I sat cross-legged on the mat and she dropped onto the sand opposite me and mirrored my position.
For an uncomfortably long time, she gazed at me. In a lot of ways, it was like staring into a mirror. Our eyes were so similar.
In other ways, we were completely different. My hair was dark, hers was light. I was curvy, she was slim. I was pale, she was golden.
“I’m sorry about Thad.” The words fell from her lips on a gust of air, as if the apology had deflated her. “It was horrible of me to…to…sleep with him while you were together. You and I have always gotten along well and I hate being at odds like this. Especially when it’s my fault. I… I don’t know; I think I was so flattered by his attention that what we were doing felt naughty rather than just wrong.”
I stayed quiet. I didn’t particularly feel like accepting her apology, or her excuses, but dragging it out wouldn’t help anything either. Whatever happened, we’d always be family. There was no getting away from that. At some point, we’d have to bury the hatchet. Well, either that or I could become bitter for the rest of my life.
“Anyway,” she carried on, fidgeting with her hands, obviously nervous. “It just kind of happened, and after it did, I figured the damage was done, right? So it didn’t matter if I did it again.”
I supposed that answered the question as to whether it had been a one-time thing or an ongoing affair.
“How exactly did it ‘just happen?’” I asked, because honestly, that sounded a bit weak. “Did you magically find yourself inside his apartment? Did your clothes accidentally vanish? Did his dick just fall into your pussy?”
Her chin wobbled, but she held it high, accepting my snarky comments as her due. “We met at a bar one night. I was a bit drunk. He invited me back to his place to sober up, and it all spiraled out of control.”
“I see.” In a way, it was good to know the details, but I’d also be happy to never speak of the matter again.
“I swear, I never meant to hurt you.” Tears gleamed in her eyes. “I’m so ashamed of myself. I don’t like the person I’ve been lately, and I’m sorry about what an asshole Thad has been since we got here. I don’t know what his problem is, but I told him to pack his bags and leave. He won’t bother you anymore.”
I released a stuttered breath. “Thank you.”
She wriggled closer and glanced at my hands as if debating whether to reach for them but then opted not to. “I want to fix this. And for us to get along again. What can I do?”
The corner of my eye twitched. She looked so miserable and her apology seemed genuine, but it was all still too raw.
“I appreciate your apology.” I spoke softly, hoping that would cushion the blow. “And it’s nice that you want to try to make it up to me, but I’m not there yet. I never expected you to betray me like this and I need more time to be in an emotional place where I’m ready to forgive you. I’ll get there. Just, not yet.”
Tears welled in Coral’s eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I’m a horrible person. I’m so sorry.”
I grimaced, uncertain what to do. She’d hurt me, so I didn’t feel like comforting her, but she also seemed to be doing a pretty good job of beating herself up, and I didn’t want to add to the load.
“It’s not all bad,” I said eventually.
She looked up at me, crying silently now. “It’s not?”
I shrugged. “At least I know that Thad wasn’t the right person for me. If not for this, I might not have gotten together with Alec, and I’m pretty happy with how that worked out.”
The side of her mouth hitched up in the tiniest trace of a smile.
I started to smile back, but then I caught sight of the six-foot-plus man storming down the beach behind her, and my smile vanished.
Alec looked ready to rain fire and brimstone over the landscape.
Oh, shit.
SIXTEEN
ALEC
“What’s going on?” I demanded as I reached Tally and Coral.
I’d been disappointed upon waking alone. I’d wanted to make love to my new girlfriend. Based on the fact she was sitting there with a yoga mat, she’d come out to exercise and think, and that lessened my irritation. I could understand the need for space to work things through. What I didn’t understand was the cheating bitch keeping her company.
Tally met my gaze. Her eyes were dry and she didn’t seem upset, which was something, at least. “Coral is apologizing.”
