Page 69 of The VIP Package

“Hold on,” he says. “What?”

“Our relationship.” Is that not what he meant? “I felt neglected and frustrated, but that didn’t give me the right to leave like I did instead of talking things through.” But I need to be clear on this next part. “You and I weren’t meant to be together, but I still owed you a proper goodbye.”

“Oh, that.” He chuckles a little. “I’m totally over it. No sweat, Cam.”

I must fall quiet a little too long because Hayden scrambles to elaborate. “No offense. I mean, we were great while we lasted, but we want different things.”

“You’re right.” What the fuck did he mean about being overwhelmed?

“I’m so busy right now with this merger.” He’s sounding distracted already. “I’ve billed more than eighty hours this week, and next week is more of the same. If we’d stayed together, you’d just be alone all the time.”

And there it is.

Confirmation that feeling alone in my relationship wasn’t just in my head.

Confirmation I did the right thing by moving on.

Clearing my throat, I perk up my voice with friendly interest. “I’m glad business is going well for you.”

“It’s bonkers right now.” He sounds more relaxed now that we’re talking about work. “I’m reviewing accounts for Holyfield Properties. That’s not privileged information, by the way—it’s a public merger.”

Does he even know where I am? “I’m staying at a Holyfield resort right now.”

“No kidding?” He chuckles. “You enjoying it?”

“Very much. It’s quite luxe.”

“That’s great, Cam. You deserve it. How’d you decide to go there?”

He really doesn’t know? “We booked our honeymoon at a Holyfield property. You picked it from the website I shared.”

“I did?”He chuckles again. “I’ve gotta be honest. I probably didn’t give it much thought. My secretary chose for me. I’m sure it’s great, though.”

“I didn’t go to our honeymoon resort. It’s another Holyfield property.”

“Hmm.” Has he tuned me out already? “That sounds nice.”

“It is.” I don’t know what makes me say it. Maybe an urge to see if there’s some part of Hayden that still cares for me?

“I’m here at a Jilted Brides Honeymoon Club resort.” When he doesn’t reply, I keep going. “An entire resort devoted to women’s sexual desires. It’s the same place Eve came when Brock cheated. Kit did that study here, remember?”

“That’s great, Cam.” Is he even listening? A keyboard clacks in the background, but Hayden’s always been good with multitasking.

“I’m really enjoying myself.” The clicking continues, and maybe the sound of a soda being opened. “Reallyenjoying myself.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Fuck this. “I’m sleeping with Ashton Holyfield.”

The keyboard stops clacking. “Really?”

I squeeze my eyes shut, feeling guilty already. “I didn’t do it to hurt you. And I swear to God, I never met the man while we were still together. I never in a million years would have cheated or?—”

“Hey, hey, slow down. We’re cool.” He chuckles a little at that. “I know you’re not like that.”

“Are you upset?” I honestly can’t tell from the tone of his voice. Maybe this should have been a video call. “Tell me what you’re feeling.”

“Excited.”

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