Page 68 of The VIP Package

Jesus Christ, she’s right.

“So now what?” Sara’s determined to keep us on track. “Now that you’ve tasted true passion, how are you planning to keep it?”

“With Ash or with anyone else,” Eve adds. “If it’s not long term with him.”

Leave it to Sara to ask the blunt question. “Do youwantlong term with Ash?”

All the thoughts I’ve been pushing to the back of my brain come charging at me like rabid goblins. I’m twitchy and flummoxed and maybe a little bit scared. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Sara looks dubious.

My mind keeps reeling. “If I tell Ashton I caught feelings, he’ll freak out.”

“Maybe.” Sara folds her arms, too, and I find myself staring down twin professors of passion. “But what’s the worst that could happen if you try?”

“Embarrassment.” That’s honestly not very scary. “You’re right. That’s never deterred me before.”

“See?” Eve smiles. “You’ve got nothing to lose except maybe a blow to your ego.”

“Your self-esteem is healthy enough to take it.” Sara uncrosses her arms and gives me her sweetest schoolteacher face. “I say go for it.”

“Agreed,” Eve says. “Wasn’t it you who coached me on the importance of prioritizing yourself?Yourpleasure,yourneeds,yoursatisfaction?”

“I hate when you quote me to me.” I don’t really. Sometimes I make decent points. “I’ll think about it.” A call beeps in and I glance at my screen. “It’s Hayden. I should take this.”

Eve frowns. “He’s not being difficult, is he?”

“Actually, no. He’s been surprisingly calm about everything.”

Maybe a little too calm. I’m still embarrassed to acknowledge that his detached, composed response to this breakup kinda stings.

The phone beeps again and I bite the inside of my cheek. “He probably has an update on the house. Can I call you later?”

“Miss you!” Eve blows me a kiss and Sara does the same.

“Be brave, Camille,” she says. “We’re cheering you on from afar.”

God, I love my friends. “Thanks, guys.”

I blow a few kisses, then click off to take Hayden’s call.

“Hey there.” It’s a regular call and not video, so I relax back into my lounge chair. It’s right by the patio door, so I calm myself down by watching the sea. “I wasn’t expecting to hear from you today.”

“Good news,” he says. “The appraiser had a cancellation, so he squeezed us in early. I’ll email you the report. I think you’ll be pleased with the findings.”

“Thank you.” I trust Hayden to be fair and meticulous. Qualities I always admired in him.

It’s not his fault I wanted more.

“Hayden,” I start, not sure how to say it. “Are you doing okay?”

There’s a long, pregnant pause on the line. A stiff stretch of silence that fills up with doubt and uncertainty.

Dammit, he’s hurting. I knew behind his emotionless detachment there had to be more going on. “Hayden?” I hope he knows he can say anything to me. A decade together isn’t nothing. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

He lets out a long, ragged breath. “I’ve gotta be honest, I’m a little overwhelmed.”

“I’m so sorry.” Guilt stings the back of my throat. “I feel terrible for ending things so ungracefully. I was hurt and angry, but that’s no excuse for?—”

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