I gathered what little dignity I had left, squared my shoulders, and headed back toward the party. I’d barely taken three steps into the corridor when a hand clamped around my wrist.
“There you are.” Kat yanked me back without ceremony. “We’re leaving.”
I stared at her. “What about your parents?”
“They’re staying. My father’s talking business with Santo’s dad, and my mother’s probably on her fourth glass of ouzo. They’ll be fine.”
I hesitated, but Kat was already storming ahead. I followed her wordlessly and slid into the waiting car. The second the door shut, and the driver pulled away, she turned on me with fury.
“You’re unbelievable.”
“Excuse me?”
“After everything I’ve done for you — bringing you here, letting you into my world — you show your gratitude by throwing yourself at Santo?”
“I didn’t throw myself at anyone,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I got my period and my dress stained.”
“Oh, please.” She scoffed. “Don’t play innocent. You were practically glowing when you walked out of his bathroom. He looked at you like you were dessert.”
“I can’t control how someone looks at me,” I protested.
“You liked it. Don’t pretend you didn’t.”
Now, she was regarding me with enough venom to distort her beautiful features, almost as if she’d become another person. I pleaded with her to listen.
“Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?” Her lip curled. “You said you didn’t want him, acted innocent, then seized the earliest opportunity to throw yourself at him.”
I groaned inwardly. There was no getting through with Kat. She believed me the villain and would stick to her story.
“You couldn’t resist, could you? You got an eyeful of the villa, took a guess at what Santo was worth, and made a play for him. You wanted to steal him from me. You want to sabotage my future.” She narrowed her eyes in contempt. “But let me tell you something, you fat bitch. No-account hoes like you are a dime a dozen in Santo’s book. He could stroll down any street in Athens and have three thirsty bitches throwing it at him. So don’t think for one second that what you did tonight had any effect.”
Sure, Kat. I masterminded my own uterus betraying me just to get Santo’s attention. Period Seductress, right here.
I turned in the seat to face her directly. “I’ve spent this entire trip holding my tongue, apologizing for not fitting your narrow definition of beauty, for not being Tammy. But I’m done.”
“Oh, wow. The fat Black girl’s the victim?” Kat sneered. “That’s original, coming from someone who seduced my boyfriend behind my back.”
“He’s not your boyfriend! You broke up years ago!” I could feel heat rising in my cheeks. “And I didn’t seduce anyone. I had a humiliating accident with my period, and Santo was kind enough to help me.”
Kat laughed.“So you admit you want him?” She leaned forward, her finger jabbing toward me. “You’re pathetic. Do you think a man like Santo would be interested in someone like you?”
The words stung, but I refused to wince. “Someone like me? You mean someone who doesn’t measure her worth by how many men look at her? Someone who has actual interests beyond marrying rich?”
“You sanctimonious bitch,” Kat hissed, her accent completely gone now. “You think you’re so much better than me because you waited to have sex?”
“No, Kat. I know I’m better than you because I don’t tear other women down to build myself up.”
She recoiled as if I’d slapped her. “Get out.”
I stared at her, uncomprehending. “What are you talking about?”
“Get out of my car.”
She couldn’t possibly mean that. I moved to placate her. Calm her down.
“Look, Kat, I understand you’re upset, and I think we both need to cool down. I’ll get my stuff from your house and then go to a hotel.”
“I said, get out of my car!” Her tanned face was flushed deep red, blue eyes popping with rage. “I don’t want you stepping foot in my house, you two-faced traitor!”
