Page 90 of My Ex's Best Friend

"You've got to be kidding me," Chris says. "When the hell did that happen?"

"In France," I say.

"That was months ago," Henry says, shaking his head before he seems to realize something. "Oh, my God, it all makes sense now."

"Wow, Kiera, huh? Never saw that coming," Chris says lightly.

I look at him. I had expected him to have a stronger reaction. Chris protests when his beer is even a degree warmer than he ordered it. And now, nothing?

Maybe I overestimated his feelings for Kiera. As far as I remember, he wasn’t too beaten up about their breakup.

"I wanted to tell you, but I knew that you would say it was a bad idea."

"Of course it was a bad idea," Henry says looking flabbergasted. "Look at you now."

"So, what happened?" Chris says. "Did she break your heart like she broke mine?"

"Dude, what the hell are you talking about?" Henry says. "You were the one who was cheating on her."

"Whatever, it's not about me," Chris says. "I thought we were talking about Jake."

"Right," Henry says, turning to me. "You said you guys were dating, so what happened? Did you guys break up?"

I shake my head. "I don't know what happened. I went abroad for a few days. I guess I was kind of busy, so I couldn’t really talk to her. And to add to a fucktastic cake, my phone was out of order. I guess she got mad. But I still don’t understand why she left without telling me.”

"Yeah, you told me that," Henry says. "You were with that ancient client of yours, right?"

"Yeah, Soledad," I say.

“But isn’t she like eighty-years-old?”

“Soledad is almost seventy.” She’s like this sweet motherly aunt who is also one of my richest clients. “I still don’t understand what happened. Well, my phone was acting all weird, so I couldn't talk to Kiera. But when I started to message her again, she wouldn't reply to me. And I came home early to find her and all her stuff gone. The worst part is I don't even know where she is right now."

"What do you mean, you don't know where she is? Doesn't she work for you," Henry says.

"Yes, but she's not coming into the office."

"Let me get this straight, she dumped you and ran away without telling you herself. And she continues to draw a handsome salary, all thanks to you?" Chris says, shaking his head. "Do you see what's happening here?"

"She's obviously taking advantage of you," Henry says. "I never thought she was that kind of a person, but then again, I never really knew her."

"She isn't, something is wrong. And I can't just abandon her," I say.

"Why not?" Henry asks.

The memory of her telling me that she's pregnant is too painful for me to relive it. Instead, I reach for another tumbler of whiskey.

"You really should slow down, dude," Henry says. "That's like your seventh drink."

"Let him," Chris says. "That girl obviously messed him up. He needs to get it out. I'll tell you what you need, Jake. You need to get a girl and fuck her till Kiera is out of your system. Rinse and repeat. Trust me, you won't even remember her name next week. The hotter, the better."

"That is the stupidest advice I've ever heard, Chris," Henry says. "This is Kiera, Jake. She was special."

Both of us look at Chris who shrugs. "You have my blessing, but she's gone.”

"Chris, just look at Jake."

"I am, and that's why I suggested it," Chris says. "Wake up, Jake. Kiera isn't here anymore. You're hurting, and she can't care less. Look around you, you have so many options."

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