[Bianca]
"The Salmon is amazing," Macy said, shoveling it down her throat like a starved pauper five minutes later. "Allow me to have a word with my client. I'll make her see reason."
I raised an eyebrow in Macy's direction, more than a little ready to rip her a new one. The hairs on the back of my head stood up. I didn't like where this was going, what with her being my oldest friend, but enough was enough. She got up and grabbed my hand, making me drop the knife in my hand in the process.
"Do you have a sibling threesome kink?" Olivia asked, snapping her fingers like she finally figured me out.
"You get used to her," Cole said with a shrug, raising his glass to me before taking a sip of his wine.
"Excuse us," I said tightly, when Macy's persistent hand wouldn't stop tugging on mine.
Cole gestured to a second door, one behind him that opened up onto a balcony overlooking the sea. The man sure did love his privacy.
Who could blame him for wanting a piece of the roof to himself? When we made it outside, I was immediately hit by a breathtaking sight. A spectacular view of the island lit up in all its glory was laid out before me. The salty sea breeze washed over me, soothing me. Waves crashed gently into each other, inaudible owing to the music playing. It was exactly what I needed to prepare myself for the conversation I was about to have.
"Macy Jones?" I began, looming imposingly over my best friend.
"I can explain," Macy said, backing up.
"Did I miss your wedding as well as your promotion? Because last I checked, your name was Macy Keller, assistant to Merida Jones, Brianna's real agent," I snapped.
"Yes well, last I checked, you weren't the real Brianna so," she returned, as though in justification for her actions.
I took a moment to let that sink in, walking as far away from her as the balcony allowed. Was my best friend always such a bitch? Was I blind to her using me for all these years, just like Jason and Brianna? It seemed so fucking obvious now.
"I'm sorry, that was a low blow," Macy said, lowering her voice, as she approached me slowly. "I'm a little nervous. My job's kind of on the line. Merida's pinned the sex scandal on me."
"You know what? Fuck you, Mace. Was this your plan all along?" I asked, still naively holding out hope that she would say I was wrong. "This wasn't about me healing. You knew Brianna would fuck it up somehow, before she even disappeared, so you tricked me into coming out here to sign this deal in her place."
"It was Merida's idea, not mine. Especially after the scandal hit," Macy said, shame washing over her features. "You're in international waters, pretending to be someone else. Merida knows this."
Life had fucked me over and then some. I was done giving two fucks. All those fucking years of studying. Struggling. Carrying everyone around me on my back. Prioritizing their needs above taking a second to fucking relax. The sleepless nights.
Balancing law school and Brianna's career because I felt guilty for quitting modeling, knowing it was my mother's dream to have twin supermodel daughters. For fucking what? For all I cared, Armageddon could be tomorrow. The world could explode. I didn't care anymore.
"Because you fucking told her," I roared, outraged as it sunk in that even my best friend wasn't trustworthy in the end. "So what? Are you threatening me, Mace?" I demanded, crossing my arms as I stared her down, awaiting an answer.
"I'm so sorry, BB. I know it's the last thing you need right now, but Merida lost her shit when she found out about the scandal. Star Agency is in trouble, Bianca. We need this. Merida's gone mental, firing people left and right," Macy pleaded her case, her hands gesturing this way and that as she explained her predicament.
The problem was, I didn't give a fuck. How was it fair that Brianna came out on top after fucking me over? Not fucking this time. Not at my expense.
"Tell Miss Jones (the real one) good luck landing the deal if I'm behind bars. I'm unemployable, courtesy of Brianna. I don't have shit to lose. As far as I'm concerned, Brianna, Merida and even you, can all go fuck yourselves. I'm not forging shit for the poisonous drunk who probably doesn't even remember she ruined my life. Brianna and Star Agency can solve their own fucking problems for once. I won't be doing it for you," I thundered, my tall frame shaking by the end of my speech.
"I know you hate her right now, but you are your sister's keeper, BB. If you don't help her, she will drown," Macy said, turning around as I walked past her.
I stopped dead in my tracks, taking in a painful breath.
"When did covering up for her fuck ups become my whole life, Mace? I'm done. Bianca Chase is on fucking vacation. For the first time in eight years. Whether it's on an island or behind a cell, I really don't give two fucks. Tell the Hunters whatever the fuck you want to, but I'm not signing shit," I said, pushing forward despite the instinct to change my mind, ingrained in me from years of manipulation.
Saying the words felt like having a weight lifted off my chest. I wanted to go a step further. Ask if Macy and I were ever really friends. Not quite brave enough to hear the answer yet, I bolted.
"Is everything okay?" Cole asked when I stormed back into the room, chest heaving painfully.
"Perfectly fine. Why do you ask?" I lied, my voice trembling.
"You're crying, Miss Chase," Cole said softly, a look of pity on his face as he rose gracefully from his chair.
Adonis made his perfect body across the room. Easy on the eyes. Flirty. Charming. Doting. Witty. Comforting presence. Filthy rich. Handsome. He was the complete package.
With a huge package.
"Where the fuck were you ten years ago, Cole? Before life ruined me," I muttered without meaning to, taking the handkerchief he offered me.
Because of course he fucking carried one. Dude was a gentleman, through and through. At least to me. Minus the whole putting my hand on his dick bit. Then again, he didn't shove a hand down his pants. That was all me. My pussy clenched at the memory despite the hole in my chest. Empty. I had nothing to offer this man. Not even a meaningless fuck.
I wasn't sure he heard me, but when he took a step into my personal space, I took one back. Our eyes locked. The breath caught in my chest. I sobbed like a baby, breaking down right in front of him.
"I come in peace. Want to talk about it?" he asked gently, raising his hands in the air in surrender.
Not even his reputation of being an even bigger slut than Brianna could have made me stop drowning in his sea greens. Marred in pain and betrayal, it was a beautiful moment just the same. Simply because he was a part of it.
"I don't get to have you, Cole. You're just too perfect for life to hand to me," I muttered, dabbing at my eyes.
"That's the furthest thing from the truth. I'm a vacation fling at best. A mistake waiting to happen. A fun one though," he said in earnest, flashing me a warm, sexy smile.
My heart thudded painfully as everything fell apart around me. Around us. Everything I ever knew as truth was a lie. Fiction. My life didn't seem like my own.
Only he seemed real. Tangible. Like the world's last piece of solid ground.
"Not tonight," I said, dragging my feet back to the door I had originally entered from, still clutching his handkerchief in my hand like it was some precious treasure.
Mind you, it likely cost a small fortune, so it probably was.
Did I say no one time too many, Cole Hunter? This time to the wrong person? If I turned back now, would you still fuck me senseless? Would you still want to remind me what it felt like to be someone's woman?