“Ali, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” My best friend cradles me inside her arms and I unleash the ball of sadness that’s been eating at me over the past few weeks. So far, I’ve been able to keep it together, but this monumental news breaks me.
“Gwyn, the last six months living with Clark were soul-crushing. He barely looked at me. He’d rather spend the evening in our home office watching porn. He thought I was deaf, but I could hear the moaning from the computer speakers and I could hear him take pleasure without me. When I walked in on him and Paula…” I stop, unable to speak the words, and take a breath to settle my nerves before continuing. “Then I lost my job a few days later—it’s like adding insult to injury. I felt like the biggest loser in America. I had nothing left. Although I can never thank you enough for coming to my rescue, these past ten weeks have been so hard because I felt I had lost my compass. This insane opportunity is a renewal for me.”
“It is, sweetie. Come on, let’s go back to the kitchen for more wine,” she says, dragging me away from the dining room table. “You didn’t even want to send in your application because you were too afraid of leaving Clark behind while you pursued your dream.”
“I know. I didn’t want to admit it, but I didn’t want to leave and give him a reason to have an affair. He’s proved me wrong—he can have a flaming affair right under my nose.”
“Did you really love him, Ali?”
“What kind of question is that? We were together for eighteen months.”
“You didn’t answer my question,” she says, tilting her head to the side and pressing her lips together.
Gwyn’s question doesn’t entirely surprise me. She’s asked me the same question over and over and I’ve never been able to give her a straight answer. I know what I had with Clark has nothing to do with what she shares with Gaven, but I was happy not to be alone.
“I’m not sure I’d know what it feels like to love someone and to be loved in return.”
“You settled big time with Clark.”
“But—”
“Ali, I already know what you’re going to say,” she interrupts, crossing her arms over her chest. “Yes, this is New York, and yes, a lot of guys only date models and wafer-thin socialites, but there are plenty of good and honest men who love women with Salma Hayek curves like yours. Clark has been lying to you for the last six months of your relationship—if not longer.”
“You can’t understand,” I let out, irritated. “You’re super-thin and you’re tall. You don’t have to contend with enormous 32DD breasts that seem to have a life of their own half the time, hips and a tummy on a tiny five-two frame like mine.” I yank myself up on the stool, sulking.
“Honey, I’m sorry, but just in case you still haven’t received the memo, your curves are all at the right places. Even my boyfriend agrees. As far as I’m concerned, you’re ignoring the real issue here and we both know it has nothing to do with you gaining a few pounds over the past few months or you having boobs.” She casts me a stern look and her dark gaze immediately quiets any rebuttal.
One week after I stormed out on Clark, Gaven drove me back to my former home to pick up the remainder of my belongings. Contrary to our agreement, my ex-boyfriend was there waiting for me. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at his sorry ass. Before leaving the home we had shared for one year, I asked him two questions. I wanted to know how long he’d been having this affair with Paula. He admitted he had been sleeping with her since right after he got his big promotion. I mustered up the courage to ask my second question. I was dying to know if there had been others. He only lowered his gaze and whispered, “A few.” I had to bite my tongue to avoid crying in front of him.
“I guess you’re right,” I concede.
“I think this opportunity with Riley Carrington is far more than just a job. I honestly believe being away from the city will help you reconnect with yourself. I’m certain you’ll come back from this journey transformed.”
CHAPTER THREE
ALLISON
I’m expecting economy class, so I’m thrilled when Riley buys me a business-class ticket for my trip to Fort Collins, Colorado. The trip is a breeze and I spend most of my time going back in Riley’s blog archive to know as much as I can about my new boss.
When I retrieve my luggage and pass through the main doors leading outside of Denver airport, I immediately spot a chauffeur holding a big sign with my name in black marker. Riley is giving me the royal treatment.