“That’s a good thing, Kallie. It means all this shit didn’t affect you like you thought it did. It’s going to make it easier to move on despite his obvious attempts at getting you back.”
Eris nodded to the flowers and Kallie sighed.
“For a woman who just talked about getting the best dick of her life, that sure is a heavy sigh.”
“He lied.”
“Who lied?”
“Ash. He lied.”
“How did he lie?” Eris asked. “Do I have to kill him now too?”
“It’s...”
Kallie sighed, unable to even begin the story.
“Kallie, just start from the beginning.”
“I’m trying! But it’s so convoluted and involved and ... and you’re going to think I’m crazy.”
“Lesson one. Stop worrying about what other people think. Talk. Fill me in. Let me help you. Or at least listen,” Eris said.
“I connected with him, Eris. We went on this yacht trip—”
“So he’s rich.”
“Will you listen?” Kallie asked. “We went on this yacht trip and got trapped in this storm. I was petrified and it was gut-wrenching. I’d never been so scared in my life. And the entire time, Ash comforted me. Kept us safe. Held me and cuddled me and kissed me. Bounced between making sure I was okay below deck and keeping the boat steady through the raging storm around us.”
“Why didn’t you tell me any of this? Why didn’t you call me, Kallie?”
“He’s rich, Eris.”
“I already figured that with the yacht.”
“No, no, no. He didn’t portray himself as rich. He wore board shorts and colorful flowing button-downs, and ... and took me to all the huts on the island to eat instead of the nice restaurants. He made it seem like he worked as a bartender at the beachside cabana where we met, and he never once corrected me. He told me it was his friend’s yacht!”
“Yikes,” Eris said.
“Yeah. Yikes. And then after the storm passes, we’re surrounded by boats asking us if a ‘Mr. Worthington’ is okay.”
“That name sounds rich.”
“Eris, he’s loaded. Richer than James could ever fathom to be.”
Kallie watched as her friend furrowed her brow.
“I went to the island looking for something and thought I found a hookup that was nothing like James. And instead, I snagged a man that is every bit as much as James. Rich. Throws his money around. Nonchalant about it. And a liar to boot.”
“Then you can’t trust him,” Eris said.
“But I want to.”
“But you can’t. He wasn’t upfront with you about who he was. You were trapped on a boat and stuck in a storm with a man who didn’t exist, Kallie.”
“Is it possible he kept up that facade because of gold diggers? Maybe ... to shield himself from women who prey on him because of his money?”
“It doesn’t matter. You can’t start any decent relationship off on a lie,” Eris said.
“James and I didn’t start on a lie and look where we ended up.”
“Yeah, about that. You have flowers from him sitting on that table. What gives?”
“He came by yesterday looking for a second chance.”
“And you didn’t call me to come kick his ass to the moon?”
“He cried in front of me, Eris. Real, bona fide tears.”
“What?”
“Yeah. Begged for me to come back. Begged me to at least consider it. And I think he’s telling the truth. I think he seriously feels guilty for what happened at our wedding.”
“You’re not actually thinking of going back to him, are you?” Eris asked.
“I don’t know!” Kallie exclaimed.
She took another large gulp of her wine and settled back into the couch.
“I don’t know,” she said with a whisper.
“Look, you need to stop making excuses for all these rich guys and find a man who isn’t afraid to be himself. And just so you know, if you go back to James, I’m breaking up with you.”
“Really?” Kallie asked. “Breaking up with me?”
“Yep. Our years-long relationship will be over. You know that man’s no good for you.”