Chapter 0225

Hannah

“Wow, Amber,” I breathed as I stepped into the vacation rental. My eyes widened as I took in the spacious living room with its vaulted ceiling and panoramic windows overlooking the mountains. “You really outdid yourself with this place.”

She really did, too; the rental she had picked out was perfect for a week–long getaway, and she had spared no expense. A tray of fresh local cheeses wrapped in paper as well as two bottles of champagne were even waiting for us on the entryway table as we walked in, and the whole place smelled like pine

and vanilla.

Amber grinned and dropped her bags on the floor. “Only the best for my girls,” she said, throwing her arms around all three of us. “Thank you all so much for coming with me. I really needed a few days to unwind after… well, you know.”

Viona squeezed her tight. “Of course. That’s what friends are for.”

Emma nodded in agreement. “And hey, look on the bright side. At least you found out before the wedding, right?”

Amber managed a weak smile. “Yeah, I guess that’s true.”

I felt a pang of guilt, remembering how we had tricked Jake to get our evidence. But seeing Amber now, I knew we had done the right thing. She deserved so much better than a cheating fiance.

In the days that had followed since Amber learned about Jake’s infidelity, so much had happened. He had confessed to countless hookups with other men prior to our little setup; his ‘friend‘, Doug, being the first

of many.

He claimed that he didn’t know he was gay when he and Amber started dating, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was that he never talked to her, and instead resorted to cheating on her. Amber did, of course, kick him out of their shared penthouse–forcing him to move in with his brother.

And now here we were.

We spent the next half hour exploring the rental. It was even more impressive than the pictures online had suggested. Four spacious bedrooms, one for each of us, each with its own ensuite bathroom and jacuzzi. A gourmet kitchen with gleaming stainless steel appliances that would make any chef jealous. And best of all, a hot tub on the back deck with a stunning view of the misty mountains.

As we unpacked, I couldn’t help but feel a tiny sense of relief wash over me. It felt good to be away from home, away from Noah and all the tension that had been building between us. He had wanted me to bring a bodyguard on this trip, but I had refused, of course, and for the first time in a long while, I felt… free.

to Hannah,” Viona’s voice broke through my thoughts. “You still with us, or are you off

the window for several minutes straight. “Sorry, just

weren’t thinking about a certain

1/3

Chapter 0225

+25 BONUS

whole point of this trip

in from the other room. “No boy talk allowed

living room, snacking on the fancy cheese and crackers that the host left for

plan for dinner? Should we cook something

made a face. “On vacation? No way. Let’s go out

we drove in,” Emma


brought a new dress that

to take some pictures of

my ex is gay, Vi.

the rental car. I had slipped into a satin midi skirt and a black turtleneck that had me feeling

back seat.

considered that a win. Just another fifteen, and I would be

the ceiling, and the tables were set with crisp white linens and gleaming silverware. A host in a tuxedo greeted

evening, ladies. Do you have a

said, chewing on her

afraid we’re fully booked this evening. However…” He glanced over his shoulder at the bar. “I may be able to squeeze you in at the bar, if you don’t mind waiting a bit there for

nodded. “That would be

the plush bar stools, and a bartender approached us with a smile. “Good evening,

your finest red,” Amber

a spending mood this week, huh?” she

to treat myself after what happened,” she admitted with a cheeky grin. “Tonight’s on me, by the way. Well… This whole week is on

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