Page 96 of Reputation (Tempt)

“Emmy! Hey!” She looked so happy. So relaxed.Like someone newly engaged would.I needed to channel that energy. “I’m so glad I finally caught you!”

“Yeah. Sorry.” I cringed. “Things have been crazy here.”

“I bet. Well…” She smiled. “I just wanted to call and wish my best friend congratulations.”

I tried to ignore my own image and hoped I looked equally as overjoyed. The orgasms certainly helped. “Thank you.” I didn’t feel like much of a best friend at the moment.

“How’s Paris?” I asked, eager to focus her attention away from me and my surprise engagement.

“Good. We decided to stay another week and then head home. How’s Abu Dhabi?”

“Beautiful,” I said. “And the Huxley Grand here is unreal.” I panned the camera around so she could see my room and the scenery, even if it was nighttime.

“Looks nice.” She leaned forward. “So…you and Nate, huh?”

“Me and Nate,” I said, not sure what elsetosay.

She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth then asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Honestly…” I said, knowing I should’ve anticipated this. Her tone wasn’t accusatory or hurt. Just…confused. We were best friends. We’d always told each other everything. Or almost everything. “At first, I wasn’t even sure it would last. And then I didn’t tell you because I was embarrassed.”

“What?” She jerked her head back. “Why?”

“Because I went on and on about how I couldn’t stand him. And he was my boss.”

She frowned. “You know I’d never judge you.”

“I know. I just—” I huffed. “You had a lot going on with your mom and Knox. And by the time I was finally ready to tell you about Nate, things had fallen apart with Knox.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t a better friend,” she said, and I hated myself for ever making her think that.

“Kendall.” I frowned. “No. That’s not what?—”

“I know.” She waved a hand through the air. “I know that’s not what you were trying to say, but I still wish I’d been there for you. Not so wrapped up in my own life.”

“You’ve always been there for me.”

“Well, I’m going to be more aware of it. Starting now. Gah. I have so many questions,” she said. “Like when it started. And how it happened.” She gasped. “Wait. The Birkin. Were you together then?”

I nodded, sticking to the timeline Nate and I had agreed to. Letting Kendall fill in the blanks.

I was so tempted to tell her the truth. To just blurt it all out and be done with it. But I couldn’t. Even though I knew Kendall would never judge me for what I’d done, I just… She’d always been such a rule-follower that I wasn’t sure she’d understand my decision. Or, worse still, be disappointed in me. But it was more than that. I couldn’t break my promise to Nate. I couldn’t risk jeopardizing Brooklyn’s future.

She smirked. “I should’ve known. I mean, who buys their nanny a $20,000 purse for her birthday?”

“Right?” I laughed, trying to play off my discomfort.

“And now your anxiety about attending Brooklyn’s play makes more sense,” she said, and I merely nodded. “I’m glad he’s spoiling you. You deserve it. Especially after the last douchenozzle you dated.”

“You’re one to talk,” I joked.

“Hey! Jude has come a long way,” she said, referring to Knox’s son and her ex.

“I’m glad to hear it, but he’s no Knox.”

“No.” She smiled dreamily, glancing down at her engagement ring. “He’s not. No one is.”

“So have you guys made any plans for your wedding?” I asked, latching on to a safer topic. A better topic than my relationship with Nate. “Do you think you’ll have a big wedding?”

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