Page 38 of My Ex's Best Friend

Having visited often, the city had lost most of its appeal to me until just this moment. It’s the side of her I haven’t seen in years, the side that she has shielded from me. But now, I can literally feel the walls coming down between us.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“What?” I ask.

“On the flight, before we landed,” she says, frowning like a petulant child. “You were awake, weren’t you?”

“You looked so peaceful asleep,” I say.

She frowns at me. “I can sacrifice my sleep for this. I mean, look at it. It’s so beautiful."

“It indeed is,” I say, but my eyes are on her, not the city that pales in comparison.

I had forgotten what it was like to witness the city for the first time. The thrill of discovery, the sense of wonder, and the sheer excitement of being immersed in a place so rich in history and romance – I had almost lost touch with these emotions.

However, as I observe Kiera taking in the spectacle, a subtle shift occurs within me.

“I can only imagine what it looked like when we were up in the sky.”

“Well, the jet is at my disposal. We can fly again whenever you like,” I say.

She turns to me, her brows drawn. “I can’t tell—are you making fun of me?”

“No,” I say.

“Spoken like a true trust fund baby,” she says.

“You need to stop calling me that,” I say. “All of that money went into the company.”

This time, her eyes widen. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope,” I say. “I used the last of my inheritance to pull it up by the straps. My dad wasn’t particularly happy about it, but we made peace. He wanted me to get a job in finance and work on Wall Street.”

“Oh, Jake,” I say. “I'm glad things are better with your dad.”

I just nod and stare out of the window.

It takes us about thirty minutes to reach the place, away from the bustle of the city.

Kiera's eyes widen as she takes in the grandeur of the house, and she breathes out an audible, "Wow."

“I know,” I say as the car comes to a stop at the end of the driveway.

“Wait,” Kiera says. “You own this place?”

“Well, technically it belongs to my family,” I say.

“Of course,” she says with a shake of her head. “Why did I even ask that question.”

“What is that even supposed to mean?”

“You guys own crazy properties. Remember the trip we took to Aspen?”

I smile at the memory of Tammy going, “Wait, so you’re actually rich? Like rich rich?”

“I do remember,” I say.

Stepping out of the car, the air is filled with the subtle scent of blooming flowers and the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.

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