Page 47 of Vitamin Sea
Which was easier said than done.
Her mom graciously acquiesced and, sensing that Chloe didn’t have the mental capacity to respond in anything more than an affirmative ‘hmm’, ‘no way’, and ‘that’s funny’ manner, she talked. And talked. And talked.
Two hours later, Chloe was all caught up on the gossip about the neighbourhood, friends, family, and work. Her cousin Tracey, she was not surprised to hear, was engaged for the fourth time in almost as many years.
“We’re placing bets as to how this one pans out,” her mom said conspiratorially. “So let me know if you want in on the pool. Grandma Ryder has $100 on them not making it ’til Easter.”
Normally, Chloe would have eaten it up. She loved hearing about the goings-on in other people’s lives, especially Tracey’s. As much as she liked her cousin, she was a bit deranged when it came to her love life. But the fog of despair that had settled over Chloe made it difficult for her to focus on much of anything.
Liam was still staying with Karam, but Chloe knew that it was only temporary. Technically, Liam owned their condo so she would have to give it back to him at some point. They hadn’t communicated since the breakup, with the exception of Liam telling her via text a few days after he had dumped her that he was coming over to pick up a few things over his lunch hour.
Not that he had gone to Karam’s with only the clothes on his back. No, no. Liam was smarter than that. He had packed a few things into his gym bag and had apparently dropped it off at his friend’s place several days before he had dumped her.
Bastard.
How could he, she wondered, spend those few days sleeping next to her when he had every intention of breaking things off? Or maybe it had been going on for longer than that. Maybe he had been planning to break up with her for months. Had he just been keeping Chloe, his girlfriend, on the back burner while deciding if he wanted to pursue things with Sophia instead?
It hurt to think that her ex-partner might have been so Machiavellian towards her. So cruel.
Which was life, really. But that didn’t mean she liked it.
Unwilling to leave her condo and not wanting to face the world, she had hidden in the bathroom before noon. When Liam came to grab his things, he had noticed the closed bathroom door with light peeking out from under it and he had given a hesitant knock on the door.
“Chloe?” he asked.
Her stomach had clenched and her throat tightened before she replied in a scathing manner.
“Go to hell.”
Her voice was full of venom.
Present
Chapter 13: When in Rome
"I wasn’t sure what to wear,” Jack said wryly. “But I figured the Four Seasons wouldn’t take too kindly to me showing up in the lobby naked. I came to Costa Rica to see the sights. Which does not include the inside of a jail.”
Chloe giggled.
“Don’t worry, they don’t force you to take your clothes off here.”
Although,she thought to herself, she wouldn’t much mind if they implemented a mandatory no-clothes rule just for Jack. She had had a good look at him the day they went out on the catamaran and his body was, in a word, banging. He was muscled, but not overly so, with the lean build of a soccer player and abs you could clean clothes on.
Lala had gone over to Daniel’s resort for the day after double checking first to make sure Chloe would be okay.
“Of course!” Chloe said brightly. “I’m glad you’re getting on with Daniel. We’re here to relax and have fun so go and
have some fun!”
“Will do, Chlo! As long as you take some of that advice
for yourself.” She sounded happy as she set off towards her salad.
Chloe smiled. She was sure she was going to have a fun time with Jack.
It was so pleasant, she thought, to feel that flicker of interest in someone. She had known, of course, from previous breakups that while the heartbreak felt like it would last for an eternity and that she would never be attracted to another man again, that time would pass and there would be someone who would ignite that fire. She had just been with Liam for so long that she had thought it might take years for her to feel that spark again.
“So, what do you have planned for us today?” Jack said lightly. “I know I said naked yoga isn’t my thing, but if it’s important for your work assignment, I’m in.”
