“I used to love hearing that line from women in college.”

“Eww.”

He laughed. “Sorry,” he said. “TMI.”

“Sometimes I forget what a slut you were in college.”

Jason laughed louder this time. “I take that as a high compliment,” he said. “Speaking of sluts… I spoke to Seth this morning.”

I smiled. “Okay?”

“He made me a really nice offer,” he continued. “One that I, unfortunately, was forced to turn down.”

“What was the offer?”

“He’s opened up a new resort—”

“Another one?” I interrupted.

“Yup,” he nodded. “The boy is going places fast.”

“Apparently,” I said, impressed despite myself.

“This new hotel is a luxury resort in Hawaii, and it’s opening on Christmas Day. In the meantime, Seth’s been hosting a few VIP guests from all over the world who’ve come at his invitation.”

“And, you’re on the VIP list?”

“Of course,” Jason replied smugly. “He offered to take care of my plane ticket and the cost of the stay. And since I’m too busy to take him up on his offer, we thought you might as well make use of it.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Whose suggestion was it?” I asked. “Yours or Seth’s?”

“Uh…does it matter?” Jason asked, in confusion.

I hadn’t seen Seth in six years, and the last time I had seen him, we had left things on awkward terms. Again, the family Christmas party sprang to mind, and I remembered Seth standing by the punch bowl in a crisp white shirt that made him look like a Versace model.

“I’m curious,” I said, with a shrug.

“It was Seth’s suggestion,” Jason admitted.

“And why would he make that suggestion in the first place?” I questioned.

“You’re not an easy girl to do favors for, are you?”

I gave him a mocking smile. “Did you tell him I was just laid off?”

“Uh…was that a secret?”

“Jason!”

“What?” he asked defensively. “Is it that big a deal?”

“It is to me,” I said. “It’s humiliating.”

“Why should it be?” Jason asked. “It’s not like you were fired for misconduct or incompetence. The CEO of the company you worked for is a douche. That’s the reason you lost your job.”

“I know… But still—”

“Are we back to talking about your feelings of inadequacy?”