Page 10 of Baby for My Enemy Billionaire

“No, Carmen. I know what he’s said to you, and you shouldn’t believe it. He did the wrong thing, and I won’t forgive him for that.”

“He’s been saying he made a mistake and wants you to forgive him.”

“I know that, and I don’t forgive cheaters. So, can you do me a favor and drop it? I don’t want to be rude to you on your birthday weekend.”

Carmen shrugs and pushes off the bar.

“Fine. Just make sure you are enjoying yourself this weekend. There’s no harm in that, is there?”

I watch her saunter away, swaying a little as she joins the rest of our dancing crowd. She is a little drunk, so I can forgive her for bringing Nate up after not saying a word about him all day. Carmen is Nate’s friend, but she respects my decision and knows he was crap towards me. Now she’s had a few drinks, her filter is dropping.

What I do know for sure is that I will never get back with Nate. I can’t bring myself to forgive someone who would cheat on me, and the idea of giving him a second chance after lying to me for so long is not something I’m willing to think about. If he can cheat once, he can do it again. My trust in him would be shattered. That is not a relationship.

Nate should understand that. He can’t seriously think that I’m a fool.

Maybe I should think about another romance. One quick fling to take my mind off what happened with Nate. It would be fun and a way to get things out of my system. The ski resort is an excellent place to find a sexy single guy who wouldn’t mind a few hours of fun.

Like that dad who thought I was the one in the wrong. I think back to when I saw him in the dining room when he was with his daughter. He had been staring at me, and that stare of his was still pretty intense.

I would be lying if I hadn’t stared back at him. Damn, he is hot. Tall and lean with solid muscle. I have never seen shoulders that broad. He has to be an athlete. I remember both of his hands, which were bare—no wedding ring.

So, he was a single dad? Or did he not wear a wedding ring? I’m not sure if I want to find out and ask. That would just be embarrassing and make it look like there is going to be a thing between us. Besides, given how rude he was after I had my fall, I don’t want to have anything to do with him. I don’t like dealing with rude customers when I’m working, but that’s my job. I don’t need to deal with it off the clock. That’s not fair.

My bladder tells me I need to look for the bathroom, so I quickly finish my drink and signal to Maddison, who is nearby dancing with a young black man with his hands all over her. I gesture toward the restroom sign, and she gives me a thumbs-up. She seems more interested in the guy she’s just picked up, so I can’t see her coming to look for me for a while.

I find the restroom and take care of my bursting bladder. Splashing water on my face as I wash my hands, I wonder if it would be rude if I left now to go back to my room. I’ve brought a few books, just in case I get bored, and I’m looking forward to curling up in bed with one of them. It’s been two hours since the party started, so Carmen can’t complain that I haven’t been there. I should be able to slip away.

It’s not like I’m leaving the resort entirely.

Making up my mind—mostly for my throbbing head, I pick up my purse and leave the bathroom, only to almost run into a solid wall. Hands grasp my arms as I wobble, and my leg nearly gives way.

“I’m sorry, I….” Then I see who is holding me, and my heart sinks. “Nate?”

“Hey, Jade.” Nate gives me the crooked smile he usually gives me when trying to turn the charm on. “I thought you were going to take forever in there.”

What the hell is he doing here? I thought his invitation had been revoked after what he did. Carmen said that she had done that. I push his hands off me.

“What are you doing here?” I demand. “I thought you were told not to come anymore.”

“Carmen said that’s what you wanted, but she wanted me to come, so I was never uninvited.”

“What?”

“She said this would be a good time for you and me to talk now that you’ve calmed down.” Nate shrugs. “And I see her logic.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Is he saying that Carmen isn’t on my side? Did she arrange this? Part of me wants to confront her and shout at her for doing something she said she wouldn’t, but then Carmen would complain about me ruining her birthday. I don’t want to deal with that grief.

“I need to get better friends.” I turn away from Nate. “Well, you can go and celebrate with her. But leave me the hell alone.”

“Whoa, wait up, Jade!” Nate hurries after me. “Can’t we go somewhere quiet and talk? Like your room, perhaps? I know you and Maddison are sharing, but she looks busy.”

“Hell no!” I swing around on him. “Absolutely not. You and I are over. I’ve told you that so many times. Why don’t you go crawling back to Miranda and try to figure out how to win her back? Because you’re not getting me back.”

“She doesn’t want anything to do with me now,” Nate says bitterly. “She says that she was lied to and wants me to get out of her life completely after making her look like a fool.”

“Sounds like she’s thinking straight for the first time in ages. But that doesn’t mean you can come to me asking for a second chance because your side chick chose to throw you to the curb.”

“That’s not what I’m doing! I really do miss you. I regret doing what I did with Miranda.” Nate reaches for me, but I back away. “I love you, Jade. It’s always been you.”

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