If I can stop thinking about the curvy, sexy Jade with beautiful eyes. She drives me insane, and not in a good way. I don’t know what hold she’s got on me, but it’s sudden and intense. It’s not something I’m comfortable with; the last time someone made me feel like this, it was Marsha. I had almost forgotten what that sensation felt like.

But why with her? Why with a woman who is rude and makes me want to throttle her? I didn’t think it was possible to dislike someone and yet want to see how she tastes at the same time. That is something for those silly romance novels Mom reads all the time. That’s not supposed to happen in real life.

And it’s definitely not happening here. I won’t fall for it. The sooner I get away from that Jade, the better for me.

Chapter 4

Jade

Thesoundofsnoringwakes me up from my slumber. It takes me a moment to remember that I’m in a hotel room with Maddison, and she’s deep into her sleep. I have no idea what time she came in. She must have been enjoying herself.

I’m glad she had fun. I just hope I don’t ruin the weekend for her like it’s been ruined for me.

Slipping out of bed, I tiptoe into the bathroom, relieving myself before I wash my hands and splash water on my face. I’m so tired even though I slept, mainly because my mind is still going over everything. My anger and frustration are simmering below the surface, and I feel it’s close to coming out.

I can’t believe Carmen would ignore me. She knew what Nate had done to me and promised that she had uninvited him from the weekend, saying she didn’t want me to be uncomfortable. I thought she valued our relationship.

Evidently, she doesn’t at all. True, she knew Nate first, but we were always hanging out. Carmen didn’t ask me not to come so Nate would not feel awkward; she took my side.

At least, I thought she did. What was she thinking?

Returning to the room, I get dressed as quietly as possible. An advantage of Maddison drinking so much when she did is she could be dead to the world. The snoring tells me she’s sucked into whatever dream she’s having. Surprisingly, it happens, but I’m grateful for it right now. She doesn’t deserve to have me ranting at her while she’s having a hangover.

I do know, though, that she will be just as pissed as I am when she hears that Nate is here.

Leaving the room, I make my way down to the dining room. A quick bite to eat, and then I’ll return to the slopes. I need something to distract me from what’s happening, and if Nate is hanging around the resort, I want to be away from him as much as possible. He can ski but is only a beginner, so he wouldn’t follow me onto the more challenging slopes.

Thank God.

Snagging a croissant from the breakfast table, I pour a glass of milk when I hear someone calling my name. I see Carmen approaching me, wearing an exquisite roll-neck sweater and jeans. She looks stunning, as always.

“Morning!” she says as she joins me and picks up the juice jug. “It looks like a perfect day today. How about we chill in the hot tub after breakfast?”

“No, thanks. I’m going out skiing, and then I’ll be heading home.”

“Come on, Jade. You said you wanted to get into the hot tub at some point, and it would be perfect after an awesome party.”

I glare at her.

“And you want to put me in another situation where I’m cornered by my ex again? Why is he here, Carmen? I thought you said he wouldn’t be coming.”

Carmen sighs.

“Honey, Nate loves you. He knows he made a mistake and is trying to apologize to you. What’s wrong with that?”

“And you think doing it at your birthday party is a good idea? If I wanted to forgive him?”

“It’s a party. And it would be your present to me.”

I can’t help but laugh at that. It’s so ludicrous.

“I can’t believe you. I’m not about to forgive someone for cheating on me. He slept with someone else, Carmen! I told you that, or did you forget?”

“Jade,” Carmen starts to protest.

“I had my heart broken by that piece of crap, and I want nothing more to do with him. He’s not getting a second chance at all.” I shake my head, wondering how I didn’t notice that my friend was ignoring my wishes. “I came here because I trusted that you had told Nate to stay away. Instead, you disrespected my wishes not to have anything to do with him. Why are you standing up for him?”

Carmen looks uncomfortable as she sips her drink.