I move to join her. Rolling my shorts above my knees, I drop down next to her. The water is cool, refreshing against the humidity.
“The holidays were fun. Being an only child, I loved spending time with you all. My parents’ divorce during my first year meant home was not a happy place. Francesca and Robert offered me an escape. They made me feel welcome.”
“Mum enjoyed watching us all grow and develop. You became her adopted child. Dad was happy when she was happy.”
Francesca always made us welcome, and we respected and followed her rules. I still visit her if I’m in the area and supporther charity. I’ve even offered internships to the students she supports.
Kat gently swings her legs, sending ripples through the water.
“I’m sorry I didn’t trust you,” she says, turning her head, her eyes locking on mine.
I open my mouth, but close it again.
“After reading Zach’s letter again.” She sighs, her gaze returning to the water and her legs. “I’m truly sorry.”
I set my glass aside and rest my hands on the edge of the pool, leaning forward slightly and focusing on my legs and the water.
“It hurt,” I admit. “That you believed Sasha of all people over me.”
I turn to face her. My stomach twists.
“Why, Kat?”
She sighs. “You know I overheard Sasha and saw the tape of you and her at the hotel. She insinuated she was worried there was someone else, someone you were trying to hide your relationship from.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose hard as realisation dawns.
“And you thought that someone was you?”
Kat’s features remain unchanged, although her eyes darken.
“Shit, you really thought it was a line I was using.”
“Well, it would be perfect. Shag who you wanted, but tell them all to remain quiet about it.”
“But surely you knew how I felt about you. More importantly, how I felt about Darra and her friends, especially Sasha. I’d told you as much.”
Kat drops her chin to her chest and inhales.
“I didn’t believe them initially, but then there was more and more evidence. In the end, I couldn’t ignore the facts. However much I wanted to.”
I rub the back of my neck, trying to ease the growing tension. “You know, Darra probably hoped you’d go running to Elijah, tell him what was going on between us. Mine and Elijah’s friendship would have been over. I would have finally been out of the way.”
Kat moves her hand to rest against mine. Our little fingers touching. The way we did during our time together, when the others were around. It was our thing.
Kat sighs.
“She did get her wish. You left for the States after you graduated. She isolated Elijah from everyone who cared about him.”
We sit in silence, staring at the water.
“You tried to tell me it was a lie, and I wanted to believe you.” Kat’s voice sounds tired. “But the evidence was stacked against you. Sasha, Zach, the hotel, and then Eli.”
“Elijah?”
What the hell?
“When I asked about you and women, he laughed. He told me you had a flock of admirers, that there was always a harem of women following you around… I read it as confirmation. I thought you lied to me because you were afraid of what it’d mean to your relationship with Eli.”
