She studies her glass. “Still out.”
That’s unusual; normally we stick together when we go out. Then my eyebrows shoot up. “Did she meet someone in the bar?”
“Yeah. Kinda.”
“Kinda?” I frown at her. “What’s going on? Is she okay?”
“Maybe we should talk about this after you tell me what happened tonight.”
“No, come on! I want to know.”
She purses her lips. “She went home with someone.”
I give a short laugh. “She’s so bad. Who was it? Anyone I know?”
Lisa doesn’t reply. And then, finally, she lifts her gaze to mine and says, “It was Tamati.”
I stare at her. For the second time that evening, I feel as if I’ve been punched in the stomach. “She went home with him?”
“Yeah. He was in the bar with his mates, and he came over and asked where you were. We said you were with Kingi. He looked sort of upset for a bit, and Ria told him it was time he moved on. And he pulled up a stool and said ‘Oh, do you have anyone in mind?’ He started flirting with her. And she flirted back. And…” She shrugs.
I look at my wine, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. On the surface of it, there’s nothing wrong with what they did. Tamati and I are over. Ria knew that, and I told Tamati the other day, when he sat outside in the car. Our relationship was done, and I think they both knew I had no intention of going back with him.
So why does it sting so much? I can’t figure out my feelings. It feels as if they’ve both betrayed me, and that’s silly when they’ve done nothing wrong.
“I’m sorry,” Lisa says miserably. “I told her she shouldn’t do it, but she said you didn’t want him so why shouldn’t she have him?”
I have a big mouthful of wine. “She’s right. There’s absolutely no reason they shouldn’t see each other. Apart from the fact that he’s a bastard. She’s seen what he’s like. Why would she want him?!”
“I know! But that’s not the only issue. It’s not the done thing to go with a friend’s ex. We all know that. She didn’t know a hundred percent that you’d never get back with him—how could she when you don’t even know yourself?”
I suppose that’s it. Even though I’ve convinced myself it’s all over, even after what he said outside the dress shop, he’s my ex. We were in a relationship, and we had feelings for each other. It takes a while to sever those ties.
But I have no intention of getting back with him. “I’m glad,” I say fiercely. “She’s done me a favor. I can move on properly now.”
“Are you sure?” She gives me a doubtful look.
I nod. “Tamati and I were done, but it’s like pulling a fly off a spider’s web—all these sticky threads stretch for a minute until finally it comes free. I’m free now, though. It stings a bit, but I’m glad.”
She rubs her nose. “I was so upset when I got in.”
“Oh honey, it’s all right, it’s not your fault.”
“I know, but the three of us get on so well, and I didn’t know what would happen when you found out.”
Good places to rent are hard to come by, and the three of us were relieved when we found each other. Lisa will be worried that we’ve upset the applecart, and that’s not fair on her. I have to be the adult here.
“I know what Ria’s like,” I say firmly. “She’s impulsive and she doesn’t always think things through. But she’s loyal. She didn’t do it to hurt me. It’s not as if she slept with my boyfriend. She would have told herself that Tamati and I were over and put me out of her mind. It’s okay. Everything’s going to be fine.”
Lisa looks relieved. “Okay, I’m glad you feel that way. So, come on then. What happened at the ball?”
I tell her everything. By the time I finish, her brows have drawn together, and she looks almost as upset as I feel.
“How awful,” she says. “What a bitch.”
“Yeah,” I reply with feeling.
“Do you think she really is pregnant?”