Chapter 225

Hannah

“Wow, Amber,” I breathed, stepping into the vacation rental. My eyes widened as I took in the spacious living room, its vaulted ceiling and panoramic windows overlooking the mountains. “You really outdid yourself with this place.”

She really did. The rental she’d chosen was perfect for a week-long getaway, and she’d spared no expense. A tray of fresh, local cheeses, wrapped in paper, and two bottles of champagne awaited us on the entryway table. The whole place smelled like pine and vanilla.

Amber grinned, dropping her bags. “Only the best for my girls,” she said, throwing her arms around us. “Thank you all so much for coming with me. I really needed a few days to unwind after… well, you know.”

Viona squeezed her. “Of course. That’s what friends are for.”

Emma nodded. “And hey, look on the bright side. At least you found out before the wedding, right?”

Amber managed a weak smile. “Yeah, I guess that’s true.”

I felt a pang of guilt, remembering how we’d tricked Jake to obtain our evidence. But seeing Amber now, I knew we’d done the right thing. She deserved so much better than a cheating fiancé.

So much had happened since Amber learned about Jake’s infidelity. He’d confessed to countless hookups with other men before our little setup, his “friend” Doug being the first of many. He claimed he didn’t know he was gay when he and Amber started dating, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was that he’d never spoken to her, resorting instead to cheating. Amber, of course, kicked him out of their shared penthouse, forcing him to move in with his brother. And now here we were.

We spent the next half hour exploring the rental. It was even more impressive than the online pictures suggested: four spacious bedrooms—one for each of us—each with its own ensuite bathroom and jacuzzi; a gourmet kitchen with gleaming stainless steel appliances that would make any chef envious; and, best of all, a hot tub on the back deck with a stunning view of the misty mountains.

As we unpacked, a tiny sense of relief washed over me. It felt good to be away from home, away from Noah and the tension building between us. He’d wanted me to bring a bodyguard, but I’d refused, and for the first time in a long while, I felt… free.

“Earth to Hannah,” Viona’s voice broke through my thoughts. “You still with us, or are you off in la-la land already?”

I blinked, realizing I’d been staring out the window for several minutes. “Sorry, just admiring the view,” I said quickly.

Emma raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. Sure you weren’t thinking about a certain someone back home?”

I rolled my eyes. “Please. The whole point of this trip is to get away from all that drama.”

“Exactly,” Amber chimed in from the other room. “No boy talk allowed this weekend!”

We spent the rest of the afternoon playing board and card games in the spacious living room, snacking on the fancy cheese and crackers the host had left. As evening approached, Amber stretched and yawned.

“So, what’s the plan for dinner? Should we cook something here?”

Viona made a face. “On vacation? No way. Let’s go out somewhere nice.”

“I saw a fancy-looking restaurant in town when we drove in,” Emma suggested. “We could get all dressed up!”

“Perfect. I brought a new dress I’ve been dying to wear,” Amber purred.

Viona grinned. “We’ll have to take some pictures of you in it. For, you know, revenge.”

Amber rolled her eyes. “I don’t think it matters if my ex is gay, Vi. But… I’ll still take the pictures.”

An hour later, we were all dressed up and piling into the rental car. I’d slipped into a satin midi skirt and a black turtleneck that made me feel sexy, the soft satin pooling around my fuller hips as I sat in the back seat. Since the Lunar Festival, I’d gained two more pounds—and I considered that a win. Just fifteen more, and I’d be back to my original healthy weight before all the eating disorder nonsense.

The restaurant was even fancier than we expected. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the tables were set with crisp white linens and gleaming silverware. A host in a tuxedo greeted us at the door.

“Good evening, ladies. Do you have a reservation?”

“Um, no,” Amber said, chewing her lower lip. “Is that a problem?”

The host consulted his list. “I’m afraid we’re fully booked this evening. However…” He glanced over his shoulder at the bar. “I may be able to squeeze you in at the bar, if you don’t mind waiting a bit for a table to open up.”

We exchanged glances, then nodded. “That would be great, thank you,” I said.

We settled onto the plush bar stools, and a bartender approached with a smile. “Good evening, ladies. What can I get for you?”

“I’ll have a glass of your finest red,” Amber said, already pulling out her platinum card.

Viona smirked. “In a spending mood this week, huh?”

Amber blushed as the bartender walked away. “My parents… may have sent me a bit of extra cash to treat myself after what happened,” she admitted with a cheeky grin. “Tonight’s on me. Well… this whole week is on me.”

Viona, Emma, and I exchanged amused glances. Amber was easily the wealthiest among us; her family was a long line of business owners. They’d owned the first railroad company in Nightcrest back in the early 1800s, and their wealth had only expanded since. Now, they ran the biggest car manufacturer on the continent. Money was no object to them—and Amber had a tidy sum of her own, along with a fancy penthouse apartment, without ever having to lift a finger.

We spent the next few minutes debating which fancy dishes to order, from the truffle risotto to the lobster thermidor. I was just about to suggest we split a few different appetizers when I felt someone’s gaze on me.

Glancing to my left, I saw a man sitting a few stools down, watching me with interest. He was handsome, in a rugged sort of way, with salt-and-pepper hair and piercing blue eyes. When he caught me looking, he smiled.

I quickly looked away, feeling my cheeks heat up. What was wrong with me? I was still married, for crying out loud. Even if things with Noah were… complicated.

“Hannah? You okay?” Emma asked, noticing my distraction.

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Yeah, fine. Just… thinking about what to order.”

The bartender returned with our drinks. As I reached for mine, I felt a hand on my shoulder that nearly made me jump.

“Excuse me, miss.” I looked up to see those piercing blue eyes looking down at me. “May I pay for your drink?”