the premises.”
Kallie watched as Sasha sized her up. Sasha ripped her arm away as a pretentious little giggle fell from her lips. It took all the strength Kallie had to hold in her anger. To not erupt onto this woman before slapping her across her mouselike face.
“We were having a conversation, and we would like to finish it in peace,” Kallie said.
“Look, I’m not sure what kind of hint you need, but Ash isn’t interested in you,” Sasha said. “There’s no way he could be, after the news that came out about you. So stop trying to take my man away from me.”
“I’m pretty sure he’s not anyone’s man,” Kallie said.
“He was at my birthday party,” Sasha said. “And we had a devil of a time in my bedroom. I’m pretty sure that proves it.”
“No, we didn’t,” Ash said.
Kallie’s eyes whipped up to him when the man finally found his voice again.
“We never hooked up, Kallie,” he said. “Not for one second. She kissed me and shoved me into her room. I had to fight her off me before I left that party.”
“You were hitting on me all night, Ashly,” Sasha said.
“No, you were hitting on me. Rubbing your hands on my body and offering to get me drinks. And maybe I didn’t bat you away then, but I sure as hell did it before you shoved me into your room. Before you shoved me onto your bed. Before you tried to take my pants off without my consent.”
“I would never do such a thing. I love you, Ash.”
“But I don’t love you. I’ve never been interested in you, Sasha. We were a one-time thing on the island, and that was it. A splash of fun on vacation. You were the one who constantly pursued me. Calling me. Coming to my apartment. Following me to all sorts of places. How in the world are you going to convince me that you just happen to be in Indonesia the same time as me? I’ve only ever been here one other time. My father doesn’t do business in this country.”
Kallie watched Sasha’s mouth drop open.
“What?” Sasha asked breathlessly.
Kallie almost felt sorry for the woman.
Almost.
“I’m more of a woman than this girl will ever be. She was going to use you for your money.”
“The text messages were faked. I’ll be dealing with Mr. Rathbone at a later date,” Ash said. “But for now, Kallie’s right. You’re not welcome here, and you interrupted a very private dinner. So you should leave.”
Kallie’s eyes widened as Sasha stalked off. She could tell the woman was embarrassed, pissed off, and mortified. Sasha cursed underneath her breath as she walked off, saying some very disgusting things Kallie wanted to address.
“That bitch isn’t good enough for him.”
“Fucking gold-digger fucker.”
“Ash isn’t good enough for me anyway.”
Kallie watched as her body disappeared back into the restaurant before she turned back to Ash. Her body was coursing with unused energy. Anger she didn’t know how to get rid of. She ripped her chair out from the table and sat down, her chest panting as she tried to settle her heart down. It was racing with adrenaline, and she could still see herself slapping the shit out of that woman.
But she felt empowered. Strong. Rooted.
She finally stood up for herself.
And she knew she had taken a wonderful first step into the rest of her life. Bali wasn’t simply rejuvenating for Ash, it had been rejuvenating for her. Getting out of the States had been exactly what she’d needed in order to get her head right. Yes, it was a business trip, but it was also an eye-opening adventure. Maybe one day, once her business grew, she’d move herself to a place like Indonesia.