Page 16 of Keeping Skylar
“Please don’t remind me. If Kaden weren’t so controlling and possessive 99.9% of the time, we could’ve had more nights like this.”
“Gah! He’s such a narcissistic prick who just needs to fuck off,” she bellows before changing the subject. “Any news on the apartment hunting?”
“No, not yet. Oh, I forgot to tell you. Loretta called this morning and offered me a six-month maternity leave position as one of the Pre-K teachers at her school. It’s only for half a year, but it’s more than enough to help me get by until I find something more permanent.”
“Holy shit, babe! That’s fantastic news! When do you start?”
“In six weeks, start of December. The first couple of weeks will just be the official handover, but the actual role doesn’t start until after the Christmas holidays, end of January. I know it’s still a long time away, but I’ve got enough savings to last me a few months if I do end up securing an apartment earlier and need to move in right away.”
Getting a job offer from Loretta was the highlight of my week. It made everything feel more real, more permanent. Things were falling into place and I could finally breathe a little. Now, if only the agency would get back to me with some good news, I’d be all set.
“You’ve accomplished half of your goal in less than a week. At this rate, you’ll be out of here before you know it. I’m not sure whether to feel happy or sad about that.” She feigns a dramatic sad face for effect.
I chuckle. “My friend, I’ll only be less than an hour and a half away by flight. We can do this.”
She nods and offers a warm smile. “I know. I’m just being a big baby. Pay no attention to me. I’m excited for you, Skylar. Truly,” she replies with deep sincerity. Kirstin scans the room, taking small sips of her drink from time to time. Minutes go by before she glances back at me and smirks. “I know you might not realise it, but almost every guy in this room is looking at you right now.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed,” I reply sheepishly as my cheeks flush with heat. I suppose when you’ve been in a relationship for so long, you begin to tune out your surroundings. That includes noticing other people or other people noticing you. I straighten my back and slowly assess the room.
I quickly spot a group of four men at a table two spots ahead of us, looking in our direction. One of them, a handsome, tall man with blond hair, lifts his drink up and grins at me the momentour eyes meet. Warmth spreads across my neck, and I quickly avert my gaze.Smooth, Sky. Real smooth.
Kirstin laughs at my awkwardness. “God, you’re adorable! It’s okay to have some flirty fun, babe. The arsehole doesn’t deserve your loyalty anymore. You’re young, sexy and can get any man in this room if you wanted. I think you should ...” Kirstin suddenly freezes, her posture stiffening and her eyes widening as she focuses on something behind me. She quickly reaches over and grips my forearm resting on the table.
“Kirstin, are you okay?”
“Hon, whatever you do, do not turn around.” She swallows hard, her hand still gripping my arm, her eyes fixed on whatever’s behind me.
“Why? What is it?” I ask, suddenly feeling really nervous.
“Your fucking husband just walked in the restaurant with Lucia.”
“What!” I gasp as every limb in my body tenses up. “Now is not the time to joke around, Kirstin.”
“Skylar, I would never joke about this. They’re here and talking to Jason at the hostess desk,” she explains, shaking her head in disbelief.
I slowly turn to face the direction of the hostess desk, feeling Kirstin’s grip tighten on my arm, but I brush it off. As soon as I peer over my shoulder, I see them—all three of them laughing and chatting amongst themselves like they’re all old buddies.
I have to admit, the expression on Jason’s face looks almost forced and uncomfortable. But the fact that he’s talking to them—the fact that he’s known about the affair and hasn’t said a word to me—feels like another fucking betrayal.
This night has just turned into my worst nightmare. As much as it hurts, I can’t seem to look away because my husband and his mistress look very much like a loved-up couple. Seeing Kaden’s arm slung over Lucia’s shoulders, while hers is wrappedfirmly around his waist, makes everything real now. The pain is just indescribable.
I quickly turn back around before they notice me glaring, and gaze at my friend, who appears to be just as stunned as I am. ‘What the fuck do we do, Kirstin?’ Tears well up in my eyes and spill down my cheeks. A wave of nausea hits me, and I feel like I can’t breathe. I need air.
Kirstin glances around the room, likely searching for the quickest way to escape. “The place is crowded, so I don’t think they’ll be able to spot us from back here. I saw an exit door next to the restrooms. Let’s get out from there.”
Without a second thought, we grab our purses and leap from our seats. I trail behind Kirstin towards the exit, holding tightly onto her elbow. As soon as we step outside, I immediately collapse against the wall.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I mutter, trying to keep the panic at bay. My hand instinctively goes to my chest as I try to take in as much air as possible.
Kirstin holds me by my arms, keeping me from collapsing on the ground. She’s mumbling something under her breath, but I can’t make out her words. “Skylar, honey. Breathe. I need you to breathe.”
I gaze up at her, my eyes watery and unfocused. My breathing grows heavier, and my body won’t stop trembling. Kirstin keeps a firm hold on me, helping me steady my breaths. We wait several more minutes until my breathing and heart rate slows. I lean back against the wall to support myself and Kirstin drops her hands from my arms.
“We need to start walking, okay,” Kirstin encourages me. I nod and take her hand. We’re almost at the car in the parking lot when I suddenly hear a familiar man’s voice call my name.
“Skylar?”
I instantly halt my steps, causing Kirstin to stumble back. Letting go of her hand, I slowly turn around to face the one person I once believed truly understood me and my situation. Standing before me is Kaden’s childhood friend and best man at our wedding, Jason Hawkins. His expression shifts rapidly from surprise to sheer nervousness.
