Page 36 of Power Plays & Proposals

I started counting off the things wrong with my life. "I'm in mountains of debt, I lost the job at the salon and flower shop. And the best relationship I've ever had is fake. It has to end."

She looked like she was considering my words, "Okay, starting from the top. Is there any debt forgiveness program you can do?"

"I'm stuck with the student loans until they're paid off or I die."

"So you need more income. Have you thought about starting your own salon?"

"That's my dream," I looked at Maria lovingly, "I like working at the bakery, but I love doing hair and helping people feel pretty."

Maria smiled, "I know. I've always known the bakery was just a temporary stop for you. But you still better help me decide on new flavors."

"But I still don't have money. So opening a salon isn't possible, and all the salons have told me no after seeing Erin's video."

"What about Crestfield?" Beth asked. "There's a little salon there, but they get a lot of high-end clients. It could make the commute worth it."

Crestfield was a strange cross between small town and high society. From the stories they shared I knew that a portion of the community treated their houses in Crestfield like their own version of the Hamptons. Then there were people like Kim who just ignored the rich class and went about their lives.

Kim nodded. "They do a lot there and I was just helping them with the website. Want me to give her your info?"

"I'll take all the help I can get." Except Nate's money. The idea of taking the money he offered in exchange for dating him gave me the biggest ick factor. With things busier at the bakery, a refund on a plane ticket I’d canceled, and no rent due, I was able to make the minimums on my bills this month, and should have enough for next.

"Which leaves us with the best relationship you've ever had." Maria said, "Are you sure he doesn't want things to be real?"

That made me snort. "Oh please. We just text and hang out a little for the press. I'll never be good enough to date someone like him for real."

The room went silent as they all stared at me, righteous fury in their eyes.

"Don't talk about yourself that way," Maria said. "You are more than enough."

"So totally enough." Charlotte agreed.

"If I was enough I wouldn't have been fired and my ex wouldn't have cheated on me."

Maria's eyes narrowed at that tidbit. It was the most I'd ever shared.

Their patient gazes bore into me, each one silently urging me to open up. Shame and pain twirled inside me, wrapping around my heart like barbed wire. For too long, I'd carried this burden alone, suffocating under its weight. But now, faced with the compassionate eyes of my friends, I felt a flicker of hope stirring within me. I was tired of hiding, tired of pretending that everything was okay when it wasn’t. With a trembling breath, I steeled myself to face the painful memories.

"I came home one night and found him kissing my cousin. They didn't even notice I'd walked into the apartment I shared with her."

"Please tell me you kicked him in the groin?" Hannah asked hopefully.

I shook my head. "No, I went to my parent's house and told them I'd left my textbook there. I couldn't go back to the apartment, or back to campus where I knew I'd run into them. When I got up the next morning I threw some clothes in a suitcase and caught the first plane out of there. I used the last of my student loans to get my apartment here and some cheap furniture."

"How long were you with him?"

"Eight years. We started dating when he was a senior at my high school, and then he convinced me to go to college with him. He mapped out our entire future together. I’d get my business degree so I could help manage his private practice after he finished medical school. Turns out he was cheating on me the whole time."

There were gasps around the room.

"No wonder you haven’t wanted to date. That’s a serious violation of trust." Maria scooted her chair closer to me. "You never confronted him?"

"No. I blocked his number." Shame overwhelmed me. "I'm such a coward."

Sofie placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. I hadn't realized she’d left her chair. "You went cold turkey. That's impressive. We've all seen good women get dragged into a cheater's whirlwind. You got out of it."

"I'm not so sure of that. He married her."

"Shotgun wedding?" Gabby asked.

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