Page 243 of Reverse

She plucks the golden chain I brought off my dresser full of accessories and tosses it on the bed next to the bikini, completely unaware of the piece of the past she just added to her demands. “Put it on.”

Staring at the chain, a clear memory surfaces of Easton running a worshipful finger along it as I slowly rode him. Lush red lips parted, he looked up at me with a loved-soaked expression. He loved me, even then. In hindsight, I think he loved me before I left Seattle, as I did him.

“Natalie, this is something you can’t pass on—an opportunity.”

“To watch my ex-husband frolic with his new girlfriend on a Mexican beach? I’m good here.”

“Jesus, you know I don’t say this often, but you disappoint me. He married you. Marriedyou, Natalie. If you’ve got anything, you’ve got that. Now find your pride somewhere in the self-pity closet you’re hiding in and get dressed.”

When I don’t budge, Holly digs her heels in, arms crossed. “You still love him. This could be your last chance.”

“My last chance was the day he signed the divorce papers.”

“What?”

“Hindsight is a bitch, my friend—and Ihateher. Loathe her,” I say, swiping my drink back. “Despise, detest—dislike very strongly,” I giggle. “See? I’m perfectly capable of speaking. Easton’s always been the reason behind my damn impediment.”

“Get up!” She orders, prying the drink from my hand before walking over to the toilet and dumping it.

“No good can come of this,” I grumble, grabbing the bikini and chain before pushing her out of the bathroom and slamming the door in her smiling face.

“You’re going to burn in hell for this,” I grit out to Holly when Easton appears with Misty at his side, who looks ravishing in a gold bikini. Holly’s eyes bulge as she tries and fails to school her expression.

“Jesus, that bikini is so tacky,” she lies through her teeth.

“Please don’t,” I say. “I’ll hate you more for lying.”

She shrugs, mimosa in hand. “I mean, she’s not ugly.”

I lower my shades so Holly can clearly read my warning. Easton scouts the pool while Misty lays a towel on an oversized lounger. I sense it the minute his eyes find me and push my glasses back up. I made a fool out of myself last night—and I was okay with that—but he wasn’t at all receptive, and that’s the hardest pill to swallow. The imprint on that particular pill—he’s moved on.

“He’s looking.”

“Shut up and don’t look back.”

In a gift of divine intervention, Damon appears, blocking my view before taking a seat on the edge of my lounger. My small victory is cut short when he speaks up. “Oh, damn, I see I’ve arrived in time for the show.”

“Shut up,” I snap. “Both of you, thisisn’t funny. At all.”

“Well, you’ve got us,” Damon offers, “and because you do, I’ve taken the liberty of signing us up for an outing.”

“Thank God,” I exhale. “I don’t give a shit what it is. Sign us up foreverydamned excursion.”

“Don’tdo that,” Holly warns Damon. “And where are we going?”

He grins wickedly. “It’s a surprise.”

“But this is atouristy thing, right?” Holly wrinkles her nose. “It’s going to be boring.”

“So what, is there a bar?” I ask, my only condition.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be hooked up, lush,” Damon assures.

“Hey,” I hear uttered in a soft greeting. My body jerks to attention when Easton appears over Damon’s shoulder. Holly bolts upright in her lounger as Damon turns to look up at Easton. They both stare at him, temporarily starstruck, and I vow to disown them both as soon as we touch back down on Texas soil.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I just came over to check on you, see how your head’s doing.” Easton stands there, glowing beneath the sun that only highlights his perfection, his board shorts hanging on for dear life below the deep muscles of his hips. Holly’s tongue begins to roll out of her mouth as Damon and I speak up simultaneously.

“She’s a shit drunk—” Damon starts.

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