Page 516 of His Virgin Romance Series

BRIE

It had been only five weeks since I’d last seen the resort, and yet it felt like a different lifetime ago. Perhaps it was because my whole perspective had changed and that made me see everything differently. Seth was no longer the reason I was here. I was here for myself. I was here because I was taking control of my own life and refusing to be scared any longer.

I had booked a room for three nights. I was hoping in that time to speak to Ben and Seth and tell them that if it was still an option, I would like to resume my job, at least until my contract was up. I hadn’t informed anyone of my arrival; the only person who knew was Alani because she was the one that had taken my reservation. I walked around my room.

It was much smaller than the grand suite, but it was cozier, too. There was no living room or dining area, just a massive bed surrounded by stunning views. I walked over to the bed and sunk down into it. It was just as comfortable, and I felt the need to lie down and take a nap, if only to soothe my frayed nerves. I was rehearsing my speech for Seth when I heard a knock at the door.

Tensing slightly, I walked over and looked through the peephole to see who was there. I could see Alani’s profile through the unclear glass. With a sigh of relief, I pulled the door open.

“Hi,” I smiled.

She just walked straight up to me and gave me a big hug. “It’s so good to see you.”

“I know,” I said. “It’s so good to see you, too… I’ve missed you these past few weeks.”

“Me, too,” she nodded. “It hasn’t been the same around here without you.”

Alani walked in, and I closed the door behind her. She joined me on the edge of the bed and we both sat down together.

“How have you been?” she asked, cutting to the chase.

“I’ve been dealing,” I said.

“You never told me why you left.”

I sighed. “I’m sure you’ve heard things.”

“But I wasn’t sure whether to believe them or not,” she said. “The rumor is that you found out that Seth had been cheating on you.”

I sighed and Alani’s eyes went wide. “It’s true?”

“I’m afraid so,” I nodded.

“That’s crazy...”

“Is it?” I asked. “This is Seth we’re talking about. You yourself told me that he was famous around here for playing the field.”

“Playing the field, yes,” Alani nodded. “But he’s never been in a real relationship before you, so I figured he’d…changed.”

“I thought so, too,” I nodded. “Turns out I was just being naïve.”

“Come on,” Alani said, sounding unbelieving. “I’ve seen him with you. It makes sense for the two of you to be together. You have chemistry, there’s an obvious connection there.”

“Apparently to everyone else but Seth.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“I didn’t,” I said. “Then I walked into his suite and found a naked woman in the shower. So yeah… I believe it now.”

“Fuck,” Alani said, shaking her head. “I was hoping it wasn’t true.”

“He confirmed it,” I said, in a soft voice.

“No!”

“I stormed into his office right after and basically confronted him with what I’d found out,” I said. “He gave me some bull crap about how we were better off apart, and that’s when I quit.”

Alani looked dumbfounded. “Okay,” she said, after a moment. “I understand why you left. But now I don’t understand why you’re back.”

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